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James Whitmore

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Birthdate

1921-10-01

Day of Death

2009-02-06

Place of Birth

White Plains, New York, USA

James Whitmore

Biography

James Allen Whitmore Jr. (October 1, 1921 – February 6, 2009) was an American film, theatre, and television actor. During his career, Whitmore won three of the four EGOT honors; - a Tony, a Grammy, and an Emmy. Whitmore also won a Golden Globe and was nominated for two Academy Awards. Following World War II, Whitmore appeared on Broadway in the role of the sergeant in Command Decision. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer gave Whitmore a contract, but his role in the film adaptation was played by Van Johnson. His first major picture for MGM was Battleground, in a role that was turned down by Spencer Tracy, to whom Whitmore bore a noted physical resemblance. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role, and won the Golden Globe Award as Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role. Other major films included Angels in the Outfield, The Asphalt Jungle, The Next Voice You Hear, Above and Beyond, Kiss Me, Kate, Them!, Oklahoma!, Black Like Me, Guns of the Magnificent Seven, Tora! Tora! Tora!, and Give 'em Hell, Harry!, a one-man show for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of former U.S. President Harry S Truman. In the film Tora! Tora! Tora!, he played Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey. Whitmore appeared during the 1950s on many television anthology series. He was cast as Father Emil Kapaun in the 1955 episode "The Good Thief" in the ABC religion anthology series Crossroads. Other roles followed on Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theater, Lux Video Theatre, Kraft Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Schlitz Playhouse, Matinee Theatre, and the Ford Television Theatre. In 1958, he carried the lead in "The Gabe Carswell Story" of NBC's Wagon Train, with Ward Bond. Whitmore has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6611 Hollywood Boulevard. The ceremony was held on February 8, 1960.

Filmography (82)

⭐ 7.1 Role: Self (archive footage)

Arthur Miller: Writer

2017
No Image
⭐ 0 Role: Unknown

Meet Mr. Miracle-Gro: The Horace Hagedorn Story

2005
⭐ 7.6 Role: Lou Hopke in Shadow in The Sky (archive footage)

Los Angeles Plays Itself

2004
No Image
⭐ 8.0 Role: Self

Cole Porter in Hollywood: Too Darn Hot

2003
⭐ 6.6 Role: Grandfather

A Ring of Endless Light

2002
⭐ 6.8 Role: Stan Keller

The Majestic

2001
⭐ 10.0 Role: Gus Corley

Here's to Life!

2000
⭐ 5.8 Role: Daniel Morissey

Swing Vote

1999
⭐ 6.0 Role: Dr. Albert Frock

The Relic

1997
⭐ 8.2 Role: Self

Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick

1995
⭐ 8.7 Role: Brooks Hatlen

The Shawshank Redemption

1994
⭐ 9.0 Role: Leinen Roth

Old Explorers

1990
⭐ 4.0 Role: Gus Johnson

Sky High

1990
⭐ 8.0 Role: Lester Babbitt

Glory! Glory!

1989
⭐ 6.3 Role: Judge Stanley Murdoch

Nuts

1987