Don Murray (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Murray
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Murray in 1956
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Donald Patrick Murray
July 31, 1929 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Died | c. February 2024 (aged 94) |
| Alma mater | American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1950–2001; 2017–2021 |
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| Children | 5, including Christopher |
Donald Patrick Murray (born July 31, 1929 – died around February 2024) was an American actor. He became famous for his first big movie role in Bus Stop (1956). In this film, he starred alongside the famous actress Marilyn Monroe. His acting in Bus Stop earned him a nomination for an Academy Award.
Don Murray also appeared in many other well-known movies. These include A Hatful of Rain (1957), Advise & Consent (1962), Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), and Peggy Sue Got Married (1986). On television, he was a star in series like The Outcasts (1968–1969), Knots Landing (1979–1981), and Twin Peaks (2017).
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Early Life and Start in Acting
Don Murray was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 1929. He was the second of three children. His father, Dennis Aloisius Murray, was a director and stage manager for Broadway shows. His mother, Ethel Murray, used to be a performer in the famous Ziegfeld Follies shows.
Don went to East Rockaway High School in East Rockaway, New York. He was active in sports, playing football and running track. He was also part of the student government and the glee club. After high school, he studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Soon after graduating, he made his first appearance on Broadway in the play The Rose Tattoo (1951).
During the Korean War, many young American men were asked to join the military. Don Murray was a member of the Brethren Church and chose not to join the armed forces because of his beliefs. Instead, he helped orphans and people hurt in the war in Europe.
In 1954, Don Murray came back to the United States and continued acting. He performed in a play called The Skin of Our Teeth with actress Mary Martin. A director named Joshua Logan saw his performance. He decided to cast Don in the movie Bus Stop, which was based on a play.
Don Murray's Film and TV Career
Don Murray's first movie role was as Beauregard "Beau" Decker in Bus Stop (1956). He acted alongside Marilyn Monroe, who played Cherie. His portrayal of a cowboy who was determined to win Cherie's heart was highly praised. He received nominations for a BAFTA award and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 1957, Don Murray starred in The Bachelor Party. That same year, he played Johnny Pope in the drama A Hatful of Rain. Don really wanted to play this main role, even though the director first thought he should play a different character.
Don Murray played a U.S. senator in the 1962 film Advise & Consent. This movie was based on a book that won a Pulitzer Prize. He also acted with Steve McQueen in Baby the Rain Must Fall (1965). Later, he played Governor Breck, a character who disliked apes, in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972).
Besides acting, Don Murray also directed a movie. It was called The Cross and the Switchblade (1970). He also starred in the TV western series The Outcasts (1968–1969). In this show, he played a bounty hunter who worked with an African American partner.
In 1979, Don Murray joined the TV show Knots Landing as Sid Fairgate. He even wrote two episodes for the show. In 1981, he decided to leave the series after two seasons. His character's death on the show was a big surprise to viewers at the time. Don Murray later took part in a special reunion show for Knots Landing in 2005.
Later Years and Family Life
In July 2014, a special event was held in San Francisco to celebrate Don Murray's films. This type of event is called a retrospective.
In 1956, Don Murray married Hope Lange, who was his co-star in Bus Stop. They had two children, Christopher and Patricia. They later divorced in 1961. In 1962, he married Elizabeth Johnson. They had three children together: Coleen, Sean, and Michael. Don Murray lived in Goleta, California.
Don Murray passed away on February 2, 2024, at the age of 94.
Awards and Nominations
Don Murray was recognized for his acting with several awards and nominations:
- In 1956, he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Bus Stop.
- Also in 1956, he was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Bus Stop.
- In 1994, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for his work in an ABC Afterschool Special episode called "Montana Crossroads."
- In 2009, he received an Anniversary Award nomination for his role in Knots Landing at the TV Land Awards.
Images for kids
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With Marilyn Monroe in Bus Stop (1956)
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With Eva Marie Saint in A Hatful of Rain (1957)
See also
In Spanish: Don Murray para niños
