David Bruce (born Marden Andrew McBroom; January 6, 1916 – May 3, 1976)Wilson, Scott (2016).
"Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed."
'. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 96. . """California, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGXB-2S6G : Fri Apr 04 00:36:36 UTC 2025), Entry for Marden A McBroom and Vernon McBroom. was an American film actor. He was a company member of Peninsula Players Theatre in Fish Creek, Wisconsin in 1939.

Life and career

Born Marden Andrew McBroom in

Kankakee, Illinois Kankakee ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. Located on the Kankakee River, as of 2020, the city's population was 24,052. Kankakee is a principal city of the Kankakee-Bourbonnais-Bradley, IL MSA, Kan ...

(but always known as Andy to his friends), Bruce was the second of four children born to prominent Kankakee

restaurateur A restaurateur is a person who opens and runs restaurants professionally. Although over time the term has come to describe any person who owns a restaurant, traditionally it refers to a highly skilled professional who is proficient in all aspe ...

Vernon McBroom and his wife, the former Neva Voorhees."United States, Census, 1920", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ4F-KGY : Wed Jan 08 14:58:56 UTC 2025), Entry for Vernon W McBroom and Neva M McBroom, 1920."United States, Census, 1930", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSBQ-5Q5 : Wed Jan 22 00:33:58 UTC 2025), Entry for Vernon W Mcbroom and Neva M Mcbroom, 1930."Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9G-7RCD : Sun Jan 12 05:12:39 UTC 2025), Entry for Vernon Mcbroom and Neva Voorhees, 04 Dec 1907. He attended

Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...

in 1934 intending to study law but became a drama major. In 1940, after extensive travel for theater work, McBroom made his way to California and signed with a Hollywood agent, Henry Willson. The agent changed his name to David Bruce and got him a stock contract at

Warner Brothers Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI), commonly known as Warner Bros. (WB), is an American filmed entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California and the main namesake subsidiary of Warner Bro ...

. Bruce's first role was in the Errol Flynn movie '' The Sea Hawk'' (1940). The actor was released from his Warner's contract to join the Naval Air Force at the outset of World War II, but he was discharged due to a chronic ear infection. After appearing in the

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...

movie ''

Flying Tigers The First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Republic of China Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was formed to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China. Operating in 1941–1942, it was composed of pilots from the United States Ar ...

'' (1942),

Universal Pictures Universal City Studios LLC, doing business as Universal Pictures (also known as Universal Studios or simply Universal), is an American filmmaking, film production and film distribution, distribution company headquartered at the 10 Universal Ci ...

offered him a long-term contract. At the war's end, Universal did not renew Bruce's contract. During the 1950s, Bruce acted in several Columbia pictures, appeared on television, and wrote for television.

Personal life

He met his future wife, Cynthia Sory when she directed him in a Northwestern University production of Henry IV. Bruce was the father of singer-songwriter

Amanda McBroom Amanda McBroom (born August 9, 1947) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Notable among the songs she has written is " The Rose", which Bette Midler sang in the film of the same name, and which has been sung by many other recording art ...

, who wrote the song '' The Rose'', made popular by

Bette Midler Bette Midler ( ;''Inside the Actors Studio'', 2004 born December 1, 1945) is an American actress, comedian, singer, and author. Throughout her five-decade career Midler has received List of awards and nominations received by Bette Midler, numero ...

. His daughter wrote a tribute to her father in a song titled "Errol Flynn." He was also the father of John Jolliffe, a psychologist in Orange County, CA.

Death

Bruce withdrew from acting after 1956. His wife died after a lengthy illness in 1962. Bruce eventually returned to Kankakee to work for a relative's promotional film company. Amanda McBroom's own burgeoning Hollywood acting career paved the way for Bruce's return to acting. Bruce died from a heart attack in Venice, California at the age of 60, immediately after wrapping his first scene on the film ''Moving Violations''. His remains were cremated by the

Neptune Society The Neptune Society, Inc. is an American funeral home-based provider of cremation services that was founded in Plantation, Florida. History The Neptune Society was established in 1973 and was incorporated in 1985. In 1999, the Neptune Societ ...

, and his ashes scattered.

Legacy

Errol Flynn song

Amanda McBroom says that the lyrics to her song about her father, ''

Errol Flynn Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959) was an Australian and American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, frequent partnerships with Oliv ...

'', are "absolutely" true, including that Errol Flynn was one of Bruce's best friends." Amanda McBroom confirms that excessive drinking "destroyed him for a while." The lyric that Bruce "died with his boots on" does not refer to the Errol Flynn movie (which Bruce did not appear in) but rather to the manner in which David Bruce died, on a film set as a working actor. The lyrics of the song, however, contradict that statement: "It's my daddy, the actor, 'bout to die with his boots on, he's the man standing up there next to old Errol Flynn."

Selected filmography

* '' The Man Who Talked Too Much'' (1940) – Gerald Wilson * '' The Sea Hawk'' (1940) – Martin Burke * '' River's End'' (1940) – Balt * ''

Money and the Woman ''Money and the Woman'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by William K. Howard and written by Robert Presnell Sr.. The film stars Jeffrey Lynn, Brenda Marshall, John Litel, Lee Patrick, Henry O'Neill and Roger Pryor. The film was releas ...

'' (1940) – Bank Depositor (uncredited) * ''

Knute Rockne All American ''Knute Rockne, All American'' is a 1940 American biographical film that tells the story of Knute Rockne, Notre Dame's legendary football coach. It stars Pat O'Brien as Rockne and Ronald Reagan as player George Gipp, as well as Gale Page, Do ...

'' (1940) – Reporter When Knute is Ill (uncredited) * ''

A Dispatch from Reuters ''A Dispatch from Reuters'' is a 1940 biographical film about Paul Reuter, the man who built the famous news service that bears his name. The film was directed by William Dieterle and stars Edward G. Robinson. Plot Paul Reuter starts a messen ...

'' (1940) – Bruce * ''

East of the River ''East of the River'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Alfred E. Green and written by Fred Niblo, Jr. The film stars John Garfield, Brenda Marshall, Marjorie Rambeau, George Tobias, William Lundigan and Moroni Olsen. The film was re ...

'' (1940) – Student (uncredited) * '' The Letter'' (1940) – Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century route through central North America that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell, who departed from the Boonslick region along the Missouri River, the ...

'' (1940) – Phil Sheridan * ''

Flight from Destiny ''Flight from Destiny'' is a 1941 American drama film noir directed by Vincent Sherman and written by Barry Trivers. The film stars Geraldine Fitzgerald, Thomas Mitchell, Jeffrey Lynn, James Stephenson, Mona Maris and Jonathan Hale. The f ...

'' (1941) – Saunders * '' The Sea Wolf'' (1941) – Young Sailor * ''

Singapore Woman ''Singapore Woman'' is a 1941 American romantic drama film directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Brenda Marshall, David Bruce and Virginia Field. The Warner Bros. B picture is a remake of '' Dangerous'' (1935) using leftover sets from '' ...

'' (1941) – David Ritchie * ''

Sergeant York Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964), also known by his rank as Sergeant York, was an American soldier who was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I. He received the Medal of Honor fo ...

'' (1941) – Bert Thomas * '' The Smiling Ghost'' (1941) – Paul Myron * '' The Body Disappears'' (1941) – Jimmie Barbour * ''

Highways by Night ''Highways by Night'' is a 1942 American crime drama film directed by Peter Godfrey from a screenplay by Lynn Root and Frank Fenton, based on the story ''Silver Spoon'', by Clarence Budington Kelland. The film stars Richard Carlson and Jane ...

'' (1942) – Herman – Desk Clerk (uncredited) * ''

'' (1942) – Lt. Barton * '' How's About It'' (1943) – Oliver * '' Honeymoon Lodge'' (1943) – Horace Crump aka Bob Sterling * '' Corvette K-225'' (1943) – Lt. Rawlins * '' You're a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith'' (1943) – Harvey Jones * '' The Mad Ghoul'' (1943) – Ted Allison * ''

She's for Me ''She's for Me'' is a 1943 American musical film directed by Reginald LeBorg and starring Grace McDonald and David Bruce. Plot Two attorneys are attracted to the same client Cast * Grace McDonald as Jan Lawton * David Bruce as Michael ...

'' (1943) – Michael Reed * '' Calling Dr. Death'' (1943) – Robert Duval * '' Gung Ho!'' (1943) – Larry O'Ryan * '' Ladies Courageous'' (1944) – Frank Garrison * '' Moon Over Las Vegas'' (1944) – Richard Corbett * '' South of Dixie'' (1944) – Danny Lee * '' Christmas Holiday'' (1944) – Gerald Tyler * '' The Mummy's Ghost'' (1944) – Radio Announcer (voice, uncredited) * '' Allergic to Love'' (1944) – J. Roger Mace * '' Can't Help Singing'' (1944) – Dr. Robert Latham * '' Salome Where She Danced'' (1945) – Cleve * '' Lady on a Train'' (1945) – Wayne Morgan * '' That Night with You'' (1945) – Johnny * '' Susie Steps Out'' (1946) – Jeffrey Westcott * '' Racing Luck'' (1948) – Jeff Stuart * '' Adventures of Don Juan'' (1948) – Count D'Orsini (uncredited) * '' Joe Palooka in the Big Fight'' (1949) – Tom Conway * '' The Sickle or the Cross'' (1949) – George Hart * ''

Prejudice Prejudice can be an affect (psychology), affective feeling towards a person based on their perceived In-group and out-group, social group membership. The word is often used to refer to a preconceived (usually unfavourable) evaluation or classifi ...

'' (1949) – Joe Hanson * '' Young Daniel Boone'' (1950) – Daniel Boone * '' The Great Plane Robbery'' (1950) – Carter * '' Timber Fury'' (1950) – Jim Caldwell * '' Hi-Jacked'' (1950) – Matt * '' Pygmy Island'' (1950) – Maj. Bolton * '' Revenue Agent'' (1950) – Cliff Gage * '' The Du Pont Story'' (1950) – A young du Pont * '' Pier 23'' (1951) – Charles Giffen * '' The Great Adventures of Captain Kidd'' (1953) – Alan Duncan * '' The Iron Glove'' (1954) – Austrian Sergeant at Tavern (uncredited) * '' Cannibal Attack'' (1954) – Arnold King * '' Masterson of Kansas'' (1954) – Clay Bennett * '' Jungle Hell'' (1956) – Dr. Paul Morrison * ''

Moving Violation A moving violation or traffic violation is any violation of the law committed by the driver of a vehicle while it is in motion. The term "moving" distinguishes it from other motor vehicle violations, such as paperwork violations (which include ...

'' − Reporter 1 (final film role)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bruce, David American male film actors Male actors from Illinois People from Kankakee, Illinois 1916 births 1976 deaths 20th-century American male actors