James Whitmore facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Whitmore
Whitmore in 1955
Born	James Allen Whitmore Jr. (1921-10-01)October 1, 1921 White Plains, New York, U.S.
Died	February 6, 2009(2009-02-06) (aged 87) Malibu, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Yale University
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1946–2007
Spouse(s)	Nancy Mygatt ​ ​ (m. 1947; div. 1971)​ Audra Lindley ​ ​ (m. 1972; div. 1979)​ Nancy Mygatt ​ ​ (m. 1979; div. 1981)​ Noreen Nash ​ ​ (m. 2001)​
Children	4, including James Whitmore Jr.
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Rank	Lieutenant
Unit	Marine Forces Reserve
Battles/wars	World War II

James Allen Whitmore Jr. (born October 1, 1921 – died February 6, 2009) was a famous American actor. He won many awards, including a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Tony Award. He was also nominated for two Academy Awards.

Discovering James Whitmore's Life and Career

Early Life and Military Service

James Whitmore was born in White Plains, New York. His father, James Allen Whitmore Sr., worked for the park commission. James went to Amherst Central High School and then the Choate School on a football scholarship.

He later attended Yale University. A knee injury stopped him from playing football. After that, he joined the Yale Dramatic Society and started acting. He also helped start the Yale radio station, WOCD-AM (now WYBC-AM). James studied government at Yale, planning to become a lawyer.

When World War II began, he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1942. He finished his degree in 1944. In the Marines, he trained at Parris Island and Quantico, Virginia. He became a second lieutenant. He served with the 4th Marine Division on Saipan in 1944. After getting sick, he served guard duty at the Panama Canal Zone until 1946.

Family and Later Years

Nancy Mygatt and Whitmore in 1954 with their sons (from left): Stephen, James Jr., and Danny

After World War II, James Whitmore studied acting in New York. He met Nancy Mygatt and they married in 1947. They had three sons. Their oldest son, James III, became an actor and director known as James Whitmore Jr.. Stephen became a public spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Daniel worked for the Forest Service before starting his own construction company. James and Nancy divorced in 1971, remarried in 1979, and divorced again two years later.

He was also married to actress Audra Lindley from 1972 to 1979. They acted together in several plays. In 2001, he married actress and author Noreen Nash. James Whitmore is the grandfather of Matty Whitmore, who was on the TV show Survivor: Gabon. His son, James Whitmore Jr., and his grandchildren, Aliah and Jacob Whitmore, started a theater group called Whitmore Eclectic in Los Angeles.

In his later years, James spent his summers acting with the Peterborough Players in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He also supported Barack Obama for President in 2007. He appeared in commercials for the First Freedom First campaign, which supports the separation of church and state. He was also known for his commercials for Miracle-Gro garden products.

Acting Career Highlights

Film and Television Roles

After World War II, James Whitmore started acting on Broadway. His first big movie for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was Battleground. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role. He also won a Golden Globe Award.

He appeared in many other important films, including Angels in the Outfield, The Asphalt Jungle, Them!, and Oklahoma!. He was nominated for another Academy Award for Best Actor for playing former U.S. President Harry S Truman in the one-man show Give 'em Hell, Harry!. In the film Tora! Tora! Tora!, he played Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey.

In the 1950s, James Whitmore appeared on many TV shows. He starred in his own ABC crime drama, The Law and Mr. Jones, from 1960 to 1962.

James Whitmore (center) in The Law and Mr. Jones

In 1963, he played Captain William Benteen in The Twilight Zone episode "On Thursday We Leave for Home". He also appeared in Twelve O'Clock High and Combat!. In 1968, he was in Planet of the Apes. He also made appearances on the Western TV shows The Big Valley and The Virginian.

In 1994, James Whitmore played the role of Brooks Hatlen in the popular film The Shawshank Redemption. He received a lot of praise for this role. In 1999, he won an Emmy Award for his role in the TV show The Practice.

His last screen appearance was in a C.S.I. episode called "Ending Happy" in 2007.

Stage Performances

James Whitmore loved acting in the theater. He often said that film and TV acting was boring because of the long waits between scenes. He started acting at Yale University after his football injury. After serving in the Marines, he toured with a USO show. He then studied acting in New York.

His first Broadway play, Command Decision, was a big hit in 1947. Whitmore won a Special Tony Award for "Best Newcomer of the Season." He continued to act on stage throughout his career. He became known as the "King of the One Man Show" for his solo performances. He played Will Rogers in Will Rogers' USA (1970), Harry Truman in Give 'em Hell, Harry! (1975), and Theodore Roosevelt in Bully (1977).

James Whitmore also taught acting. One of his students in the 1950s was a young James Dean. Whitmore told Dean that acting was a difficult art, not an easy job. Each year, the Peterborough Players theater gives the "James Whitmore Award" to a talented intern.

Passing Away

James Whitmore was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2008. He passed away from the disease at his home in Malibu, California, on February 6, 2009. He was 87 years old.

James Whitmore's Work

Partial Filmography

Stage Performances

James Whitmore's theater roles included:

• Command Decision – as Tech Sergeant Harold Evans – Fulton Theatre, New York, NY – (October 1, 1947 – September 18, 1948).
• 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).
• 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 Work

• Family Theater – episode "The Visitor" (1952)

Awards and Recognition

James Whitmore has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6611 Hollywood Boulevard. He received it on February 8, 1960.

See also

In Spanish: James Whitmore para niños

• List of people from California
• List of people from New York City
• List of Yale University people