James Edwards (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James J. Edwards
Edwards in the 1953 film, The Joe Louis Story
Born	James Johnson Edwards (1918-03-06)March 6, 1918 Muncie, Indiana, U.S.
Died	January 4, 1970(1970-01-04) (aged 51) San Diego, California, U.S.
Resting place	Evergreen Memorial Park, Hobart, Indiana, U.S.
Years active	1947–1969
Spouse(s)	Everdinne Edwards (?-1970, his death)
Children	1

James Johnson Edwards (born March 6, 1918 – died January 4, 1970) was an American actor. He appeared in many films and TV shows. He was best known for playing Private Peter Moss in the 1949 movie Home of the Brave. In this film, he played a Black soldier who faced unfair treatment during World War II.

James Edwards' Acting Career

Early Life and Education

James Edwards studied psychology at Knoxville College in Tennessee. He then earned a master's degree in drama from Northwestern University. While at Northwestern, he acted in student plays. He also worked on the Federal Theatre Project. During World War II, he served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Becoming an Actor

After the war, Edwards started acting on stage in New York. He played a war hero in a play called Deep Are the Roots. This helped him begin his acting career.

Playing Soldiers in Movies

Throughout his early and middle acting career, Edwards often played African American soldiers. He appeared in many war movies. Some of these films include Home of the Brave (1949), The Steel Helmet (1951), and Pork Chop Hill (1959). He also had a small role in The Caine Mutiny (1954).

Edwards was supposed to be in a movie called Red Ball Express. However, he was replaced by another actor, Sidney Poitier.

Other Important Roles

Edwards also had important roles in other types of movies. He was in Stanley Kubrick's film The Killing (1956). He also appeared in John Frankenheimer's movie The Manchurian Candidate (1962).

Television Work

In the 1960s, Edwards was very busy acting on television. He played many different characters in popular TV shows. Some of these shows were Peter Gunn, The Fugitive, and Dr. Kildare.

One of his last movie roles was in the film Patton. He played Sergeant Major William George Meeks. This character was General George S. Patton's personal assistant for a long time.

Death

James Edwards passed away on January 4, 1970. He was in San Diego, California, at the time. He was working on a movie script when he felt chest pains. He was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he died. He was 51 years old.

Filmography

• The Set-Up (1949) as Luther Hawkins
• Home of the Brave (1949) as Private Peter Moss
• Manhandled (1949) as Henry, Bennet's Butler (uncredited)
• The Steel Helmet (1951) as Cpl. Thompson
• Bright Victory (1951) as Joe Morgan
• The Member Of The Wedding (1952) as Honey Camden Brown
• The Joe Louis Story (1953) as Jack 'Chappie' Blackburn
• The Caine Mutiny (1954) as Whittaker (uncredited)
• African Manhunt (1955) as Native Guide
• Seven Angry Men (1955) as Ned Green
• The Phenix City Story (1955) as Zeke Ward
• The Killing (1956) as Track Parking Attendant
• Battle Hymn (1957) as Lt. Maples
• Men in War (1957) as Sgt. Killian
• Fräulein (1958) as Cpl. S. Hanks
• Tarzan's Fight for Life (1958) as Futa
• Anna Lucasta (1958) as Eddie
• Night of the Quarter Moon (1959) as Asa Tully
• Pork Chop Hill (1959) as Cpl. Jurgens
• Blood and Steel (1959) as George
• The Manchurian Candidate (1962) as Corporal Allen Melvin
• Legend of Bearheart (1964) released as Legend of the Northwest in 1978
• The Sandpiper (1965) as Larry Brant
• The Virginian (1968, TV Series) as The Mustangers
• The Young Runaways (1968) as Sergeant Joe Collyer
• Coogan's Bluff (1968) as Sgt. Jackson
• Patton (1970) as Sergeant Major William George Meeks
• Doomsday Voyage (1972) as Coast Guard Officer
• Legend of the Northwest (1978) (final film role)