Will Geer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Will Geer
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Geer (with Ellen Corby) as Grandpa "Zeb" Walton in The Waltons
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| Born |
William Aughe Ghere
March 9, 1902 Frankfort, Indiana, U.S.
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| Died | April 22, 1978 (aged 76) Los Angeles, California
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1927–1978 |
| Spouse(s) |
Herta Ware
(m. 1934; div. 1954) |
| Partner(s) | Harry Hay (1932-1934) |
| Children | 3, including Ellen Geer |
| Relatives | Willow Geer (granddaughter) |
Will Geer (born William Aughe Ghere; March 9, 1902 – April 22, 1978) was an American actor, musician, and social activist. He was known for helping workers and others in New York City and Southern California during the 1930s and 1940s. In California, he became friends with the singer Woody Guthrie. They both lived in New York City for a while in the 1940s.
Later in his life, Geer became very famous for playing Grandpa Zebulon "Zeb" Walton. This was in the TV show The Waltons from 1972 until he passed away in 1978.
Contents
Early life and learning
Will Geer was born in Frankfort, Indiana. His mother, Katherine, was a teacher, and his father, Roy, worked for the post office. His father left when Will was 11 years old. Will's grandfather taught him a lot about plants. He learned their scientific names and became very interested in botany. Will even earned a master's degree in botany from the University of Chicago.
Acting and helping others
Will Geer started his acting career by traveling with shows in tents and on riverboats. He changed his last name to Geer to make it easier to say. He also worked on documentaries that talked about social issues. For example, he narrated a film about miners who got sick from dust.
He acted in many plays, including The Cradle Will Rock in 1937 and Of Mice and Men. He also appeared in many movies from 1948 to 1951. Some of these movies were Winchester '73 and Broken Arrow.
Will Geer was also a dedicated activist. In the 1930s, he visited government work camps with folk singers like Burl Ives and Woody Guthrie. He introduced Woody Guthrie to a newspaper that supported workers. In 1956, Geer and Guthrie even released a music album together called Bound for Glory. Geer also introduced Woody Guthrie to another famous folk singer, Pete Seeger, at an event for farm workers.
Will Geer also acted on the radio. He played the character Mephistopheles (the devil) in a radio show called The Plot to Overthrow Christmas.
A difficult time
In the early 1950s, Will Geer faced a tough challenge. He was asked to testify before a government committee. He refused to name people who had joined certain groups. Because of this, he was put on a "blacklist" in Hollywood. This meant it was very hard for him to find acting jobs for about ten years.
One of the few movies he made during this time was Salt of the Earth (1954). This movie was made by other people who were also on the blacklist. It told the story of a miners' strike and supported the workers. Because of its message, the film had trouble being made and shown in theaters.
Later career and a special garden
In 1951, Will Geer started the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga, California. He created this place with his wife, actress Herta Ware. It was a special theater where he could combine his love for acting and plants. At the Theatricum, he grew every plant mentioned in Shakespeare's plays! He even made a second Shakespeare Garden at another theater.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he acted in many Shakespeare plays. In 1964, he was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in a musical called 110 in the Shade. In 1972, he played a character named Bear Claw in the movie Jeremiah Johnson.
That same year, 1972, he got the role of Zebulon Walton, the wise grandfather in The Waltons TV series. He won an Emmy Award for this role in 1975.
Will Geer passed away shortly after finishing the sixth season of The Waltons. The show then wrote his character's death into the story. His last episode showed him with his TV wife, Esther. The next season began with his character being mourned by the family.
Family and hobbies
Will Geer married actress Herta Ware in 1934. They had three children: Kate, Thad, and Ellen. Even though they divorced in 1954, they remained close friends.
Will Geer was very involved in helping people and fighting for workers' rights. He joined demonstrations to support laborers and people who didn't have jobs. He believed strongly in helping others.
He loved gardening and had a special garden at his vacation home in Nichols, Connecticut. He often wore his trademark denim overalls with only one suspender hooked. He also had a small vacation house in Solana Beach, California, where he grew vegetables instead of having a lawn.
Death
Will Geer passed away on April 22, 1978, at the age of 76. As he was dying, his family sang Woody Guthrie's song "This Land Is Your Land" and read poems by Robert Frost. His ashes were buried at the Theatricum Botanicum in his beloved Shakespeare Garden in Topanga Canyon.
Selected TV and film roles
- Winchester '73 (1950) as Wyatt Earp
- Broken Arrow (1950) as Ben Slade
- Salt of the Earth (1954) as Sheriff
- In Cold Blood (1967) as Prosecutor
- Jeremiah Johnson (1972) as Bear Claw
- The Waltons (TV series) (1972–1978) as Zebulon Tyler Walton
- The Blue Bird (1976) as Grandfather
Images for kids
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Will Geer as Grandpa "Zeb" Walton in The Waltons
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Will Geer in a play called The Cradle Will Rock in 1937.
