Jack Warden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Warden
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Warden in the 1950s
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| Born |
John Warden Lebzelter Jr.
September 18, 1920 |
| Died | July 19, 2006 (aged 85) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Cause of death | Heart and kidney failure |
| Other names | Jack Lebzelter Jack Warden Lebzelter Johnny Costello |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1948–2000 |
| Spouse(s) |
Vanda Dupre
(m. 1958; |
| Children | 1 |
Jack Warden (born John Warden Lebzelter Jr., September 18, 1920 – July 19, 2006) was an American actor. He was known for playing many different types of characters in movies and on TV. He was nominated twice for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. These nominations were for his roles in Shampoo (1975) and Heaven Can Wait (1978). He also won an Emmy for his acting in the TV movie Brian's Song (1971).
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Jack Warden was born in Newark, New Jersey. His full name was John Warden Lebzelter Jr. His mother was Laura M. Costello, and his father, John Warden Lebzelter, worked as an engineer.
He grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. He had German (from a group called Pennsylvania Dutch) and Irish family roots. Jack was even kicked out of high school because of fighting.
Before becoming an actor, he was a professional boxer. He fought under the name Johnny Costello. He had 13 boxing matches as a welterweight (a boxer weighing between 140 and 147 pounds). But he didn't earn much money from it.
Serving His Country
Before acting, Jack Warden had many jobs. He worked as a nightclub bouncer, a tugboat deckhand, and a lifeguard. In 1938, he joined the United States Navy. He spent three years in China with the Yangtze River Patrol.
In 1941, he joined the United States Merchant Marine. This group transports goods by sea. But he soon got tired of the long trips. So, in 1942, he joined the United States Army. He became a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II.
In 1944, just before the D-Day invasion, Jack had an accident. He broke his leg when he landed in a tree during a practice jump in England. He spent almost eight months in the hospital. While recovering, he read a play and decided he wanted to become an actor.
Acting Career Highlights
After leaving the military, Jack Warden moved to New York City. He studied acting and performed on stage for five years. In 1948, he made his first appearance on television. His first movie role was in 1951 in You're in the Navy Now.
His first movie role where he was officially credited was in The Man with My Face (1951). From 1952 to 1955, he was in the TV series Mister Peepers. In 1953, he played a kind corporal in the famous movie From Here to Eternity.
One of his most well-known early roles was Juror No. 7 in 12 Angry Men. He played a salesman who wanted the jury to make a quick decision.
Jack Warden appeared in many television series over the years. He was nominated for awards for his main role in the 1980s comedy/drama series Crazy Like a Fox. He also had memorable roles in movies like All the President's Men (1976), The Verdict (1982), and Bullets over Broadway (1994). His final film role was in The Replacements (2000).
Personal Life and Passing
Jack Warden married French actress Vanda Dupré in 1958. They had one son named Christopher. Even though they separated in the 1970s, they never officially divorced.
In his later years, Jack Warden's health declined. He stopped acting in 2000. He passed away in a New York hospital on July 19, 2006. He was 85 years old, and his death was caused by heart and kidney failure.
Images for kids
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Warden in the 1950s
See also
In Spanish: Jack Warden para niños
