Harry Dean Stanton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Dean Stanton
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Stanton in 2006
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| Born | July 14, 1926 West Irvine, Kentucky, U.S.
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| Died | September 15, 2017 (aged 91) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Kentucky Pasadena Playhouse |
| Occupation | Actor, musician, singer |
| Years active | 1954–2017 |
Harry Dean Stanton (born July 14, 1926 – died September 15, 2017) was a famous American actor, musician, and singer. He had a very long career, working for over sixty years in movies and TV shows. Even though he often played supporting characters, he became well-known for his unique look and quiet, intense acting style.
He appeared in many popular films, including Cool Hand Luke (1967), Alien (1979), Escape from New York (1981), Christine (1983), and Pretty in Pink (1986). He also had a few main roles, like in the movie Paris, Texas (1984) and his very last film, Lucky (2017).
Contents
Harry Dean Stanton: A Life in Movies
Early Life and Beginnings
Harry Dean Stanton was born in West Irvine, Kentucky. His father was a farmer and barber, and his mother was a cook. Harry had two younger brothers and a younger half-brother. His family loved music, and he grew up around it.
He went to Lafayette High School and then the University of Kentucky. There, he studied journalism and radio. He also acted in plays at the Guignol Theatre. Harry loved singing and acting. He once said he had to choose between being a singer or an actor. He decided acting would let him do both! His theater director encouraged him to become an actor. He later studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse in California.
During World War II, Harry served in the United States Navy. He was a cook on a ship called the USS LST-970 during the Battle of Okinawa.
A Long and Busy Career
Harry Dean Stanton appeared in many different kinds of movies. He was in independent films, which are made outside of big studios, and also in major Hollywood movies. Some of his well-known films include Cool Hand Luke, The Godfather Part II, Alien, and The Green Mile. Many famous directors like David Lynch enjoyed working with him. He was also good friends with other actors like Jack Nicholson.
He first appeared on television in 1954. His first movie role was in a Western film called Tomahawk Trail in 1957. Early in his career, he used the name Dean Stanton to avoid being confused with another actor named Harry Stanton.
Memorable Roles
Harry's big break came when he got the main role in the movie Paris, Texas. The writer of the film, Sam Shepard, met Harry in a bar. Harry told him he wanted to play more sensitive and beautiful characters. Soon after, Shepard offered him the part of Travis, a quiet character trying to find his family. This role was very important for Harry's career.
A famous film critic, Roger Ebert, once said that "no movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role can be altogether bad." This shows how much people respected Harry's acting.
He also appeared in many TV shows. He was in Gunsmoke and Rawhide several times. Later, he had a big role as Roman Grant in the HBO series Big Love. In 2017, he returned to play Carl Rodd in Twin Peaks: The Return. His last movie was Lucky, where he played a 90-year-old man dealing with getting older.
Music and Other Talents
Besides acting, Harry Dean Stanton was also a talented musician. He would sometimes perform in nightclubs, singing and playing the guitar. He mostly sang country songs. He also appeared in music videos for artists like Dwight Yoakam and Bob Dylan. He even played the harmonica on an album by the band The Call.
In 2011, a festival called the Harry Dean Stanton Fest was started in Lexington, Kentucky. This festival honors him in the city where he grew up. He also appeared in a documentary about his life called Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction in 2013.
Saying Goodbye
Harry Dean Stanton passed away on September 15, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. He was 91 years old. His ashes were scattered in a cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Film and TV Appearances
Movies
- Revolt at Fort Laramie (1957)
- Ride in the Whirlwind (1966)
- Cool Hand Luke (1967)
- Day of the Evil Gun (1968)
- Kelly's Heroes (1970)
- Two-Lane Blacktop (1971)
- Dillinger (1973)
- Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973)
- Where the Lilies Bloom (1974)
- The Godfather Part II (1974)
- Farewell My Lovely (1975)
- The Missouri Breaks (1976)
- Straight Time (1978)
- Alien (1979)
- The Rose (1979)
- Wise Blood (1979)
- Escape from New York (1981)
- Christine (1983)
- Repo Man (1984)
- Paris, Texas (1984)
- Red Dawn (1984)
- One Magic Christmas (1985)
- Pretty in Pink (1986)
- The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
- Wild at Heart (1990)
- Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
- Down Periscope (1996)
- Fire Down Below (1997)
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)
- The Green Mile (1999)
- The Straight Story (1999)
- The Man Who Cried (2000)
- The Wendell Baker Story (2005)
- Alpha Dog (2006)
- Inland Empire (2006)
- Rango (2011)
- The Avengers (2012)
- The Last Stand (2013)
- Lucky (2017)
TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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| 1993 | Hotel Room | Moe | Episode: "Tricks" |
| 2006–2010 | Big Love | Roman Grant | 37 episodes |
| 2017 | Twin Peaks | Carl Rodd | 5 episodes |
Images for kids
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Stanton signing autographs in 2015
See also
In Spanish: Harry Dean Stanton para niños
