James Allen Whitmore Jr. (October 1, 1921 – February 6, 2009) was an American actor. He received numerous accolades, including a
Golden Globe Award, a
Grammy Award
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...
, a
Primetime Emmy Award
The Primetime Emmy Awards, or Primetime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), the Primetime ...
, a
Theatre World Award
The Theatre World Award is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or Off-Broadway. It was first awarded for the 1945–1946 theatre se ...
, and 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 ...
, plus two
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
nominations.
Biography
Early life and military service
Born in
White Plains, New York
(Always Faithful)
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, seal_link =
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, subdivision_name =
, subdivision_type1 = U.S. state, State
, su ...
, to Florence Belle (née Crane) and James Allen Whitmore Sr., a park commission official, Whitmore attended
Amherst Central High School
Amherst Central High School (ACHS) is a public High school (North America), high school in Snyder, New York, Snyder, New York (state), New York, United States, a Hamlet (New York), hamlet within the town of Amherst, New York, Amherst, which is wit ...
in
Snyder, New York
Snyder (originally Snyderville) is a hamlet within the town of Amherst in Erie County, New York, that is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The hamlet was established in 1837. It was named for Michael Snyder, its first postmas ...
, for three years, before transferring to the
Choate School in
Wallingford, Connecticut
Wallingford is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, centrally located between New Haven and Hartford, and Boston and New York City. The population was 44,396 at the 2020 census. The community was named after Wallingford, in En ...
, on a football scholarship. He went on to study at
Yale University
Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wo ...
, but he had to quit playing football after severely injuring his knees.
["James Whitmore dies at 87" by Dennis McLellan. Los Angeles Times, February 7, 2009.] After giving up football, he turned to the Yale Dramatic Society and began acting. While at Yale, he was a member of
Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones, also known as The Order, Order 322 or The Brotherhood of Death, is an undergraduate senior secret student society at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. The oldest senior class society at the university, Skull and Bone ...
, and was among the founders of the Yale radio station (the student-run WOCD-AM, later renamed WYBC-AM). Whitmore planned on becoming a lawyer and graduated with a major in government from Yale University. After the outbreak of World War II, he enlisted in the
United States Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES or MFR), also known as the United States Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR) and the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, is the reserve force of the United States Marine Corps. It is the largest command, by assigned p ...
in 1942 while finishing his degree, which he completed in 1944. In the Marines, he trained at
Parris Island
Parris is both a given name and surname. Notable people with the name include:
Given name
* Parris Afton Bonds, American novelist
* Parris Campbell (born 1997), American football player
* Parris Duffus (born 1970), retired American ice hockey go ...
and
Quantico, Virginia
Quantico ( or ; formerly Potomac) is a town in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. The population was 480 at the 2010 census. Quantico is approximately 35 miles southwest of Washington, DC, bordered by the Potomac River to the east ...
, and
Officers Candidate School, and was commissioned a
second lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank.
Australia
The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...
. After further training he was assigned to the
4th Marine Division
The 4th Marine Division is a reserve division in the United States Marine Corps. It was raised in 1943 for service during World War II, and subsequently fought in the Pacific against the Japanese. Deactivated after the war, the division was re-fo ...
on
Saipan
Saipan ( ch, Sa’ipan, cal, Seipél, formerly in es, Saipán, and in ja, 彩帆島, Saipan-tō) is the largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands, a Commonwealth (U.S. insular area), commonwealth of the United States in the western Pa ...
in July 1944. While at
Tinian
Tinian ( or ; old Japanese name: 天仁安島, ''Tenian-shima'') is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Together with uninhabited neighboring Aguiguan, it forms Tinian Municipality, one of the ...
, he contracted
amoebic dysentery
Amoebiasis, or amoebic dysentery, is an infection of the intestines caused by a parasitic amoeba ''Entamoeba histolytica''. Amoebiasis can be present with no, mild, or severe symptoms. Symptoms may include lethargy, loss of weight, colonic u ...
and was hospitalized. Following his hospitalization, he served guard duty at the
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone ( es, Zona del Canal de Panamá), also simply known as the Canal Zone, was an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the Isthmus of Panama, that existed from 1903 to 1979. It was located within the terr ...
until his discharge in March 1946.
Marriage and later life
![James Whitmore family 1954](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/James_Whitmore_family_1954.JPG)
After World War II, Whitmore studied acting at the American Theatre Wing and the
Actors Studio in New York. At this time, Whitmore met his first wife, Nancy Mygatt.
They married in 1947, and the couple had three sons before their divorce in 1971. The eldest son, James III, found success as a television actor and director under the name
James Whitmore Jr.
James Allen Whitmore III (born October 24, 1948), better known as James Whitmore Jr., is an American actor and director, best known for his roles as Captain Jim Gutterman on the television program '' Baa Baa Black Sheep'', Freddie Beamer in ''The ...
The second son, Stephen, became the public spokesman for the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD), officially the County of Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, is a law enforcement agency serving Los Angeles County, California. LASD is the largest sheriff's department in the United States a ...
.
[See the 2009 obituary on James Whitmore by The Associated Press, posted on www.legacy.com.] The youngest son, Daniel, was a
Forest Service Snow Ranger and firefighter before he launched his own construction company. In 1979, Whitmore and Mygatt remarried, but they divorced again after two years.
Whitmore was married to actress
Audra Lindley
Audra Marie Lindley (September 24, 1918 – October 16, 1997) was an American actress, most famous for her role as landlady Helen Roper on the sitcom ''Three's Company'' and its spin-off ''The Ropers''.
Life and career
Audra Lindley was born ...
from 1972 until 1979. He co-starred in several stage performances with her both during and after their marriage. These included ''Elba'' (a play by Vaughn McBride about an elderly couple who escape from the nursing home);
William Gibson's ''Handy Dandy'' (he as a conservative judge, she as a liberal nun); and Tom Cole's ''About Time'' (in which they played characters identified simply as the Old Man and the Old Woman).
In 2001, he married actress and author
Noreen Nash
Noreen Nash (born Norabelle Jean Roth; April 4, 1924) is an American retired film and television actress. In the beginning of her career, she had uncredited parts at MGM. In 1945, she appeared in '' The Southerner'', after which she had mostly l ...
. Whitmore is the grandfather of ''
Survivor: Gabon'' contestant
Matty Whitmore
''Survivor (American TV series), Survivor'' is an American reality television show, based on the Swedish program, ''Expedition Robinson''. Contestants are referred to as "castaways" and they compete against one another to become the "Sole Survivo ...
. In 2010, James Whitmore Jr., and his two children (grandchildren of James Whitmore), actress-director Aliah Whitmore and artist-production designer Jacob Whitmore, formed the theatre group Whitmore Eclectic. They perform in Los Angeles, California.
["The Whitmore Family Will Never Grow out of This Stage" by Susan King. ''Los Angeles Times,'' May 7, 2013.]
In his later years, Whitmore spent his summers in
Peterborough, New Hampshire
Peterborough is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 6,418 at the 2020 census. The main village, with 3,090 people at the 2020 census, is defined as the Peterborough census-designated place (CDP) and ...
, performing with the Peterborough Players.
Although not always politically active, in 2007, Whitmore generated some publicity with his endorsement of
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Obama was the first African-American president of the U ...
for U.S. President.
In January 2008, Whitmore appeared in television commercials for the First Freedom First campaign, which advocates preserving "the separation of church and state" and protecting religious liberty.
[ "An avid flower and vegetable gardener, Whitmore was also known to TV viewers as the longtime commercial pitchman for Miracle-Gro garden products."][
A ]Democrat
Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to:
Politics
*A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people.
*A member of a Democratic Party:
**Democratic Party (United States) (D)
**Democratic ...
, he supported the campaign of Adlai Stevenson during the 1952 presidential election.
Career
Film and television
Following World War II, Whitmore appeared on Broadway in the role of the sergeant in '' Command Decision.'' Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by amazon (company), Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded o ...
gave Whitmore a contract, but his role in the film adaptation was played by Van Johnson
Charles Van Dell Johnson (August 25, 1916 – December 12, 2008) was an American film, television, theatre and radio actor. He was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during and after World War II.
Johnson was described as the embodiment o ...
. His first major picture for MGM was '' Battleground,'' in a role that was turned down by Spencer Tracy
Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing style and versatility. One of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was the first actor to win two cons ...
, to whom Whitmore bore a noted physical resemblance. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role, and won the Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of t ...
as Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role. Other major films included '' Angels in the Outfield,'' ''The Asphalt Jungle
''The Asphalt Jungle'' is a 1950 American film noir heist film directed by John Huston. Based on the 1949 novel of the same name by W. R. Burnett, it tells the story of a jewel robbery in a Midwestern city. The film stars Sterling Hayden and L ...
'', ''The Next Voice You Hear The Next Voice You Hear may refer to:
*'' The Next Voice You Hear...'', a 1950 drama film
*'' The Next Voice You Hear: The Best of Jackson Browne'', an album by Jackson Browne
{{DEFAULTSORT:Next Voice You Hear, The ...
'', '' Above and Beyond'', ''Kiss Me, Kate
''Kiss Me, Kate'' is a musical written by Bella and Samuel Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The story involves the production of a musical version of William Shakespeare's ''The Taming of the Shrew'' and the conflict on and off-stag ...
'', ''Them!
''Them!'' is a 1954 American black-and-white science fiction film, science fiction monster film from Warner Bros. Pictures, produced by David Weisbart, directed by Gordon Douglas (director), Gordon Douglas, and starring James Whitmore, Edmund ...
'', ''Oklahoma!
''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...
'', ''Black Like Me
''Black Like Me'', first published in 1961, is a nonfiction book by journalist John Howard Griffin recounting his journey in the Deep South of the United States, at a time when African-Americans lived under racial segregation. Griffin was a nat ...
'', ''Guns of the Magnificent Seven
''Guns of the Magnificent Seven'' is a 1969 Western, styled in the genre of a Zapata Western, the second sequel to the classic 1960 Western action film ''The Magnificent Seven'', itself based on Akira Kurosawa's '' Seven Samurai'' (1954). The ...
'', ''Tora! Tora! Tora!
''Tora! Tora! Tora!'' ( ja, トラ・トラ・トラ!) is a 1970 epic war film that dramatizes the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The film was produced by Elmo Williams and directed by Richard Fleischer, Toshio Masuda and Kinji ...
'', and ''Give 'em Hell, Harry!
''Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' is a biographical play and 1975 film, written by playwright Samuel Gallu. Both the play and film are a one-man show about former President of the United States Harry S. Truman. ''Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' stars James Whi ...
'', a one-man show for which Whitmore was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor
The Academy Award for Best Actor is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given to an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a leading role in a film released that year. The ...
for his portrayal of former U.S. President Harry S Truman
Harry may refer to:
TV shows
* ''Harry'' (American TV series), a 1987 American comedy series starring Alan Arkin
* ''Harry'' (British TV series), a 1993 BBC drama that ran for two seasons
* ''Harry'' (talk show), a 2016 American daytime talk show ...
. In the film ''Tora! Tora! Tora!'', he played Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey.
Whitmore appeared during the 1950s on many television anthology series
An anthology series is a radio, television, video game or film series that spans different genres and presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a differ ...
. He was cast as Father Emil Kapaun
Emil Joseph Kapaun (April 20, 1916 – May 23, 1951) was a Roman Catholic priest and United States Army captain who served as a United States Army chaplain during World War II and the Korean War. Kapaun was a chaplain in the Burma Theate ...
in the 1955 episode "The Good Thief" in the ABC
ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet.
ABC or abc may also refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting
* American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster
** Disney–ABC Television ...
religion anthology series
An anthology series is a radio, television, video game or film series that spans different genres and presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a differ ...
''Crossroads
Crossroads, crossroad, cross road or similar may refer to:
* Crossroads (junction), where four roads meet
Film and television Films
* ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa
* ''Cross Roads'' (film), a 1930 Brit ...
''. Other roles followed on '' Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theater'', ''Lux Video Theatre
''Lux Video Theatre'' is an American television anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1957. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays.
Overview
The ''Lux Vid ...
'', ''Kraft Theatre
''Kraft Television Theatre'' is an American anthology drama television series running from 1947 to 1958. It began May 7, 1947 on NBC, airing at 7:30pm on Wednesday evenings until December of that year. It first promoted MacLaren's Imperial Chees ...
'', ''Studio One in Hollywood
''Studio One'' is an American anthology drama television series that was adapted from a radio series. It was created in 1947 by Canadian director Fletcher Markle, who came to CBS from the CBC. It premiered on November 7, 1948 and ended on Sept ...
'', ''Schlitz Playhouse
''Schlitz Playhouse of Stars'' is an anthology series that was telecast from 1951 until 1959 on CBS. Offering both Television comedy, comedies and Dramatic programming, drama, the series was sponsored by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The ti ...
'', ''Matinee Theatre
''Matinee Theater'' is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from October 31, 1955, to June 27, 1958. Its name is often seen as ''Matinee Theatre''.
The series, which ran daily from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. E ...
'', and the ''Ford Television Theatre
''General Motors Theatre'' (also known as ''CBC Theatre, Encounter, Ford Television Theatre,'' and ''General Motors Presents'') was a Canadian television anthology drama series of television plays, which ran on CBC Television under various titl ...
.'' In 1958, he carried the lead in "The Gabe Carswell Story" of NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...
's ''Wagon Train
''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...
'', with Ward Bond.
In the 1960–1961 television season, Whitmore starred in his own ABC crime drama
Crime films, in the broadest sense, is a film genre inspired by and analogous to the crime fiction literary genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and its detection. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combine ...
, ''The Law and Mr. Jones
''The Law and Mr. Jones'' is an American legal drama series starring James Whitmore. The series aired on ABC in two nonconsecutive seasons from October 7, 1960 to June 2, 1961, and again from April 19 to July 12, 1962. The program was created and ...
'', in the title role, with Conlan Carter
Chester Conlan Carter (born October 3, 1934) is an American film, stage and television actor. He is perhaps best known for playing the medic "Doc" in the American drama television series '' Combat!'', for which he was nominated for a Primetime ...
as legal assistant C.E. Carruthers and Janet De Gore
Janet De Gore (November 19, 1930 – June 11, 2022) was an American television and theatre actress.
Born in Larchmont, New York, De Gore began her career in 1950 starring as Janice in the Broadway play ''The Member of the Wedding''.
De Gore a ...
as Jones' secretary. The program ran in the 10:30 pm Eastern half-hour slot on Friday. It was cancelled after one year, but returned in April 1962 for 13 additional episodes on Thursdays.
In 1963, Whitmore played Captain William Benteen in ''The Twilight Zone
''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, su ...
'' episode "On Thursday We Leave for Home
"On Thursday We Leave for Home" is an episode of the American television anthology series ''The Twilight Zone''. In this episode, a struggling colony on a distant planet awaits the arrival of a ship that will take them back to Earth. The story cen ...
". Whitmore also appeared in Route 66 on January 18, 1963, as Ralph Vincent in “A Gift for a Warrior.” He appeared twice in ''Twelve O'Clock High
''Twelve O'Clock High'' is a 1949 American war film about aircrews in the United States Army's Eighth Air Force, who flew daylight bombing missions against Germany and Occupied France during the early days of American involvement in World War II ...
''. In 1965, Whitmore guest-starred as Col. Paul "Pappy" Hartley in Season 1, Episode 32 "The Hero" and as Col. Harry Connelly in 1966 Season 3, Episode 12 "The Ace". He also appeared in an episode of ''Combat!
''Combat!'' is an American television drama series that originally aired on ABC from 1962 until 1967. The exclamation point in ''Combat!'' was depicted on-screen as a stylized bayonet. The show covered the grim lives of a squad of American sol ...
'' titled "The Cassock", as a German officer masquerading as a Catholic priest. In 1967, he guest-starred as a security guard in ''The Invaders
''The Invaders'' is an American science-fiction television series created by Larry Cohen that aired on ABC for two seasons, from 1967 to 1968. Roy Thinnes stars as David Vincent, who after stumbling across evidence of an in-progress invas ...
'' episode, "Quantity: Unknown". That same year, Whitmore also appeared on an episode of ABC's ''Custer
George Armstrong Custer (December 5, 1839 – June 25, 1876) was a United States Army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the American Indian Wars.
Custer graduated from West Point in 1861 at the bottom of his class, b ...
'' starring Wayne Maunder in the title role.
In 1968, he appeared as head of the Simian Assembly in the ''Planet of the Apes
''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
.'' In 1969, he played the leading character of Professor Woodruff in the TV series ''My Friend Tony
''My Friend Tony'' is an American crime drama that aired on NBC in 1969. The pilot originally aired as "My Pal Tony" on ''The Danny Thomas Hour'' on March 4, 1968.
Synopsis
The series features Enzo Cerusico as the title character, Tony Novello, a ...
,'' produced by NBC. Whitmore also made several memorable appearances on the classic ABC Western
Western may refer to:
Places
*Western, Nebraska, a village in the US
*Western, New York, a town in the US
*Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia
*Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia
*Western world, countries that id ...
''The Big Valley
''The Big Valley'' is an American Western drama television series that originally aired from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969 on ABC. The series is set on the fictional Barkley Ranch in Stockton, California, from 1884 to 1888. The one-hour e ...
'' starring Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck (; born Ruby Catherine Stevens; July 16, 1907 – January 20, 1990) was an American actress, model and dancer. A stage, film, and television star, during her 60-year professional career she was known for her strong, realistic sc ...
, and the classic NBC Western '' The Virginian'' starring James Drury
James Child Drury Jr. (April 18, 1934 – April 6, 2020) was an American actor. He is best known for having played the title role in the 90-minute weekly Western television series '' The Virginian'', which was broadcast on NBC from 1962 to ...
, during the second half of the 1960s.
From 1972 to 1973, Whitmore played Dr. Vincent Campanelli in the short-lived ABC medical sitcom ''Temperatures Rising
''Temperatures Rising'' is an American television sitcom that aired on the ABC network from September 12, 1972 to August 29, 1974. During its 46-episode run, it was presented in three different formats and cast line-ups. The series was develo ...
.''
Whitmore appeared as General Oliver O. Howard in the 1975 television film ''I Will Fight No More Forever
''I Will Fight No More Forever'' is a 1975 made-for-television Western film starring James Whitmore as General Oliver O. Howard and Ned Romero as Chief Joseph. It is a dramatization of Chief Joseph's resistance to the U.S. government's forcibl ...
'', based on the 1877 conflict between the United States Army and the Nez Percé tribe, led by Chief Joseph
''Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt'' (or ''Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it'' in Americanist orthography), popularly known as Chief Joseph, Young Joseph, or Joseph the Younger (March 3, 1840 – September 21, 1904), was a leader of the Wal-lam-wat-kain (Wallowa ...
. In 1979, Whitmore hosted a talk show of 22 episodes called simply ''Comeback.'' One of those segments focuses on the helicopter inventor Igor Sikorsky
Igor Ivanovich Sikorsky (russian: И́горь Ива́нович Сико́рский, p=ˈiɡərʲ ɪˈvanəvitʃ sʲɪˈkorskʲɪj, a=Ru-Igor Sikorsky.ogg, tr. ''Ígor' Ivánovich Sikórskiy''; May 25, 1889 – October 26, 1972)Fortie ...
. In 1980 he starred as Borski, a therapist treating imprisoned sex-offenders, in the made-for-television movie ''Rage!'' directed by William A. Graham. In 1980 Whitmore appeared as Jake Reeves the terminally ill father of coach Reeves in a two episode arc of the television series ''White Shadow.'' In 1986, Whitmore voiced Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has p ...
in the first claymation
Clay animation or claymation, sometimes plasticine animation, is one of many forms of stop-motion animation. Each animated piece, either character or background, is "deformable"—made of a malleable substance, usually plasticine clay.
Tra ...
feature film '' The Adventures of Mark Twain.''
In 1994, Whitmore played the role of prison librarian Brooks Hatlen in the critically acclaimed and Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
-nominated 1994 Frank Darabont
Frank Árpád Darabont (born Ferenc Árpád Darabont, January 28, 1959) is an American film director, screenwriter and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In his early career, he was primarily a s ...
film ''The Shawshank Redemption
''The Shawshank Redemption'' is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella ''Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption''. It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), w ...
'', starring Tim Robbins
Timothy Francis Robbins (born October 16, 1958) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for portraying Andy Dufresne in the film ''The Shawshank Redemption ''(1994), and has won an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards for his role ...
and Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, director, and narrator. He is known for his distinctive deep voice and various roles in a wide variety of film genres. Throughout his career spanning over five decades, he has received ...
; Whitmore received much praise for his poignant portrayal of Brooks, the old con and the role won him a legion of new fans. Two years later, he co-starred in the 1996 horror/sci-fi film ''The Relic
''The Relic'' is a 1997 American monster- horror film directed by Peter Hyams and based on the best-selling 1995 novel '' Relic'' by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The film stars Penelope Ann Miller, Tom Sizemore, Linda Hunt, and James W ...
.'' In 1999, he played Raymond Oz in two episodes of ''The Practice
''The Practice'' is an American legal drama television series created by David E. Kelley centering on partners and associates at a Boston law firm. The show ran for eight seasons on ABC, from March 4, 1997, to May 16, 2004. It won an Emmy in ...
,'' earning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.
In 2002, Whitmore played the role of the grandfather in the Disney Channel original film '' A Ring of Endless Light.'' Also in 2002, Whitmore played a supporting role in '' The Majestic,'' a film that starred Jim Carrey. In 2003, Whitmore appeared as Josh Brolin
Joshua James Brolin (; born February 12, 1968) is an American actor. He has appeared in films such as ''The Goonies'' (1985), ''Mimic'' (1997), ''Hollow Man'' (2000), ''Grindhouse'' (2007), ''No Country for Old Men'' (2007), '' American Gangste ...
's father on the short-lived NBC drama series ''Mister Sterling
''Mister Sterling'' is an American serial drama television series created by Lawrence O'Donnell for NBC. The series ran from January 10 to March 14, 2003. Starring Josh Brolin as an idealistic United States Senator, the series featured Audra McD ...
'', for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award.
In April 2007, he made his last screen appearance in a '' C.S.I.'' episode titled "Ending Happy
The seventh season of '' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' premiered on CBS on September 21, 2006, and ended May 17, 2007. The series stars William Petersen and Marg Helgenberger.
Plot
Catherine heads to a small town in Nevada ("Leaving Las Vega ...
" as Milton, an elderly man.
Theatre work
"Whitmore often said he found acting in films and television boring because of the long waits between scenes; his passion was for the theater, and he continued to act on stage throughout his long career."[ Whitmore first ventured into acting at Yale University – severe knee injuries sidelined him from football, so he turned to the Yale Dramatic Society. After serving in the Marines he toured the South Pacific in a USO tour, then returned to America, where he studied acting for six months at the American Theatre Wing in New York and the Actors Studio. Afterward, he was hired by a summer stock company in Peterborough, New Hampshire – The Peterborough Players. In 1947 he was selected to appear in a production of '' All My Sons'', representing the U.S. at the ]World Youth Festival
The World Festival of Youth and Students is an international event organized by the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) and the International Union of Students after 1947. History
The festival has been held regularly since 1947 as an ev ...
in Prague.
His first play on Broadway – ''Command Decision'' – in which Whitmore played the part of Tech Sergeant Harold Evans, was the smash hit of 1947, and Whitmore received a non-competitive Special Tony Award
The Special Tony Award category includes the Lifetime Achievement Tony Award and the Special Tony Award. These are non-competitive honorary awards, and the titles have changed over the years. The Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre ...
for "Best Newcomer of the Season". Whitmore continued to be active in the theatre for all of his career, performing on Broadway, at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC, and on tour. He later won the title "King of the One Man Show" after appearing in the solo vehicles ''Will Rogers' USA
''Will Rogers' USA'' is a one-man play about humorist Will Rogers that James Whitmore appeared in for more than 30 years. It was first staged by Frankie Hewitt at the Loretto-Hilton Theater in Webster Groves, Missouri in January 1970Dennis McClell ...
'' (1970) (repeating the role for TV in 1972); as Harry Truman
Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. A leader of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 34th vice president from January to April 1945 under Franklin ...
in ''Give 'em Hell, Harry!
''Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' is a biographical play and 1975 film, written by playwright Samuel Gallu. Both the play and film are a one-man show about former President of the United States Harry S. Truman. ''Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' stars James Whi ...
'' (1975) (repeating the role in the film version, for which he was nominated for an Oscar
Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to:
People
* Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms.
* Oscar (Irish mythology) ...
); and as Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( ; October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919), often referred to as Teddy or by his initials, T. R., was an American politician, statesman, soldier, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer who served as the 26t ...
in ''Bully'' (1977), although the latter production did not repeat the success of the first two.
"Whitmore, who was an early student at the Actors Studio in New York in the late '40s, taught an acting workshop after moving to Hollywood. Among his students in the early '50s was young James Dean, whom Whitmore advised to go to New York. 'I owe a lot to Whitmore,' Dean told ''Seventeen'' magazine in 1955. 'One thing he said helped more than anything. He told me I didn't know the difference between acting as a soft job and acting as a difficult art.'"[ Whitmore often returned to New Hampshire to the Peterborough Players, where he got his start in summer stock – in 2008 he played the stage manager in ''Our Town.''] Each year the Peterborough Players award the "James Whitmore Award" to an excellent intern at the theatre.
Death
Whitmore was diagnosed with lung cancer in November 2008. He died from the disease at the age of 87 on February 6, 2009, at his Malibu, California
Malibu ( ; es, Malibú; Chumash: ) is a beach city in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, situated about west of Downtown Los Angeles. It is known for its Mediterranean climate and its strip of the Malibu ...
home.[
]
Work
Partial filmography
1940s
*''The Undercover Man
''The Undercover Man'' is a 1949 American crime film noir directed by Joseph H. Lewis and starring Glenn Ford.
Plot
Frank Warren is a treasury agent assigned to put an end to the activities of a powerful mob crime boss. The agent struggles to pu ...
'' (1949) as George Pappas
*'' Battleground'' (1949) as Kinnie
1950s
* ''The Outriders
''The Outriders'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Roy Rowland and starring Joel McCrea.
Plot
With the Civil War nearing an end, rebel soldiers Will Owen, Jesse Wallace, and Clint Priest escape from a Union stockade in Missouri. ...
'' (1950) as Clint Priest
* ''Please Believe Me
''Please Believe Me'' is a 1950 American romantic comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, and starring Deborah Kerr, Robert Walker, Mark Stevens and Peter Lawford.
Plot
Alison Kirbe is a young London girl who has just found out she has inheri ...
'' (1950) as Vincent Maran
* ''The Asphalt Jungle
''The Asphalt Jungle'' is a 1950 American film noir heist film directed by John Huston. Based on the 1949 novel of the same name by W. R. Burnett, it tells the story of a jewel robbery in a Midwestern city. The film stars Sterling Hayden and L ...
'' (1950) as Gus Minissi
* '' The Next Voice You Hear...'' (1950) as Joe Smith, American
* ''Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone
''Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone'' is a 1950 comedy/murder mystery film set on board a train. It stars Marjorie Main and James Whitmore. It is based on the short story "Once Upon a Train (The Loco Motive)" by Stuart Palmer and Craig Rice.
Plot
M ...
'' (1950) as John J. Malone
* ''The Red Badge of Courage
''The Red Badge of Courage'' is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane (1871–1900). Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Ove ...
'' (1951) as Narrator (voice, uncredited)
* '' Angels in the Outfield'' (1951) as Angel voice (voice, uncredited)
* '' Across the Wide Missouri'' (1951) as Old Bill (uncredited)
* '' It's a Big Country'' (1951) as Mr. Stacey
* ''Shadow in the Sky
''Shadow in the Sky'' is a 1952 American drama film directed by Fred M. Wilcox and starring Ralph Meeker, Nancy Davis, James Whitmore and Jean Hagen. It was produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Plot
Lou and Betty Hopke, who own a gas ...
'' (1952) as Lou Hopke
* '' Because You're Mine'' (1952) as Sergeant 'Bat' Batterson
* '' Above and Beyond'' (1952) as Maj. William 'Bill' M. Uanna – Security Officer, Operation Silverplate
* ''The Girl Who Had Everything
''The Girl Who Had Everything'' is a 1953 American romantic drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and produced by Armande Deutsch for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film features William Powell in his last MGM feature and one of his last film roles b ...
'' (1953) as Charles 'Chico' Menlow
* ''Kiss Me Kate
''Kiss Me, Kate'' is a musical written by Bella and Samuel Spewack with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. The story involves the production of a musical version of William Shakespeare's ''The Taming of the Shrew'' and the conflict on and off-sta ...
'' (1953) as Slug
* '' All the Brothers Were Valiant'' (1953) as Fetcher
* ''The Great Diamond Robbery
''The Great Diamond Robbery'' is a 1954 American comedy film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and starring Red Skelton, James Whitmore, Cara Williams and Reginald Owen. It was produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Plot
A diamond potential ...
'' (1954) as Mr. Remlick, Lawyer
* '' The Command'' (1954) as Sgt. Elliott
* ''Them!
''Them!'' is a 1954 American black-and-white science fiction film, science fiction monster film from Warner Bros. Pictures, produced by David Weisbart, directed by Gordon Douglas (director), Gordon Douglas, and starring James Whitmore, Edmund ...
'' (1954) as Police Sgt. Ben Peterson
* ''Battle Cry
A battle cry or war cry is a yell or chant taken up in battle, usually by members of the same combatant group.
Battle cries are not necessarily articulate (e.g. "Eulaliaaaa!", "Alala"..), although they often aim to invoke patriotic or religious ...
'' (1955) as MSgt. Mac / Narrator
* ''The McConnell Story
''The McConnell Story'' is a 1955 dramatization of the life and career of United States Air Force (USAF) pilot Joseph C. McConnell (1922–1954) directed by Gordon Douglas. McConnell served as a navigator in World War II before becoming the ...
'' (1955) as SSgt. / Maj. / Col. Ty 'Dad' Whitman
* ''Oklahoma!
''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...
'' (1955) as Mr. Carnes
* '' The Last Frontier'' (1955) as Gus
* ''The Eddy Duchin Story
''The Eddy Duchin Story'' is a 1956 Technicolor film biopic of band leader and pianist Eddy Duchin. It was directed by George Sidney, written by Samuel A. Taylor, and starred Tyrone Power and Kim Novak. Harry Stradling received an Academy Award ...
'' (1956) as Lou Sherwood
* ''Crime in the Streets
''Crime in the Streets'' is a 1956 film about juvenile delinquency, directed by Don Siegel and based on a television play written by Reginald Rose. The play first appeared on the Elgin Hour and was directed by Sidney Lumet.
The film, starring J ...
'' (1956) as Ben Wagner
* ''The Young Don't Cry
''The Young Don't Cry'' is a 1957 American drama film directed by Alfred L. Werker and starring Sal Mineo, James Whitmore and J. Carrol Naish.Frascella & Weisel p.290
Plot
An all-boys orphanage is not far from a prison camp near a swamp. Lesli ...
'' (1957) as Rudy Krist
* '' The Deep Six'' (1958) as Commander Warren Meredith
* ''The Restless Years
''The Restless Years'' is an Australian soap opera which followed the lives of several Sydney school-leavers and the drama and relationships faced by young adults. It was created by Reg Watson and produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for N ...
'' (1958) as Ed Henderson
* ''Face of Fire
''Face of Fire'' is a 1959 American drama film directed by Albert Band and written by Louis A. Garfinkle. It is based on the 1898 short story ''The Monster'' by Stephen Crane. The film stars Cameron Mitchell, James Whitmore, Bettye Ackerman, M ...
'' (1959) as Monk Johnson
1960s
*''Who Was That Lady?
''Who Was That Lady?'' is a 1960 black and white American comedy film directed by George Sidney and starring Tony Curtis, Dean Martin, and Janet Leigh.
The movie was made by Ansark-Sidney, distributed by Columbia Pictures and produced by Norman ...
'' (1960) as Harry Powell
*’’Rawhide 1962 Incident of the Dog Faces as Sgt. Joe Duclos
*''Going My Way
''Going My Way'' is a 1944 American musical comedy drama film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald. Written by Frank Butler and Frank Cavett based on a story by McCarey, the film is about a new young priest tak ...
'' as Dr. Corden in "Tell Me When You Get to Heaven" (1963) as Dr. Corden
*''The Twilight Zone
''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, su ...
'', "On Thursday We Leave for Home
"On Thursday We Leave for Home" is an episode of the American television anthology series ''The Twilight Zone''. In this episode, a struggling colony on a distant planet awaits the arrival of a ship that will take them back to Earth. The story cen ...
" (TV Series) (1963) as Captain Benteen
*''Black Like Me
''Black Like Me'', first published in 1961, is a nonfiction book by journalist John Howard Griffin recounting his journey in the Deep South of the United States, at a time when African-Americans lived under racial segregation. Griffin was a nat ...
'' (1964) as John Finley Horton
*'' The Tenderfoot'' (1964), '' Disney's The Wonderful World of Color'' as Captain Ewell
*''Gunsmoke'' (1965) "The Reward" as Jim Forbes
*''Combat!
''Combat!'' is an American television drama series that originally aired on ABC from 1962 until 1967. The exclamation point in ''Combat!'' was depicted on-screen as a stylized bayonet. The show covered the grim lives of a squad of American sol ...
'' "The Cassock" (TV Series) (1965) as Hertzbrun
*''The Big Valley
''The Big Valley'' is an American Western drama television series that originally aired from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969 on ABC. The series is set on the fictional Barkley Ranch in Stockton, California, from 1884 to 1888. The one-hour e ...
'' "The Death Merchant" (1966) as Handy Random
*''The Big Valley
''The Big Valley'' is an American Western drama television series that originally aired from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969 on ABC. The series is set on the fictional Barkley Ranch in Stockton, California, from 1884 to 1888. The one-hour e ...
'' "Target" (1966) as Joshua "Josh" Adam Hawks
*'' Chuka'' (1967) as Lou Trent
*'' Waterhole #3'' (1967) as Capt. Shipley
*''The Big Valley
''The Big Valley'' is an American Western drama television series that originally aired from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969 on ABC. The series is set on the fictional Barkley Ranch in Stockton, California, from 1884 to 1888. The one-hour e ...
'' "Night In a Small Town" (1967) as Tom Willis
*''The Invaders
''The Invaders'' is an American science-fiction television series created by Larry Cohen that aired on ABC for two seasons, from 1967 to 1968. Roy Thinnes stars as David Vincent, who after stumbling across evidence of an in-progress invas ...
'' "Quantity: Unknown" (1967) as Harry Swain
*'' Nobody's Perfect'' (1968) as Capt. Mike Riley
*''Planet of the Apes
''Planet of the Apes'' is an American science fiction media franchise consisting of films, books, television series, comics, and other media about a world in which humans and intelligent apes clash for control. The franchise is based on Frenc ...
'' (1968) as President of the Assembly
*''Madigan
''Madigan'' is a 1968 American neo-noir crime drama thriller film directed by Don Siegel (as Donald Siegel) and starring Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda and Inger Stevens
The screenplay—originally titled ''Friday, Saturday, Sunday''—wa ...
'' (1968) as Chief Insp. Charles Kane
*'' The Split'' (1968) as Herb Sutro
*''Bonanza
''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 13, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running western, the second-longest-running western series on U ...
'' (TV) Episode – "To Die in Darkness" (1968) as John Postley
*''The Big Valley
''The Big Valley'' is an American Western drama television series that originally aired from September 15, 1965, to May 19, 1969 on ABC. The series is set on the fictional Barkley Ranch in Stockton, California, from 1884 to 1888. The one-hour e ...
'' "Shadow of a Giant" (1968) as Marshal Seth Campbell
*''Guns of the Magnificent Seven
''Guns of the Magnificent Seven'' is a 1969 Western, styled in the genre of a Zapata Western, the second sequel to the classic 1960 Western action film ''The Magnificent Seven'', itself based on Akira Kurosawa's '' Seven Samurai'' (1954). The ...
'' (1969) as Levi
1970s
*'' The Challenge'' (1970) (TV) as Overman
*''Tora! Tora! Tora!
''Tora! Tora! Tora!'' ( ja, トラ・トラ・トラ!) is a 1970 epic war film that dramatizes the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The film was produced by Elmo Williams and directed by Richard Fleischer, Toshio Masuda and Kinji ...
'' (1970) as Vice Admiral William F. Halsey
*''Chato's Land
''Chato's Land'' is a 1972 Western Technicolor film directed by Michael Winner, starring Charles Bronson and Jack Palance.
In Apache country, the half-native Chato shoots the local sheriff in self-defense, and finds himself hunted by a posse of ...
'' (1972) as Joshua Everette
*''The Harrad Experiment
''The Harrad Experiment'' is a 1973 coming-of-age film about a fictional school called Harrad College where the students learn about sexuality and experiment with each other. Based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Robert Rimmer, this film d ...
'' (1973) as Philip Tenhausen
*''High Crime
''High Crime'' ( it, La polizia incrimina la legge assolve, es, La policía detiene, la ley juzga) is a 1973 Italian-Spanish ''poliziottesco'' film directed by Enzo G. Castellari. The film stars Franco Nero, James Whitmore, Delia Boccardo and ...
'' (1973) as Commissioner Aldo Scavino
*'' Where the Red Fern Grows'' (1974) (TV) as Grandpa
*''The Balloon Vendor
''The Balloon Vendor'' ( it, Il venditore di palloncini, also released as ''Last Moments'' and ''The Last Circus Show'') is a 1974 Italian drama film directed by Mario Gariazzo and starring James Whitmore.
Cast
* Renato Cestiè as Giacomino ...
'' (1974) as Antonio
*''I Will Fight No More Forever
''I Will Fight No More Forever'' is a 1975 made-for-television Western film starring James Whitmore as General Oliver O. Howard and Ned Romero as Chief Joseph. It is a dramatization of Chief Joseph's resistance to the U.S. government's forcibl ...
'' (1975) (TV) as General Oliver O. Howard
*''Give 'em Hell, Harry!
''Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' is a biographical play and 1975 film, written by playwright Samuel Gallu. Both the play and film are a one-man show about former President of the United States Harry S. Truman. ''Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' stars James Whi ...
'' (1975) as Harry S Truman
*'' The Serpent's Egg'' (1977) as The Priest
*'' The Word'' (TV) (1978) as George Wheeler
1980s
*''The First Deadly Sin
''The First Deadly Sin'' is a 1980 American crime thriller film produced by and starring Frank Sinatra. The film features Faye Dunaway, David Dukes, Brenda Vaccaro, James Whitmore, and Martin Gabel in his final role. The film is based on the ...
'' (1980) as Dr. Sanford Ferguson
*''Rage!'' (1980) as rBorski
*'' The White Shadow'' (1980) as Jake Reeves
*'' Hail Columbia!'' (1982) narrator
*'' The Adventures of Mark Twain'' (1985) as Mark Twain
Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has p ...
(voice)
*''Zoo Ship'' (1985) (voice)
*'' All My Sons'' (1987) (TV) as Joe Keller
*'' Nuts'' (1987) as Judge Stanley Murdoch
*''Glory! Glory!
''Glory! Glory!'' is a 1989 televangelism comedy film directed by Lindsay Anderson and starring Ellen Greene that originally aired on HBO in two parts.
Plot
A radio preacher's operation is controlled by his honest but bland son. When the preach ...
'' (1989) (TV) as Lester Babbitt
1990s
*''Sky High'' (1990) as Gus Johnson
*''Old Explorers
''Old Explorers'' is a 1990 American drama film directed by Bill Pohlad and adapted from a stage play of the same name by James Cada and Mark Keller. It stars José Ferrer and James Whitmore as two seniors who dream up fantastical adventures. Th ...
'' (1990) as Leinen Roth
*''The Shawshank Redemption
''The Shawshank Redemption'' is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella ''Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption''. It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), w ...
'' (1994) as Brooks Hatlen
*''The Relic
''The Relic'' is a 1997 American monster- horror film directed by Peter Hyams and based on the best-selling 1995 novel '' Relic'' by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The film stars Penelope Ann Miller, Tom Sizemore, Linda Hunt, and James W ...
'' (1997) as Dr. Albert Frock
*'' Swing Vote'' (1999) as Daniel Morissey
2000s
*''Here's to Life!'' (2000) as Gus Corley
*'' The Majestic'' (2001) as Stan Keller
*'' A Ring of Endless Light'' (2002) as Grandfather
*'' Fun with Dick and Jane'' (2005) as Toy Store Security Guard (uncredited)
*''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'', also referred to as ''CSI'' and ''CSI: Las Vegas'', is an American procedural forensics crime drama television series that ran on CBS from October 6, 2000, to September 27, 2015, spanning 15 seasons. This wa ...
'' (2007) (TV) as Milton (final appearance)
Stage
James Whitmore's theatre roles included:
* '' Command Decision'' – as Tech Sergeant Harold Evans – Fulton Theatre, New York, NY – (October 1, 1947 – September 18, 1948).
::Whitmore received a 1948 Tony Award for this role. The category was "Outstanding Performance by a Newcomer".
* ''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!
''Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' is a biographical play and 1975 film, written by playwright Samuel Gallu. Both the play and film are a one-man show about former President of the United States Harry S. Truman. ''Give 'em Hell, Harry!'' stars James Whi ...
'' – Solo Performance as Harry Truman – Ford's Theatre, Washington, DC – (April 15 – May 4, 1975).
::After the world premiere at the Ford's Theatre, the play went on to a six-city tour, during which it was videotaped for film at the Moore Theater, Seattle, Washington.
* ''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
* ''Family Theater
''Family Theater'' is a weekly half-hour dramatic anthology radio program which aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System in the United States from February 13, 1947, to September 11, 1957.
Production history
''Family Theater'' developed from a R ...
'' – episode "The Visitor" (1952)
Accolades
Whitmore has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...
at 6611 Hollywood Boulevard. The ceremony was held on February 8, 1960."James Whitmore"
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...
. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
See also
* List of people from California
This is a list of notable people from the U.S. state of California. It includes people who were born/raised in, lived in, or spent portions of their lives in California, or for whom California is a significant part of their identity. This list ...
* List of people from New York City
Many notable people were either born in New York City or adopted it as their home.
People from New York City
0-50
*50 Cent (Curtis Jackson, born 1975) – businessman and rapper
*6ix9ine (Daniel Hernandez, born 1996) – rapper ...
* List of Yale University people
Yalies are persons affiliated with Yale University, commonly including alumni, current and former faculty members, students, and others. Here follows a list of notable Yalies.
Alumni
For a list of notable alumni of Yale Law School, see List ...
Notes
References
External links
*
*
*
*
Actors Master Class: James Whitmore in How To Steal A Scene
* .
* Staff (undated; copyright 2009).
"James Whitmore Obituary"
Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is an American non-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. It produces news reports that are distributed to its members, U.S. newspa ...
(via the ''Los Angeles Times
The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...
'' module at Legacy.com
Legacy.com is a United States-based website founded in 1998, the world's largest commercial provider of online memorials. The Web site hosts obituaries and memorials for more than 70 percent of all U.S. deaths.Keagle, Lauri Harvey"Death in the D ...
). Retrieved October 14, 2012.
Steven Ameche: Remembering James Whitmore At The Market
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitmore, James
1921 births
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