Hume Blake Cronyn Jr.
OC (July 18, 1911 – June 15, 2003) was a Canadian-American actor and writer.
Early life
Cronyn, one of five children, was born in
London
London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
, Ontario, Canada. His father,
Hume Blake Cronyn, Sr., was a businessman and a
Member of Parliament
A member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members o ...
for
London
London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
(after whom the
Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory
The Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory is a public astronomical observatory located on the campus of the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ontario, Canada.
Brief History
When London, Ontario lawyer, businessman, and member of federal parl ...
at Western University, then known as The
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario (UWO), also known as Western University or Western, is a public research university in London, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land, surrounded by residential neighbourhoods and the Thames R ...
and asteroid (12050) ''Humecronyn'' are named). His mother, Frances Amelia (née
Labatt), was an heiress of
the brewing company of the same name; as the daughter of
John Labatt
John Labatt (11 December 1838 – 27 April 1915) was a Canadian businessman and brewer. Labatt took charge of Labatt Brewing Company, formally known as Labatt and Company, after his father's death in 1866. Labatt helped Labatt Brewing Company ev ...
and the granddaughter of
John Kinder Labatt. Cronyn's paternal great-grandfather, Right Reverend
Benjamin Cronyn, an Anglican cleric of the
Anglo-Irish Protestant Ascendancy
The ''Protestant Ascendancy'', known simply as the ''Ascendancy'', was the political, economic, and social domination of Ireland between the 17th century and the early 20th century by a minority of landowners, Protestant clergy, and members of th ...
, served as the first bishop of the Anglican
diocese of Huron and founded
Huron College, from which grew the
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario (UWO), also known as Western University or Western, is a public research university in London, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land, surrounded by residential neighbourhoods and the Thames R ...
.
His great-uncle, Benjamin, Jr., was both a prominent citizen and early
mayor of London, Ontario
The mayor of London is head of London City Council. The 65th and current mayor of the city is Josh Morgan. London was incorporated as a town in 1848, and became a city in 1855. Originally, mayors were elected on January 1 for one-year terms.
T ...
, but was later indicted for fraud and fled to
Vermont
Vermont () is a state in the northeast New England region of the United States. Vermont is bordered by the states of Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, and New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to ...
. During his tenure in London, he built a mansion called Oakwood, which currently serves as the head office of the ''Info-Tech Research Group''. Cronyn was also a cousin of Canadian-born
theater producer
A theatrical producer is a person who oversees all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The producer is responsible for the overall financial and managerial functions of a production or venue, raises or provides financial backing, and hire ...
,
Robert Whitehead
Robert Whitehead (3 January 1823 – 14 November 1905) was an English engineer who was most famous for developing the first effective self-propelled naval torpedo.
Early life
He was born in Bolton, England, the son of James Whitehead, ...
, and a first cousin of the Canadian-British artist Hugh Verschoyle Cronyn
GM (1905–1996).
Cronyn was the first
Elmwood School boarder in
Ottawa (at the time Elmwood was called Rockliffe Preparatory School) and boarded at Elmwood between 1917 and 1921. After leaving Elmwood, Cronyn went to
Ridley College in St. Catharines, and
McGill University
McGill University (french: link=no, Université McGill) is an English-language public research university located in Montreal, Quebec
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous ...
in Montreal, where he became a member of
The Kappa Alpha Society. Early in life, Cronyn was an amateur
featherweight
Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling.
Boxing
Professional boxing
History
A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, t ...
boxer, having the skills to be nominated for Canada's
1932 Olympic Boxing team.
Career
Subsequent to graduating from
Ridley College, Cronyn switched majors, from pre-law to drama, while attending
McGill University
McGill University (french: link=no, Université McGill) is an English-language public research university located in Montreal, Quebec
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the second-most populous city in Canada and most populous ...
, and continued his acting studies thereafter, under
Max Reinhardt and at the
American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 1934, the same year he joined
The Lambs
The Lambs, Inc. (also known as The Lambs Club) is a social club in New York City for actors, songwriters, and others involved in the theatre. It is America's oldest theatrical organization. "The Lambs" is a registered trademark of The Lambs, Inc ...
, he made his
Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
debut as a janitor in ''Hipper's Holiday'' and became known for his versatility, playing a number of different roles on stage. He won a
Drama Desk Special Award
The Drama Desk Special Award is an annual award presented by Drama Desk in recognition of achievements by an individual or an organization that has made a significant contribution to the theatre among Broadway, Off Broadway and Off-Off Broadway ...
in 1986. In 1990, he was awarded the
National Medal of Arts.
His first Hollywood film was
Alfred Hitchcock's ''
Shadow of a Doubt'' (1943). He later appeared in Hitchcock's ''
Lifeboat'' (1944) and worked on the screenplays of ''
Rope
A rope is a group of yarns, plies, fibres, or strands that are twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have tensile strength and so can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger than similar ...
'' (1948) and ''
Under Capricorn'' (1949). He was nominated for an
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in ''
The Seventh Cross'' (1944) and won a
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...
for his performance as
Polonius opposite
Richard Burton
Richard Burton (; born Richard Walter Jenkins Jr.; 10 November 1925 – 5 August 1984) was a Welsh actor. Noted for his baritone voice, Burton established himself as a formidable Shakespearean actor in the 1950s, and he gave a memorable pe ...
's ''
Hamlet
''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...
'' (1964). Cronyn bought the screenplay ''What Nancy Wanted'' from
Norma Barzman, who was later blacklisted with her husband
Ben Barzman, with the idea of producing the film and starring Tandy. However, he sold the screenplay to
RKO
RKO Radio Pictures Inc., commonly known as RKO Pictures or simply RKO, was an American film production and distribution company, one of the "Big Five" film studios of Hollywood's Golden Age. The business was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheu ...
which later filmed it as ''
The Locket The Locket may refer to:
*The Locket (1946 film), an American film directed by John Brahm
* ''The Locket'' (1970 film), a Spanish film directed by Rafael Gil
* ''The Locket'' (2002 film), an American television film directed by Karen Arthur
* "The L ...
'' (1946). Cronyn also made appearances in television, ''
The Barbara Stanwyck Show
''The Barbara Stanwyck Show'' is an American anthology drama television series which ran on NBC from September 1960 to September 1961. Barbara Stanwyck served as hostess, and starred in all but four of the half-hour productions. The four in which ...
'', the ''
Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' episode "Kill With Kindness" (1956) and ''
Hawaii Five-O
Hawaii Five-O or Hawaii Five-0 may refer to:
* ''Hawaii Five-0'' (2010 TV series), an American action police procedural television series
* ''Hawaii Five-O'' (1968 TV series), an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productio ...
'' episodes "Over Fifty? Steal" (1970) and "Odd Man In" (1971).
Cronyn had an association with the
Stratford Festival as a member of both the acting company and its board of governors. He played
Shylock in
The Merchant of Venice
''The Merchant of Venice'' is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. A merchant in Venice named Antonio defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock.
Although classified as ...
in 1976, and debuted his play
Foxfire in 1980. The play would later move to Broadway (and won Tandy a Best Actress
Tony
Tony may refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Tony (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters
* Gregory Tony (born 1978), American law enforcement officer
* Motu Tony (born 1981), New Zealand international rugby leagu ...
award), and a
film version was made in 1987.
In 1990 he won an
Emmy award for his role in the TV Movie ''Age Old Friends''.
Marriages and family
Cronyn's first marriage was to the philanthropist Emily Woodruff in late 1934 or early 1935. They shared a "
lavender marriage
A lavender marriage is a male–female mixed-orientation marriage, undertaken as a marriage of convenience to conceal the socially stigmatised sexual orientation of one or both partners. The term dates from the early 20th century and is used al ...
" and never lived together. Woodruff insisted that the marriage remain a secret because of her lesbian relationships. They quietly divorced in 1936.
Cronyn married the actress
Jessica Tandy
Jessie Alice Tandy (7 June 1909 – 11 September 1994) was a British-American actress. Tandy appeared in over 100 stage productions and had more than 60 roles in film and TV, receiving an Academy Award, four Tony Awards, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe ...
in 1942, and appeared with her in many of their more memorable dramatic stage, film and television outings, including ''
The Green Years
''The Green Years'' is a 1944 novel by A. J. Cronin which traces the formative years of an Irish orphan, Robert Shannon, who is sent to live with his draconian maternal grandparents in Scotland. An introspective child, Robert forms an attachme ...
'' (1946), ''
The Seventh Cross'' (1944), ''
The Gin Game
''The Gin Game'' is a two-person, two-act play by Donald L. Coburn that premiered at American Theater Arts in Hollywood in September 1976, directed by Kip Niven. It was Coburn's first play, and the theater's first production. The play won the 197 ...
'' (1977), ''
Foxfire'' (1987), ''
The World According to Garp'' (1982), ''
Cocoon'' (1985), ''
*batteries not included'' (1987), ''
Cocoon: The Return'' (1988), ''To Dance with the White Dog (1993)'' and ''
Camilla'' (1994).
The couple starred in a short-lived (1953–1954) radio series, ''The Marriage'' (based on their earlier Broadway play, ''
The Fourposter''), playing New York attorney Ben Marriott and his wife, former fashion buyer Liz, struggling with her switch to domestic life and their raising an awkward teenage daughter (future soap opera star
Denise Alexander
Denise Alexander is an American actress, best known for her role as Lesley Webber on ''General Hospital'', a role she originally played from 1973 to 1984 (contract), 1996 to 2009, and a guest stint in 2013, in honor of the show's 50th anniversa ...
). The show was scheduled to move from radio to television, with Cronyn producing as well as acting in the show. However, Tandy suffered a miscarriage and the show's debut was delayed a week. The series, which was the first situation comedy broadcast in color, premiered in July 1954 to "warm and enthusiastic reviews"; eight episodes were aired.
The couple had a daughter, Tandy, and a son, Christopher. Cronyn and Tandy lived in the Bahamas, then at a lakeside estate in Pound Ridge, New York, and, finally, in Easton, Connecticut. Jessica Tandy died in 1994, aged 85, from ovarian cancer.
After he was widowed, Cronyn married author/playwright
Susan Cooper
Susan Mary Cooper (born 23 May 1935) is an English author of children's books. She is best known for '' The Dark Is Rising'', a contemporary fantasy series set in England and Wales, which incorporates British mythology such as the Arthurian le ...
(with whom he had co-written ''Foxfire'') in July 1996. His 1991 autobiography, which covered his life and career up to the mid-1960s, was titled ''A Terrible Liar'' (). His intention to write a second volume never materialized. Cronyn died on June 15, 2003, from
prostate cancer, one month before his 92nd birthday.
Honours
In 1979, Cronyn was inducted into the
American Theater Hall of Fame
The American Theater Hall of Fame in New York City was founded in 1972. Earl Blackwell was the first head of the organization's Executive Committee. In an announcement in 1972, he said that the new ''Theater Hall of Fame'' would be located in the ...
. On July 11, 1988, he was appointed as an Officer of the
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit.
To coincide with the cen ...
, giving him the
post nominal letters "OC" for life.
Cronyn was inducted into
Canada's Walk of Fame
Canada's Walk of Fame (french: link=no, Allée des célébrités canadiennes) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a walk of fame that acknowledges the achievements and accomplishments of Canadians who have excelled in their respective fields. It is a ...
in 1999. He also received the
125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
The 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (french: Médaille commémorative du 125e anniversaire de la Confédération du Canada) is a commemorative medal struck by the Royal Canadian Mint to commemorate the 125th anniversary of ...
in 1992 and the Canadian version of the
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
He was awarded an
Honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LLD) by the
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario (UWO), also known as Western University or Western, is a public research university in London, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land, surrounded by residential neighbourhoods and the Thames R ...
on October 26, 1974. His wife,
Jessica Tandy
Jessie Alice Tandy (7 June 1909 – 11 September 1994) was a British-American actress. Tandy appeared in over 100 stage productions and had more than 60 roles in film and TV, receiving an Academy Award, four Tony Awards, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe ...
, was given the same degree on the same day.
Filmography
Film
Television
Stage
* ''Hipper's Holiday'' – 1934
* ''High Tor'' – 1937
* ''There's Always a Breeze'' – 1938
* ''Escape This Night'' – 1938
* ''Off to Buffalo'' – 1939
* ''Three Sisters'' – 1939
* ''The Weak Link'' – 1940
* ''Retreat to Pleasure'' – 1940
* ''Mr. Big'' – 1941
* ''Portrait of a Madonna'' – 1946 (Director)
* ''The Survivors'' – 1948
* ''Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep'' – 1950
* ''Hilda Crane'' – 1950
* ''The Little Blue Light'' – 1951
* ''
The Fourposter'' – 1951
* ''
The Honeys
The Honeys (originally the Rovell Sisters) were an American girl group, formed in Los Angeles in 1958, that initially comprised sisters Marilyn, Diane, and Barbara Rovell. Barbara was later replaced by their cousin, Ginger Blake. After 1962, ...
'' – 1955
* ''A Day by the Sea'' – 1955
* ''The Egghead'' – 1957
* ''The Man in the Dog Suit'' – 1958
* ''Triple Play'' – 1959
* ''
Big Fish, Little Fish'' – 1961
* ''
Hamlet
''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...
'' – 1964 (
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...
for role of Polonius)
* ''The Physicists'' – 1964
* ''Slow Dance on the Killing Ground'' – 1964
* ''A Delicate Balance'' – 1966
* ''Promenade, All!'' – 1972
* ''Noël Coward in Two Keys'' – 1974
* ''
The Gin Game
''The Gin Game'' is a two-person, two-act play by Donald L. Coburn that premiered at American Theater Arts in Hollywood in September 1976, directed by Kip Niven. It was Coburn's first play, and the theater's first production. The play won the 197 ...
'' – 1977 (performed, produced)
* ''
Foxfire'' – 1982 (performed, wrote play and lyrics)
* ''The Petition'' – 1986
Radio appearances
References
External links
*
*
*
Hume Cronynat Virtual History
Order of Canada Citation*
Katharine Cronyn Harley fonds (R11163)at
Library and Archives Canada. The fonds includes many records related to Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cronyn, Hume
1911 births
2003 deaths
Canadian male film actors
Canadian emigrants to the United States
Canadian male stage actors
Canadian male television actors
Canadian male voice actors
Canadian people of English descent
Canadian people of Irish descent
Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie Primetime Emmy Award winners
Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie Primetime Emmy Award winners
Kennedy Center honorees
McGill University alumni
Officers of the Order of Canada
Male actors from London, Ontario
Deaths from prostate cancer
Tony Award winners
United States National Medal of Arts recipients
Deaths from cancer in Connecticut
20th-century Canadian male actors
People with acquired American citizenship
People from Pound Ridge, New York
People from Easton, Connecticut
Ridley College alumni
Special Tony Award recipients