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James Allen Whitmore Jr. (October 1, 1921 – February 6, 2009) was an American actor. He received numerous accolades, including a
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally held every Janua ...
, a
Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...
, a
Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Owned and operated by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the P ...
, a Theatre World Award, and a
Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...
, plus two
Academy Award The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...
nominations.


Early life

James Allen Whitmore Jr. was born in
White Plains, New York White Plains is a city in and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is an inner suburb of New York City, and a commercial hub of Westchester County, a densely populated suburban county that is home to about one milli ...
, to Florence Belle (née Crane) and James Allen Whitmore Sr., a park commission official, Whitmore attended Amherst Central High School in Snyder, New York, for three years, before transferring to the Choate School in
Wallingford, Connecticut Wallingford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, centrally located between New Haven, Connecticut, New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, Hartford, and Boston and New York City. The town is part ...
, on a football scholarship. He went on to study at
Yale College Yale College is the undergraduate college of Yale University. Founded in 1701, it is the original school of the university. Although other Yale schools were founded as early as 1810, all of Yale was officially known as Yale College until 1887, ...
, but he had to quit playing
American Football American football, referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada and also known as gridiron football, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular American football field, field with goalposts at e ...
after severely injuring his knees."James Whitmore dies at 87" by Dennis McLellan. Los Angeles Times, February 7, 2009. After giving up football, he turned to the Yale Dramatic Society and began acting. While at Yale, he was a member of
Skull and Bones Skull and Bones (also known as The Order, Order 322 or The Brotherhood of Death) is an undergraduate senior Secret society#Colleges and universities, secret student society at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The oldest senior-class ...
, and was among the founders of the Yale radio station (the student-run WOCD-AM, later renamed WYBC-AM). Whitmore planned on becoming a lawyer and graduated with a major in government from Yale University.


Military service

In
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1942 while finishing his degree, which he completed in 1944. In the Marines, he trained at Parris Island and
Quantico, Virginia Quantico (; formerly Potomac) is a town in southeastern Prince William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 578 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. Quantico is approximately 35 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., bound ...
, and Officers Candidate School, and was commissioned a second lieutenant. After further training he was assigned to the 4th Marine Division on
Saipan Saipan () is the largest island and capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, an unincorporated Territories of the United States, territory of the United States in the western Pacific Ocean. According to 2020 estimates by the United States Cens ...
in July 1944. While at
Tinian Tinian () is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Together with uninhabited neighboring Aguiguan, it forms Tinian Municipality, one of the four constituent municipalities of the Northern ...
, he contracted
amoebic dysentery Amoebiasis, or amoebic dysentery, is an infection of the intestines caused by a parasitic amoeba '' Entamoeba histolytica''. Amoebiasis can be present with no, mild, or severe symptoms. Symptoms may include lethargy, loss of weight, coloni ...
and was hospitalized. Following his hospitalization, he served guard duty at the
Panama Canal Zone The Panama Canal Zone (), also known as just the Canal Zone, was a International zone#Concessions, concession of the United States located in the Isthmus of Panama that existed from 1903 to 1979. It consisted of the Panama Canal and an area gene ...
until his discharge in March 1946.


Career


Film and television

Whitmore appeared on Broadway in the role of the sergeant in '' Command Decision.'' His first major picture for MGM was '' Battleground,'' in a role that was turned down by
Spencer Tracy Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing style and versatility. One of the major stars of Classical Hollywood cinema, Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was the ...
. He was nominated for the
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It has been awarded since the 9th Academy Awards to an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in ...
for this role, and won the
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally held every Janua ...
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! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs's 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...
'', '' Black Like Me'', '' Guns of the Magnificent Seven'', '' Tora! Tora! Tora!'', and '' Give 'em Hell, Harry!'', a one-man show for which Whitmore was nominated for the
Academy Award for Best Actor The Academy Award for Best Actor is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It has been awarded since the 1st Academy Awards to an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading ...
for his portrayal of former U.S. President
Harry S Truman Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. As the 34th Vice president of the United States, vice president in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the death of Frank ...
. In the film ''Tora! Tora! Tora!'', he played Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey. Whitmore appeared during the 1950s on many television
anthology series An anthology series is a written series, radio, television, film, or video game series that presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a different ca ...
. He was cast as Father Emil Kapaun in the 1955 episode "The Good Thief" in the ABC religion
anthology series An anthology series is a written series, radio, television, film, or video game series that presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a different ca ...
'' Crossroads''. Other roles followed on '' Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theater'', ''
Lux Video Theatre ''Lux Video Theatre'' is an American television anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1957. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays. Overview The ''Lux Vi ...
'', '' 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 ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western television series that aired for eight seasons, first on the NBC television network (1957–1962) and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and reached the top of the ...
'', with
Ward Bond Wardell Edwin Bond (April 9, 1903 – November 5, 1960) was an American character actor who appeared in more than 200 films and starred in the NBC television series ''Wagon Train'' from 1957 to 1960. Among his best-remembered roles are Bert th ...
.(S1 E18 which aired 1/14/1958). In 1963, Whitmore played Captain William Benteen in ''
The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology series, anthology television series created by Rod Serling in which characters find themselves dealing with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described ...
'' episode " On Thursday We Leave for Home". Whitmore also appeared in '' Route 66'' on January 18, 1963, as Ralph Vincent in “A Gift for a Warrior.” He appeared twice in '' Twelve O'Clock High''. In 1965, Whitmore guest-starred as Col. Paul "Pappy" Hartley in Season 1, Episode 32 "The Hero" and as Col. Harry Connelly in 1966 Season 3, Episode 12 "The Ace". He also appeared in an episode of '' Combat!'' titled "The Cassock", as a German officer masquerading as a Catholic priest. In 1967, he guest-starred as a security guard in '' The Invaders'' episode, "Quantity: Unknown". That same year, Whitmore also appeared on an episode of ABC's '' Custer'' starring Wayne Maunder in the title role. In 1968, he appeared as head of the Simian Assembly in the ''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is a science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, post-apocalyptic world in which humans and intelligent apes c ...
.'' In 1969, he played the leading character of Professor Woodruff in the TV series '' My Friend Tony,'' produced by NBC. Whitmore also made several memorable appearances on the classic ABC
Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...
'' The Big Valley'' starring Barbara Stanwyck, and the classic NBC Western '' The Virginian'' starring
James Drury James Child Drury Jr. (April 18, 1934 – April 6, 2020) was an American actor. He is best known for having played the title role in the 90-minute weekly Western television series '' The Virginian'', which was broadcast on NBC from 1962 ...
, during the second half of the 1960s. From 1972 to 1973, Whitmore played Dr. Vincent Campanelli in the short-lived ABC medical sitcom '' Temperatures Rising''. Whitmore appeared as General
Oliver O. Howard Oliver Otis Howard (November 8, 1830 – October 26, 1909) was a career United States Army officer and a Union Army, Union General officer, general in the American Civil War, Civil War. As a brigade commander in the Army of the Potomac, Howard ...
in the 1975 television film '' I Will Fight No More Forever'', based on the 1877 conflict between the United States Army and the Nez Percé tribe, led by
Chief Joseph ''Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt'' (or ''hinmatóowyalahtq̓it'' in Americanist orthography; March 3, 1840 – September 21, 1904), popularly known as Chief Joseph, Young Joseph, or Joseph the Younger, was a leader of the wal-lam-wat-kain (Wallowa) ...
. In 1979, Whitmore hosted a talk show of 22 episodes called simply ''Comeback.'' One of those segments focuses on the helicopter inventor
Igor Sikorsky Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky, (25 May 1889 – 26 October 1972) was a Russian-American aviation pioneer in both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. His first success came with the Sikorsky S-2, the second aircraft of his design and construc ...
. In 1980 he starred as Borski, a therapist treating imprisoned sex-offenders, in the made-for-television movie ''Rage!'' directed by William A. Graham. In 1980, Whitmore appeared as Jake Reeves the terminally ill father of coach Reeves in a two episode arc of the television series ''White Shadow.'' In 1986, Whitmore voiced
Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced," with William Fau ...
in the first
claymation Claymation, sometimes called clay animation or plasticine animation, is one of many forms of stop-motion animation. Each animated piece, either character or background, is "deformable"—made of a malleable substance, usually plasticine cl ...
feature film '' The Adventures of Mark Twain''. In 1994, Whitmore appeared in the role of prison librarian Brooks Hatlen in the critically acclaimed and
Academy Award The Academy Awards, commonly known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit in film. They are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the United States in recognition of excellence ...
-nominated Frank Darabont film ''
The Shawshank Redemption ''The Shawshank Redemption'' is a 1994 American Prison film, prison Drama (film and television), drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella ''Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption''. The film t ...
'', starring
Tim Robbins Timothy Francis Robbins (born October 16, 1958) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Andy Dufresne in the film '' The Shawshank Redemption ''(1994), and Jacob Singer in '' Jacob's Ladder'' (1990), as well as winning an Academy ...
and
Morgan Freeman Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, producer, and narrator. In a career spanning six decades, he has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as a nomination for a Tony ...
; Whitmore received much praise for his poignant portrayal of Brooks, the old con and his performance won him a legion of new fans. Two years later, he co-starred in the 1997 horror/sci-fi film '' The Relic.'' In 1999, he played Raymond Oz in two episodes of ''
The Practice ''The Practice'' is an American legal drama television series created by David E. Kelley centering on partners and associates at a Boston law firm. The show ran for eight seasons on ABC, from March 4, 1997, to May 16, 2004. It won an Emmy i ...
,'' earning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. In 2002, Whitmore played the role of the grandfather in the Disney Channel original film '' A Ring of Endless Light''. Also in 2002, Whitmore played a supporting role in '' The Majestic,'' a film that starred Jim Carrey. In 2003, Whitmore appeared as
Josh Brolin Josh James Brolin (; born February 12, 1968) is an American actor. A son of actor James Brolin, he gained fame in his youth for his role in the adventure film ''The Goonies'' (1985). After years of decline, Brolin had a resurgence with his starr ...
's father on the short-lived NBC drama series '' Mister Sterling'', for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award. In April 2007, he made his last screen appearance in a '' C.S.I.'' episode titled " Ending Happy" as Milton, an elderly man.


Theatre work

"Whitmore often said he found acting in films and television boring because of the long waits between scenes; his passion was for the theater, and he continued to act on stage throughout his long career." Whitmore first ventured into acting at Yale University – severe knee injuries sidelined him from football, so he turned to the Yale Dramatic Society. After serving in the Marines he toured the South Pacific in a USO tour, then returned to America, where he studied acting for six months at the American Theatre Wing in New York and the Actors Studio. Afterward, he was hired by a summer stock company in Peterborough, New Hampshire – The Peterborough Players. In 1947 he was selected to appear in a production of '' All My Sons'', representing the U.S. at the World Youth Festival in Prague. His first play on Broadway – ''Command Decision'' – in which Whitmore played the part of Tech Sergeant Harold Evans, was the smash hit of 1947, and Whitmore received a non-competitive Special Tony Award for "Best Newcomer of the Season". Whitmore continued to be active in the theatre for all of his career, performing on Broadway, at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC, and on tour. He later won the title "King of the One Man Show" after appearing in the solo vehicles '' Will Rogers' USA'' (1970) (repeating the role for TV in 1972); as
Harry Truman Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. As the 34th vice president in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt that year. Subsequen ...
in '' Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' (1975) (repeating the role in the film version, for which he was nominated for an
Oscar Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to: People and fictional and mythical characters * Oscar (given name), including lists of people and fictional characters named Oscar, Óscar or Oskar * Oscar (footballer, born 1954), Brazilian footballer ...
); and as
Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), also known as Teddy or T.R., was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt previously was involved in New York (state), New York politics, incl ...
in ''Bully'' (1977), although the latter production did not repeat the success of the first two. "Whitmore, who was an early student at the Actors Studio in New York in the late '40s, taught an acting workshop after moving to Hollywood. Among his students in the early '50s was young James Dean, whom Whitmore advised to go to New York. 'I owe a lot to Whitmore,' Dean told ''Seventeen'' magazine in 1955. 'One thing he said helped more than anything. He told me I didn't know the difference between acting as a soft job and acting as a difficult art.'" Whitmore often returned to New Hampshire to the Peterborough Players, where he got his start in summer stock – in 2008 he played the stage manager in ''Our Town.'' Each year the Peterborough Players award the "James Whitmore Award" to an excellent intern at the theatre.


Personal life

Whitmore married his first wife, Nancy Mygatt, in 1947. The couple had three sons before their divorce in 1971. The eldest son, James III, found success as a television actor and director under the name James Whitmore Jr. The second son, Stephen, became the public spokesman for the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD), officially the County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, is a law enforcement agency serving Los Angeles County, California. LASD is the largest sheriff's department in the United States a ...
.See the 2009 obituary on James Whitmore by The Associated Press, posted on www.legacy.com. The youngest son, Daniel, was a Forest Service Snow Ranger and firefighter before he launched his own construction company. In 1979, Whitmore and Mygatt remarried, but they divorced again after two years. Whitmore was married to actress Audra Lindley from 1972 until 1979. He co-starred in several stage performances with her both during and after their marriage. These included ''Elba'' (a play by Vaughn McBride about an elderly couple who escape from their nursing home); William Gibson's ''Handy Dandy'' (he as a conservative judge, she as a liberal nun); and Tom Cole's ''About Time'' (in which they played characters identified simply as the Old Man and the Old Woman). In 2001, he married actress and author Noreen Nash. Whitmore is the grandfather of '' Survivor: Gabon'' contestant Matty Whitmore. In 2010, James Whitmore Jr., and his two children (grandchildren of James Whitmore), actress-director Aliah Whitmore and artist-production designer Jacob Whitmore, formed the theatre group Whitmore Eclectic. They perform in Los Angeles, California."The Whitmore Family Will Never Grow out of This Stage" by Susan King. ''Los Angeles Times,'' May 7, 2013. In his later years, Whitmore spent his summers in
Peterborough, New Hampshire Peterborough is a New England town, town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,418 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The main village, with 3,090 people at the ...
, performing with the Peterborough Players. A Democrat, he supported the campaign of
Adlai Stevenson Adlai Stevenson may refer to: * Adlai Stevenson I Adlai Ewing Stevenson (October 23, 1835 – June 14, 1914) was an American politician and diplomat who served as the 23rd vice president of the United States from 1893 to 1897 under President Gr ...
during the 1952 presidential election. Although he was not always politically active, in 2007, Whitmore generated some publicity with his endorsement of
Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who was the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American president in American history. O ...
for U.S. President. In January 2008, Whitmore appeared in television commercials for the First Freedom First campaign, which advocates preserving "the separation of church and state" and protecting religious liberty. According to the ''
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...
'', "An avid flower and vegetable gardener, Whitmore was also known to TV viewers as the longtime commercial pitchman for Miracle-Gro garden products." He had a cat called Monkey, whose playful photos are preserved i
LIFE photo collection in New York


Death

Whitmore was diagnosed with
lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant tumor that begins in the lung. Lung cancer is caused by genetic damage to the DNA of cells in the airways, often caused by cigarette smoking or inhaling damaging chemicals. Damaged ...
in November 2008. He died from the disease at the age of 87 on February 6, 2009, at his
Malibu, California Malibu ( ; ; ) is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, about west of downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its Mediterranean climate, its strip of beaches stretching along the Pacific Ocean coa ...
home. He was cremated, his ashes was scattered at
Pacific Ocean The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five Borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean, or, depending on the definition, to Antarctica in the south, and is ...
.


Filmography


Partial filmography

1940s *'' The Undercover Man'' (1949) as George Pappas *'' Battleground'' (1949) as Kinnie 1950s * '' The Outriders'' (1950) as Clint Priest * '' Please Believe Me'' (1950) as Vincent Maran * '' The Asphalt Jungle'' (1950) as Gus Minissi * '' The Next Voice You Hear...'' (1950) as Joe Smith, American * '' Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone'' (1950) as John J. Malone * '' The Red Badge of Courage'' (1951) as Narrator (voice, uncredited) * '' Angels in the Outfield'' (1951) as Angel voice (voice, uncredited) * '' Across the Wide Missouri'' (1951) as Old Bill (uncredited) * '' It's a Big Country'' (1951) as Mr. Stacey * '' Shadow in the Sky'' (1952) as Lou Hopke * '' Because You're Mine'' (1952) as Sergeant 'Bat' Batterson * '' Above and Beyond'' (1952) as Maj. William 'Bill' M. Uanna – Security Officer, Operation Silverplate * '' The Girl Who Had Everything'' (1953) as Charles 'Chico' Menlow * '' Kiss Me Kate'' (1953) as Slug * '' All the Brothers Were Valiant'' (1953) as Fetcher * '' The Great Diamond Robbery'' (1954) as Mr. Remlick, Lawyer * '' The Command'' (1954) as Sgt. Elliott * '' Them!'' (1954) as Police Sgt. Ben Peterson * ''
Battle Cry A battle cry or war cry is a yell or chant taken up in battle, usually by members of the same combatant group. Battle cries are not necessarily articulate (e.g. "Eulaliaaaa!", "Alala"..), although they often aim to invoke patriotic or religio ...
'' (1955) as MSgt. Mac / Narrator * '' The McConnell Story'' (1955) as SSgt. / Maj. / Col. Ty 'Dad' Whitman * ''
Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs's 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...
'' (1955) as Mr. Carnes * '' The Last Frontier'' (1955) as Gus * ''
The Eddy Duchin Story ''The Eddy Duchin Story'' is a 1956 American biopic film of band leader and pianist Eddy Duchin starring Tyrone Power and Kim Novak. Filmed in CinemaScope, the Technicolor production was directed by George Sidney and written by Samuel A. T ...
'' (1956) as Lou Sherwood * '' Crime in the Streets'' (1956) as Ben Wagner * '' The Young Don't Cry'' (1957) as Rudy Krist * '' The Deep Six'' (1958) as Commander Warren Meredith * '' The Restless Years'' (1958) as Ed Henderson * '' Face of Fire'' (1959) as Monk Johnson 1960s *'' The Law and Mr. Jones'' (1960) as Abraham Lincoln Jones *'' Who Was That Lady?'' (1960) as Harry Powell *’’Rawhide 1962 Incident of the Dog Faces as Sgt. Joe Duclos *''
Going My Way ''Going My Way'' is a 1944 American musical comedy drama film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. Written by Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, based on a story by McCarey, the film is about a new young priest ...
'' as Dr. Corden in "Tell Me When You Get to Heaven" (1963) as Dr. Corden *''
The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology series, anthology television series created by Rod Serling in which characters find themselves dealing with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described ...
'', " On Thursday We Leave for Home" (TV Series) (1963) as Captain Benteen *'' Black Like Me'' (1964) as John Finley Horton *'' The Tenderfoot'' (1964), '' Disney's The Wonderful World of Color'' as Captain Ewell *'' Kraft Suspense Theatre'' "A Lion Amongst Men" (1964) as Major Will Stanton *''Gunsmoke'' (1965) "The Reward" as Jim Forbes *'' Combat!'' "The Cassock" (TV Series) (1965) as Hertzbrun *'' The Big Valley'' "The Death Merchant" (1966) as Handy Random *'' The Big Valley'' "Target" (1966) as Joshua "Josh" Adam Hawks *'' Chuka'' (1967) as Lou Trent *'' Waterhole #3'' (1967) as Capt. Shipley *'' The Big Valley'' "Night In a Small Town" (1967) as Tom Willis *'' The Invaders'' "Quantity: Unknown" (1967) as Harry Swain *'' Nobody's Perfect'' (1968) as Capt. Mike Riley *''
Planet of the Apes ''Planet of the Apes'' is a science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, post-apocalyptic world in which humans and intelligent apes c ...
'' (1968) as President of the Assembly *'' Madigan'' (1968) as Chief Insp. Charles Kane *'' The Split'' (1968) as Herb Sutro *''
Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on ...
'' (TV) Episode – "To Die in Darkness" (1968) as John Postley *'' The Big Valley'' "Shadow of a Giant" (1968) as Marshal Seth Campbell *'' Guns of the Magnificent Seven'' (1969) as Levi 1970s *'' The Challenge'' (1970) (TV) as Overman *'' Tora! Tora! Tora!'' (1970) as Vice Admiral William F. Halsey *'' Chato's Land'' (1972) as Joshua Everette *'' The Harrad Experiment'' (1973) as Philip Tenhausen *'' High Crime'' (1973) as Commissioner Aldo Scavino *'' Where the Red Fern Grows'' (1974) (TV) as Grandpa *'' The Balloon Vendor'' (1974) as Antonio *'' I Will Fight No More Forever'' (1975) (TV) as General Oliver O. Howard *'' Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' (1975) as Harry S Truman *'' The Serpent's Egg'' (1977) as The Priest *'' The Word'' (TV) (1978) as George Wheeler 1980s *'' The First Deadly Sin'' (1980) as Dr. Sanford Ferguson *''Rage!'' (1980) as rBorski *'' The White Shadow'' (1980) as Jake Reeves *'' Hail Columbia!'' (1982) narrator *'' The Adventures of Mark Twain'' (1985) as
Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, and essayist. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has produced," with William Fau ...
(voice) *''Zoo Ship'' (1985) (voice) *'' All My Sons'' (1987) (TV) as Joe Keller *'' Nuts'' (1987) as Judge Stanley Murdoch *'' Glory! Glory!'' (1989) (TV) as Lester Babbitt 1990s *''Sky High'' (1990) as Gus Johnson *'' Old Explorers'' (1990) as Leinen Roth *''
The Shawshank Redemption ''The Shawshank Redemption'' is a 1994 American Prison film, prison Drama (film and television), drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella ''Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption''. The film t ...
'' (1994) as Brooks Hatlen *'' The Relic'' (1997) as Dr. Albert Frock *''
Swing Vote A swing vote is a vote that is seen as potentially going to any one of a number of candidates in an election, or, in a two-party system, may go to either of the two dominant political parties. It usually comes from voters who are 'undecided' or ...
'' (1999) as Daniel Morissey *''
The Practice ''The Practice'' is an American legal drama television series created by David E. Kelley centering on partners and associates at a Boston law firm. The show ran for eight seasons on ABC, from March 4, 1997, to May 16, 2004. It won an Emmy i ...
'' (1999) as Raymond Oz 2000s *''Here's to Life!'' (2000) as Gus Corley *'' The Majestic'' (2001) as Stan Keller *'' A Ring of Endless Light'' (2002) as Grandfather *'' Fun with Dick and Jane'' (2005) as Toy Store Security Guard (uncredited) *'' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' episode "Ending Happy" (2007) (TV) as Milton (final appearance)


Stage

James Whitmore's theatre roles included: * '' Command Decision'' – as Tech Sergeant Harold Evans – Fulton Theatre, New York, NY – (October 1, 1947 – September 18, 1948). ::Whitmore received a 1948 Tony Award for this role. The category was "Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer". * ''Winesburg, Ohio'' – as Tom Willard – National Theatre, New York, NY – (Feb 5 – 15, 1958). * ''Inquest'' – as Emanuel Bloch – Music Box Theatre, New York, NY – (Apr 23 – May 16, 1970). * ''Will Rogers' USA'' – Solo Performance as Will Rogers – Helen Hayes Theatre, New York, NY – (May 6–11, 1974). * '' Give 'Em Hell, Harry!'' – Solo Performance as Harry Truman – Ford's Theatre, Washington, DC – (April 15 – May 4, 1975). ::After the world premiere at the Ford's Theatre, the play went on to a six-city tour, during which it was videotaped for film at the Moore Theater, Seattle, Washington. * ''Bully'' – Solo Performance as Theodore Roosevelt – 46th Street Theatre, New York, NY – (November 1, 1977 – November 6, 1977). * ''Almost an Eagle'' – as The Colonel – Longacre Theatre, New York, NY – (December 16, 1982 – December 19, 1982). * ''Inherit the Wind'' – as Henry Drummond – Ford's Theatre, Washington, DC – (Sep 26 – November 5, 2000).


Radio

* '' Family Theater'' – episode "The Visitor" (1952)


Accolades

Whitmore has a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark which consists of 2,813 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood dist ...
at 6611 Hollywood Boulevard. The ceremony was held on February 8, 1960."James Whitmore"
Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark which consists of 2,813 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood dist ...
. Retrieved April 9, 2016.


See also

* List of people from California *
List of people from New York City Many notable people were either born in New York City or adopted it as their home. People from New York City 0–9 * 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson, born 1975) – businessman and rapper * 6ix9ine (Daniel Hernandez, born 1996) – rapper * 22G ...
*
List of Yale University people Yalies are persons affiliated with Yale University, commonly including alumni, current and former faculty members, students, and others. Here follows a list of notable Yalies. Alumni For a list of notable alumni of Yale Law School, see List ...


Notes


References


External links

* * * *
Actors Master Class: James Whitmore in How To Steal A Scene
* . * Staff (undated; copyright 2009).
"James Whitmore Obituary"
Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...
(via the ''
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...
'' module at Legacy.com). Retrieved October 14, 2012.
Steven Ameche: Remembering James Whitmore At The Market
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitmore, James 1921 births 2009 deaths 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American male actors Male actors from Connecticut Male actors from New Hampshire Male actors from New York City American male film actors United States Marine Corps reservists United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II American male stage actors American male television actors American television talk show hosts Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe (film) winners Choate Rosemary Hall alumni Deaths from lung cancer in California Donaldson Award winners Primetime Emmy Award winners Grammy Award winners Male actors from Buffalo, New York Male actors from Malibu, California People from Peterborough, New Hampshire People from Wallingford, Connecticut Male actors from White Plains, New York Special Tony Award recipients Military personnel from New York (state) United States Marines Yale University alumni United States Marine Corps officers California Democrats New York (state) Democrats Connecticut Democrats New Hampshire Democrats Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players Military personnel from California Amherst Central High School alumni Members of Skull and Bones