Walter Brennan
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Walter Andrew Brennan (July 25, 1894 – September 21, 1974) was an American actor and singer. He won the
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given in honor of an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role while worki ...
for his performances in '' Come and Get It'' (1936), ''
Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...
'' (1938), and '' The Westerner'' (1940), making him one of only three male actors to win three Academy Awards, and the only male or female actor to win three awards in the supporting actor category. Brennan was also nominated for his performance in '' Sergeant York'' (1941). Other noteworthy performances were in ''
To Have and Have Not ''To Have and Have Not'' is a novel by Ernest Hemingway published in 1937 by Charles Scribner's Sons. The book follows Harry Morgan, a fishing boat captain out of Key West, Florida. ''To Have and Have Not'' was Hemingway's second novel set in th ...
'' (1944), '' My Darling Clementine'' (1946), '' Red River'' (1948), and '' Rio Bravo'' (1959).


Early life

Brennan was born in
Lynn, Massachusetts Lynn is the eighth-largest municipality in Massachusetts and the largest city in Essex County. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean, north of the Boston city line at Suffolk Downs, Lynn is part of Greater Boston's urban inner core. Settled by E ...
, less than two miles from his family's home in
Swampscott, Massachusetts Swampscott () is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, located up the coast from Boston in an area known as the North Shore. The population was 15,111 as of the 2020 United States Census. A former summer resort on Massachusetts Ba ...
.World War I Draft Records, Essex County, Massachusetts, Roll 1684678, Draft Board 24. His parents were both Irish immigrants. His father was an engineer and inventor, and young Brennan also studied engineering at
Rindge Technical High School The Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, also known as CRLS or "Rindge," is a public high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. It is a part of the Cambridge Public School District. In 1977, two separate schools, the Rindge Technical ...
in
Cambridge, Massachusetts Cambridge ( ) is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. As part of the Boston metropolitan area, the cities population of the 2020 U.S. census was 118,403, making it the fourth most populous city in the state, behind Boston, ...
. While working as a bank clerk, he enlisted in the
U.S. Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cl ...
and served as a private with the 101st Field Artillery Regiment in France during World War I. He served in France for two years. "While there, he suffered an injury to his vocal cords from exposure to mustard gas that left him with his screen trademark: a distinctively reedy, high-pitched voice that became a favorite for celebrity impersonators for decades." After the war, he worked as a financial reporter for a newspaper in Boston. During the early 1920s, he made a fortune in the
real estate Real estate is property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this (also) an item of real property, (more general ...
market, but lost most of his money during the 1925 real estate slump.


Career


Early work

Finding himself penniless, Brennan began taking parts as an extra in films at
Universal Studios Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...
in 1925, starting at $7.50 quivalent to $125.00 in 2022a day. He wound up working at Universal off and on for the next ten years. His early appearances included ''
Webs of Steel Web most often refers to: * Spider web, a silken structure created by the animal * World Wide Web or the Web, an Internet-based hypertext system Web, WEB, or the Web may also refer to: Computing * WEB, a literate programming system created by ...
'' (1925), ''
Lorraine of the Lions ''Lorraine of the Lions'' is a 1925 American adventure film directed by Edward Sedgwick and written by Isadore Bernstein and Carl Krusada. The film stars Norman Kerry, Patsy Ruth Miller, Fred Humes, Doreen Turner, Harry Todd, and Philo McCull ...
'' (1925), and ''
The Calgary Stampede ''The Calgary Stampede'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Herbert Blaché and starring Hoot Gibson. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. Plot As described in a film magazine, Dan Malloy (Gibson), an Ameri ...
'' (1925), a
Hoot Gibson Edmund Richard "Hoot" Gibson (August 6, 1892 – August 23, 1962) was an American rodeo champion, film actor, film director, and producer. While acting and stunt work began as a sideline to Gibson's focus on rodeo, he successfully transitione ...
Western. Brennan was also in ''
Watch Your Wife ''Watch Your Wife'' is a 1926 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Svend Gade and starring Virginia Valli, Pat O'Malley and Nat Carr.Langman p.264 Cast * Virginia Valli as Claudia Langham * Pat O'Malley as James Langham * Nat ...
'' (1926), ''
The Ice Flood ''The Ice Flood'' is a 1926 American silent northwoods drama film produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. It was directed by George Seitz and starred Kenneth Harlan and Viola Dana. A complete, though poor quality copy, exists and has bee ...
'' (1926), '' Spangles'' (1926), ''The Collegians'' (1926, a short), ''Flashing Oars'' (1926, a short), ''
Sensation Seekers ''Sensation Seekers'' is a 1927 American silent romantic drama film directed by Lois Weber, produced and distributed by Universal Pictures and starring Billie Dove Lillian Bohny (born Bertha Eugenie Bohny; May 14, 1903 – December 31, 1997) ...
'' (1927), ''
Tearin' Into Trouble ''Tearin' Into Trouble'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Olive Hasbrouck and Walter Brennan.Langman, p. 441 Cast * Hal Taliaferro as Wally Tilland * Olive Hasbrouck as Ruth Martin ...
'' (1927), ''
The Ridin' Rowdy ''The Ridin' Rowdy'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Olive Hasbrouck and Harry Todd.Parish p.81 Cast * Jay Wilsey as Bill Gibson * Olive Hasbrouck as Patricia Farris * Al Hart as Mo ...
'' (1927), ''
Alias the Deacon Alias the Deacon may refer to: * Alias the Deacon (1927 film), an American silent drama film * Alias the Deacon (1940 film), an American comedy film {{dab ...
'' (1927), '' Blake of Scotland Yard'' (1927) (a serial), ''
Hot Heels ''Hot Heels'' is a lost 1928 American silent comedy film directed by William James Craft and starring Glenn Tryon and Patsy Ruth Miller. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. A trailer for the film survives.''Catalog of Holdin ...
'' (1927), '' Painting the Town'' (1928), and ''
The Ballyhoo Buster ''The Ballyhoo Buster'' is a 1928 American silent Western film. Directed by Richard Thorpe, the film stars Jay Wilsey, Peggy Shaw, and Nancy Nash. It was released on January 8, 1928. Plot After selling cattle to two strangers, Bob Warner is ...
'' (1928). The latter was directed by
Richard Thorpe Richard Thorpe (born Rollo Smolt Thorpe; February 24, 1896 – May 1, 1991) was an American film director best known for his long career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Biography Born Rollo Smolt Thorpe in Hutchinson, Kansas, Richard Thorpe began his en ...
who would use Brennan as an extra several times on films. Brennan had minor roles in '' The Racket'' (1928) from
Howard Hughes Howard Robard Hughes Jr. (December 24, 1905 – April 5, 1976) was an American business magnate, record-setting pilot, engineer, film producer, and philanthropist, known during his lifetime as one of the most influential and richest people in th ...
, ''
The Michigan Kid ''The Michigan Kid'' is a 1947 American Cinecolor Western film directed by Ray Taylor and starring Jon Hall, Victor McLaglen, Rita Johnson, and Andy Devine. It was Hall's first film after getting out of the army and filming began 15 April 1 ...
'' (1928), '' Silks and Saddles'' (1929), '' The Cohens and the Kellys in Atlantic City'' (1929), and ''
Smilin' Guns Smilin' Guns is a 1929 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film, directed by Henry MacRae and starring Hoot Gibson. Plot Cowboy Jack "Dirty Neck" Purvin travels to San Francisco to learn how to become a refined gentleman to im ...
'' (1929) and ''
The Lariat Kid ''The Lariat Kid'' is a lost 1929 American silent Western film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring Hoot Gibson. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. Cast * Hoot Gibson as Tom Richards * Ann Christy as Mary Lou * Cap A ...
'' (1929) with Gibson. He also worked as a stand in. Brennan was in '' His Lucky Day'' (1929),
Frank Capra Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-born American film director, producer and writer who became the creative force behind some of the major award-winning films of the 1930s ...
's ''
Flight Flight or flying is the process by which an object moves through a space without contacting any planetary surface, either within an atmosphere (i.e. air flight or aviation) or through the vacuum of outer space (i.e. spaceflight). This can be a ...
'' (1929), ''
One Hysterical Night ''One Hysterical Night'' is a 1929 American pre-Code comedy film directed by William James Craft and starring Reginald Denny, Nora Lane, Walter Brennan and Peter Gawthorne. Plot summary A wealthy man dresses up as Napoleon for a fancy dress ...
'' (1929) (a bigger role), ''
The Last Performance ''The Last Performance'' is a 1929 American film directed by Paul Fejos and starring Conrad Veidt and Mary Philbin. The film was made in two version: a silent version and Movietone version complete with music, talking sequences, and sound effe ...
'' (1929), '' The Long Long Trail'' (1929) with Gibson and ''
The Shannons of Broadway ''The Shannons of Broadway'' is a 1929 American comedy film directed by Emmett J. Flynn and starring James Gleason, Lucile Gleason and Mary Philbin. It was based on James Gleason's 1927 play of the same title, which was later remade as ''Goodbye ...
'' (1929). Other Brennan appearances included '' Dames Ahoy!'' (1930), '' Captain of the Guard'' (1930), '' King of Jazz'' (1930) (Brennan said he played nine parts but when he saw the film "I sneezed and I missed myself"), ''
The Little Accident ''The Little Accident'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by William James Craft and written by Gladys Lehman and Gene Towne, based on the 1927 novel ''An Unmarried Father'' by Floyd Dell and the 1928 play ''Little Accident'' by ...
'' (1930), ''Parlez Vous'' (1930), (a short), ''
See America Thirst ''See America Thirst'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film produced and distributed by Universal Pictures and directed by William James Craft. Silent comics Harry Langdon and Slim Summerville star along with Bessie Love. Though released late ...
'' (1930) with
Harry Langdon Harry Philmore Langdon (June 15, 1884 – December 22, 1944) was an American comedian who appeared in vaudeville, silent films (where he had his greatest fame), and talkies.Obituary ''Variety'', December 27, 1944, page 39. Life and career Bor ...
and
Slim Summerville Slim Summerville (born George Joseph Somerville; July 10, 1892 – January 5, 1946), was an American film actor and director best known for his work in comedies. Early life Summerville was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where his mother d ...
and ''Ooh La-La'' (1930), (another short). The following year Brennan had more small roles in '' Hello Russia'' (1931, a short with
Slim Summerville Slim Summerville (born George Joseph Somerville; July 10, 1892 – January 5, 1946), was an American film actor and director best known for his work in comedies. Early life Summerville was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where his mother d ...
), '' Many a Slip'' (1931) with Summerville, ''
Heroes of the Flames ''Heroes of the Flames'' is a 1931 American Universal movie serial. Although once considered to be lost, it has survived and a print has been preserved by Universal as of 2016. It stars Tim McCoy (in a break from his usual cowboy roles) as a fir ...
'' (1931) a serial with
Tim McCoy Timothy John Fitzgerald McCoy (April 10, 1891 – January 29, 1978) was an American actor, military officer, and expert on American Indian life. McCoy is most noted for his roles in B-grade Western films. As a popular cowboy film star, he ap ...
, '' Honeymoon Lane'' (1931), ''
Dancing Dynamite ''Dancing Dynamite'' is a 1931 American pre-Code crime drama film directed by Noel M. Smith. It premiered in New York on 18 August 1931, and was distributed by State Rights and Mercury Pictures. ''Dancing Dynamite'' was filmed on location at S ...
'' (1931), ''
Grief Street ''Grief Street'' is a 1931 American pre-Code mystery crime film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Barbara Kent and John Holland. It was produced and distributed by the Chesterfield Motion Pictures Corporation. Plot A womanizing matin ...
'' (1931) directed by
Richard Thorpe Richard Thorpe (born Rollo Smolt Thorpe; February 24, 1896 – May 1, 1991) was an American film director best known for his long career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Biography Born Rollo Smolt Thorpe in Hutchinson, Kansas, Richard Thorpe began his en ...
, and ''
Is There Justice? ''Is There Justice?'' is a 1931 American pre-Code crime film directed by Stuart Paton and starring Rex Lease, Henry B. Walthall and Blanche Mehaffey.Langman & Finn p.125 It is now considered a lost film. Synopsis The brother of woman who died i ...
'' (1931). Brennan had a bigger role in '' Neck and Neck'' (1931), directed by
Richard Thorpe Richard Thorpe (born Rollo Smolt Thorpe; February 24, 1896 – May 1, 1991) was an American film director best known for his long career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Biography Born Rollo Smolt Thorpe in Hutchinson, Kansas, Richard Thorpe began his en ...
. His parts tended to remain small, however: '' A House Divided'' (1931) for director
William Wyler William Wyler (; born Willi Wyler (); July 1, 1902 – July 27, 1981) was a Swiss-German-American film director and producer who won the Academy Award for Best Director three times, those being for ''Mrs. Miniver'' (1942), ''The Best Years of O ...
, '' Scratch-As-Catch-Can'' (1931, a Bobby Clark short directed by
Mark Sandrich Mark Sandrich (born Mark Rex Goldstein; October 26, 1900 – March 4, 1945) was an American film director, writer, and producer. Early life Sandrich was born in New York City on October 26, 1900 into a American Jews, Jewish family. His siste ...
), and ''
Texas Cyclone Texas Cyclone was a wooden roller coaster at the defunct Six Flags AstroWorld in Houston, Texas. Designed by Don Rosser and William Cobb, it was manufactured by Frontier Construction Company and opened to the public on June 12, 1976. Well-kno ...
'' (1931, a
Tim McCoy Timothy John Fitzgerald McCoy (April 10, 1891 – January 29, 1978) was an American actor, military officer, and expert on American Indian life. McCoy is most noted for his roles in B-grade Western films. As a popular cowboy film star, he ap ...
Western featuring a young
John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Gol ...
). In 1932 Brennan was in ''
Law and Order In modern politics, law and order is the approach focusing on harsher enforcement and penalties as ways to reduce crime. Penalties for perpetrators of disorder may include longer terms of imprisonment, mandatory sentencing, three-strikes laws a ...
'' (1932) with , ''
The Impatient Maiden ''The Impatient Maiden'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by James Whale, starring Lew Ayres and Mae Clarke, and released by Universal Pictures. The screenplay was written by Richard Schayer and Winifred Dunn, based on the novel ...
'' (1932) for
James Whale James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who spent the greater part of his career in Cinema of the United States, Hollywood. He is best remembered for several horror films: ''Fran ...
, '' The Airmail Mystery'' (1932, a serial), and ''
Scandal for Sale ''Scandal for Sale'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Russell Mack and starring Charles Bickford, Rose Hobart and Pat O'Brien.Schindler p.25 The film's sets were designed by the art director Charles D. Hall. Cast * Charles B ...
'' (1932). He did another with John Wayne, '' Two-Fisted Law'' (1932) though the star was
Tim McCoy Timothy John Fitzgerald McCoy (April 10, 1891 – January 29, 1978) was an American actor, military officer, and expert on American Indian life. McCoy is most noted for his roles in B-grade Western films. As a popular cowboy film star, he ap ...
. Brennan was in '' Hello Trouble'' (1932) with
Buck Jones Buck Jones (born Charles Frederick Gebhart; December 12, 1891 – November 30, 1942) was an American actor, known for his work in many popular Western movies. In his early film appearances, he was credited as Charles Jones. Early life, milita ...
, '' Speed Madness'' (1932), ''
Miss Pinkerton ''Miss Pinkerton'' is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy mystery film about a nurse who becomes involved in a murder investigation. It stars Joan Blondell, George Brent and Ruth Hall. Cast * Joan Blondell as Nurse Adams aka "Miss Pinkerton" * G ...
'' (1932) with Joan Bennett, '' Cornered'' (1932) with McCoy, ''The Iceman's Ball'' (1932, another short for Sandrich), ''
Fighting for Justice ''Fighting for Justice'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code Western film, directed by Otto Brower. It stars Tim McCoy and Joyce Compton. The Library of Congress has a copy of this feature.''Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection a ...
'' (1932) with McCoy, '' The Fourth Horseman'' (1932) with
Tom Mix Thomas Edwin Mix (born Thomas Hezikiah Mix; January 6, 1880 – October 12, 1940) was an American film actor and the star of many early Western films between 1909 and 1935. He appeared in 291 films, all but nine of which were silent films. He w ...
, '' The All American'' (1932), '' Once in a Lifetime'' (1932), '' Strange Justice'' (1932), ''
Women Won't Tell ''Women Won't Tell'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Sarah Padden, Otis Harlan and Gloria Shea. It was written by Lela E. Rogers, mother of Ginger Rogers.Pitts p. 91 Main cast * Sarah Padden ...
'' (1932) for Richard Thorpe, ''
Afraid to Talk ''Afraid to Talk'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Edward L. Cahn and written by Tom Reed. The film stars Eric Linden, Sidney Fox, Tully Marshall, Louis Calhern, George Meeker and Robert Warwick. Release The film was relea ...
'' (1932) and '' Manhattan Tower'' (1932). Brennan was in '' Sensation Hunters'' (1933) for
Charles Vidor Charles Vidor (born Károly Vidor; July 27, 1900June 4, 1959) was a Hungarian film director. Among his film successes are ''The Bridge'' (1929), ''The Tuttles of Tahiti'' (1942), ''The Desperadoes'' (1943), ''Cover Girl'' (1944), '' Together A ...
, '' Man of Action'' (1933) with McCoy, ''
Parachute Jumper ''Parachute Jumper'' is a 1933 American pre-Code black-and-white comedy drama film directed by Alfred E. Green. Based on a story by Rian James titled "Some Call It Love", it stars Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Bette Davis and Frank McHugh. Plot Mar ...
'' (1933), ''
Goldie Gets Along ''Goldie Gets Along'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair and starring Lili Damita, Charles Morton and Sam Hardy. The screenplay was written by William A. Drake, based on the 1931 novel of the same title by H ...
'' (1933), ''
Girl Missing ''Girl Missing'' is a 1933 American pre-Code mystery film starring Glenda Farrell, Ben Lyon and Mary Brian. It was directed by Robert Florey and released by Warner Bros. on March 4, 1933. Two women stranded in Palm Beach become involved in ...
'' (1933), '' Rustlers' Roundup'' (1933) with Mix, ''
The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble ''The Cohens and Kellys in Trouble'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film starring Charlie Murray, Andy Devine, and Maureen O'Sullivan. It is the last film in the ''Cohens and Kellys'' series and the first director credit for George Steven ...
'' (1933) for director
George Stevens George Cooper Stevens (December 18, 1904 – March 8, 1975) was an American film director, film producer, producer, screenwriter and cinematographer.Obituary ''Variety Obituaries, Variety'', March 12, 1975, page 79. Films he produced were nomi ...
, ''
Lucky Dog The ''beneficiary rule'', commonly referred to as the "lucky dog" or "free pass", is a rule in some motor racing leagues allowing the closest lapped driver to the front of the field to gain back a lap when a caution is called. The driver is call ...
'' (1933), and ''
The Big Cage ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...
'' (1933). His scenes in
William Wellman William Augustus Wellman (February 29, 1896 – December 9, 1975) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and military pilot. He was known for his work in crime, adventure, and action genre films, often focusing on avi ...
's ''
Lilly Turner ''Lilly Turner'' is a 1933 American pre-Code melodrama directed by William A. Wellman and starring Ruth Chatterton. It was based on the 1932 play of the same name by Phillip Dunning and George Abbott. Plot A woman who marries a bigamist, then ...
'' (1933) were deleted. Brennan did another serial, ''
The Phantom of the Air ''The Phantom of the Air'' is a 12-episode 1933 Pre-Code Universal film serial directed by Ray Taylor. The film stars Tom Tyler, who was cast most often in Westerns. Other actors include Gloria Shea, LeRoy Mason, Craig Reynolds and William Desm ...
'' (1933), then '' Strange People'' (1933) for Thorpe, ''Meet the Champ'' (1933, a short), ''
Sing Sinner Sing ''Sing Sinner Sing'' is a 1933 American pre-Code romantic drama film directed by Howard Christie. Plot summary Leila Hyams plays a singer who is accused of her husband's murder. Production notes At the time the movie was released, it was reco ...
'' (1933), ''
One Year Later "One Year Later" is a 2006 comic book storyline running through books published by DC Comics. It involves a narrative jump exactly one year into the future of the DC Universe following the events of the ''Infinite Crisis'' storyline, to explore ...
'' (1933), ''Sailors Beware!'' (1933, a short), '' Golden Harvest'' (1933), ''
Ladies Must Love ''Ladies Must Love'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film directed by E. A. Dupont and written by John Francis Larkin. The film stars June Knight, Neil Hamilton, Sally O'Neil, Dorothy Burgess, Mary Carlisle and George E. Stone. The fil ...
'' (1933), ''
Saturday's Millions ''Saturday's Millions'' is a 1933 American pre-Code sports drama film directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Robert Young, Andy Devine, Leila Hyams and Johnny Mack Brown. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film is an a ...
'' (1933), ''
Curtain at Eight ''Curtain at Eight'' is a 1933 American pre-Code mystery film directed by E. Mason Hopper and starring C. Aubrey Smith, Dorothy Mackaill and Paul Cavanagh.Pitts p.224 Plot summary Wylie Thornton is the star of "Isle of Romance" at the Edwin Bo ...
'' (1933), and '' My Woman'' (1933).
James Whale James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who spent the greater part of his career in Cinema of the United States, Hollywood. He is best remembered for several horror films: ''Fran ...
gave him a bit part in ''
The Invisible Man ''The Invisible Man'' is a science fiction novel by H. G. Wells. Originally serialized in '' Pearson's Weekly'' in 1897, it was published as a novel the same year. The Invisible Man to whom the title refers is Griffin, a scientist who has devo ...
'' (1933), and he could be seen in '' King for a Night'' (1933), ''
Fugitive Lovers ''Fugitive Lovers'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy drama film directed by Richard Boleslavsky. Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it stars Madge Evans and Robert Montgomery with a supporting cast of Nat Pendleton, C. Henry Gordon, Ruth Selwy ...
'' (1933), '' Cross Country Cruise'' (1934), ''
Beloved Beloved may refer to: Books * ''Beloved'' (novel), a 1987 novel by Toni Morrison * ''The Beloved'' (Faulkner novel), a 2012 novel by Australian author Annah Faulkner *''Beloved'', a 1993 historical romance about Zenobia, by Bertrice Small Film ...
'' (1934), ''
You Can't Buy Everything ''You Can't Buy Everything'' is a 1934 American pre-Code romantic drama film directed by Charles Reisner and Sandy Roth and starring May Robson, Jean Parker and Lewis Stone. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Working titles of the film were ...
'' (1934), '' Paradise Valley'' (1934), ''Radio Dough'' (1934, a short), ''
The Poor Rich ''The Poor Rich'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Edward Sedgwick and written by Ebba Havez and Dale Van Every. The film stars Edward Everett Horton, Edna May Oliver, Andy Devine, Leila Hyams, Grant Mitchell and Thelma Todd. ...
'' (1934), ''
The Crosby Murder Case ''The Crosby Case'' is a 1934 American pre-Code crime film directed by Edwin L. Marin and written by Warren B. Duff and Gordon Kahn. The film stars Wynne Gibson, Onslow Stevens, Richard "Skeets" Gallagher, Alan Dinehart, Warren Hymer, Willi ...
'' (1934), ''
George White's Scandals ''George White's Scandals'' were a long-running string of Broadway revues produced by George White that ran from 1919–1939, modeled after the ''Ziegfeld Follies''. The "Scandals" launched the careers of many entertainers, including W. C. Fie ...
'' (1934), '' Good Girl'' (1934), ''
Riptide A rip tide, or riptide, is a strong offshore current that is caused by the tide pulling water through an inlet along a barrier beach, at a lagoon or inland marina where tide water flows steadily out to sea during ebb tide. It is a strong tidal fl ...
'' (1934), ''
Uncertain Lady ''Uncertain Lady'' is a 1934 American comedy film directed by Karl Freund, written by Daniel Evans, Doris Anderson, Edward A. Curtiss, George O'Neil and Don Ryan, and starring Edward Everett Horton, Genevieve Tobin, Paul Cavanagh, Mary Nash, ...
'' (1934), '' I'll Tell the World'' (1934), and ''Fishing for Trouble'' (1934, a short). Brennan was in the Three Stooges short ''
Woman Haters ''Woman Haters'' is a 1934 musical short subject directed by Archie Gottler starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine, and Jerry Howard). It is the inaugural entry in the series released by Columbia ...
'' (1934), then did '' Half a Sinner'' (1934), ''
The Life of Vergie Winters ''The Life of Vergie Winters'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code film, starring Ann Harding and John Boles. Plot From her Parkville jail cell, Vergie Winters watches the funeral procession of Senator John Shadwell and remembers her twenty-year past ...
'' (1934), '' Murder on the Runaway Train'' (1934), '' Whom the Gods Destroy'' (1934), ''Gentlemen of Polish'' (1934, a short), ''
Death on the Diamond ''Death on the Diamond'' is a 1934 comedy-mystery film starring Robert Young. It was based on the novel ''Death on the Diamond: A Baseball Mystery Story'' by Cortland Fitzsimmons, directed by Edward Sedgwick and produced and released by Metro-G ...
'' (1934), ''
Great Expectations ''Great Expectations'' is the thirteenth novel by Charles Dickens and his penultimate completed novel. It depicts the education of an orphan nicknamed Pip (Great Expectations), Pip (the book is a ''bildungsroman''; a coming-of-age story). It ...
'' (1934), '' Luck of the Game'' (1934), ''
Tailspin Tommy ''Tailspin Tommy'' was an air adventure comic strip about a youthful pilot, "Tailspin" Tommy Tomkins (sometimes spelled Tompkins). Originally illustrated by Hal Forrest and initially distributed by John Neville Wheeler's Bell Syndicate and the ...
'' (1934, a serial), '' There's Always Tomorrow'' (1934), and '' Cheating Cheaters'' (1934). Brennan was back with McCoy for ''
The Prescott Kid ''The Prescott Kid'' is a 1934 American Western film directed by David Selman, from an original screenplay by Ford Beebe, which stars Tim McCoy, Sheila Mannors, and Joseph Sauers. The picture was released on November, 1934. The screenplay was ...
'' (1934) and could be seen in '' The Painted Veil'' (1934), ''
Biography of a Bachelor Girl ''Biography of a Bachelor Girl'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Edward H. Griffith and written by Horace Jackson and Anita Loos. It is based upon the play, "Biography," by S. N. Behrman. The film stars Ann Harding, Robert Montgomery ...
'' (1935), '' Helldorado'' (1935), ''Brick-a-Brac'' (1935) an
Edgar Kennedy Edgar Livingston Kennedy (April 26, 1890 – November 9, 1948) was an American comedic character actor who appeared in at least 500 films during the silent and sound eras. Professionally, he was known as "Slow Burn", owing to his ability to por ...
short, ''
Northern Frontier ''Northern Frontier'' is a 1935 American adventure film directed by Sam Newfield and written by Barry Barringer. The film stars Kermit Maynard, Eleanor Hunt, Russell Hopton, J. Farrell MacDonald, LeRoy Mason, Gertrude Astor, Ben Hendricks Jr. a ...
'' (1935), ''
The Mystery of Edwin Drood ''The Mystery of Edwin Drood'' is the final novel by Charles Dickens, originally published in 1870. Though the novel is named after the character Edwin Drood, it focuses more on Drood's uncle, John Jasper, a precentor, choirmaster and opium ...
'' (1935), and ''
Law Beyond the Range ''Law Beyond the Range'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Ford Beebe and written by Lambert Hillyer. The film stars Tim McCoy, Billie Seward, Robert Allen, Guy Usher, Harry Todd and Walter Brennan. The film was released on Feb ...
'' (1935) with McCoy. He also had a brief uncredited role in ''
Bride of Frankenstein ''Bride of Frankenstein'' is a 1935 American science fiction horror film, and the first sequel to Universal Pictures' 1931 film ''Frankenstein''. As with the first film, ''Bride of Frankenstein'' was directed by James Whale starring Boris Karlo ...
'' (1935) starring
Boris Karloff William Henry Pratt (23 November 1887 – 2 February 1969), better known by his stage name Boris Karloff (), was an English actor. His portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in the horror film ''Frankenstein'' (1931) (his 82nd film) established h ...
as
Frankenstein's monster Frankenstein's monster or Frankenstein's creature, often referred to as simply "Frankenstein", is a fictional character who first appeared in Mary Shelley's 1818 novel ''Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus''. Shelley's title thus compares ...
. Around this time Brennan had what he later described as "the luckiest break in the world". He was taking part in a fight scene when an actor kicked him in the face and all his teeth were knocked out. He had to put in false teeth. "I looked all right off the set", he said. "But when necessary I could take 'em outand suddenly look about 40 years older." Brennan did another Three Stooges short, ''
Restless Knights ''Restless Knights'' is a 1935 short subject directed by Charles Lamont starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Jerry Howard). It is the sixth entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starri ...
'', and a short called ''Hunger Pains'' in (1935).


Work at MGM

An early break for Brennan came when he was cast in ''
The Wedding Night ''The Wedding Night'' is a 1935 American romantic drama film directed by King Vidor and starring Gary Cooper and Anna Sten. Written by Edith Fitzgerald and based on a story by Edwin H. Knopf, the film is about a financially strapped novelist who ...
'' (1935), produced by
Sam Goldwyn Samuel Goldwyn (born Szmuel Gelbfisz; yi, שמואל געלבפֿיש; August 27, 1882 (claimed) January 31, 1974), also known as Samuel Goldfish, was a Polish-born American film producer. He was best known for being the founding contributor a ...
, alongside
Gary Cooper Gary Cooper (born Frank James Cooper; May 7, 1901May 13, 1961) was an American actor known for his strong, quiet screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, a ...
(it was actually their second film together). He was only an extra, but his part was expanded during filming and it resulted in Brennan's getting a contract with Goldwyn. Goldwyn mostly loaned out Brennan's services to other studios. MGM put him in '' West Point of the Air'' (1935). He was reunited with Whale in ''
Bride of Frankenstein ''Bride of Frankenstein'' is a 1935 American science fiction horror film, and the first sequel to Universal Pictures' 1931 film ''Frankenstein''. As with the first film, ''Bride of Frankenstein'' was directed by James Whale starring Boris Karlo ...
'' (1935), in which he had a brief speaking part and also worked as a stuntman. Brennan's parts remained small in ''
Party Wire A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will often feature ...
'' (1935), '' Spring Tonic'' (1935), '' The Gay Lady'' (1935), ''
Man on the Flying Trapeze ''Man on the Flying Trapeze'' (UK title: ''The Memory Expert'') is a 1935 comedy film starring W. C. Fields as a henpecked husband who experiences a series of misadventures while taking a day off from work to attend a wrestling match. As with his ...
'' (1935), and '' Welcome Home'' (1935). He did a short, ''The Perfect Tribute'' (1935) and was in George Stevens' '' Alice Adams'' (1935), but his scenes were deleted. He could be seen in '' We're in the Money'' (1935) and ''
She Couldn't Take It ''She Couldn't Take It'' is a 1935 screwball comedy film made at Columbia Pictures, directed by Tay Garnett, written by C. Graham Baker, Gene Towne and Oliver H.P. Garrett, and starring George Raft and Joan Bennett. It was one of the few comedi ...
'' (1935).


Move to Supporting Actor

Brennan finally moved up to significant roles with a decent part in Goldwyn's '' Barbary Coast'' (1935), directed by
Howard Hawks Howard Winchester Hawks (May 30, 1896December 26, 1977) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era. Critic Leonard Maltin called him "the greatest American director who is not a household name." A v ...
and an uncredited William Wyler. "That really set me up", he said later. He followed it with small appearances in '' Metropolitan'' (1935) and '' Seven Keys to Baldpate'' (1935). He had one of the leads in '' Three Godfathers'' (1936) playing one of the title outlaws. He had a small role in ''
These Three ''These Three'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Miriam Hopkins, Merle Oberon, Joel McCrea, and Bonita Granville. The screenplay by Lillian Hellman is based on her 1934 play '' The Children's Hour''. A 1961 re ...
'' (1936) with Wyler and a bigger one in
Walter Wanger Walter Wanger (born Walter Feuchtwanger; July 11, 1894 – November 18, 1968) was an American film producer active from the 1910s, his career concluding with the turbulent production of '' Cleopatra,'' his last film, in 1963. He began at Para ...
's ''
The Moon's Our Home ''The Moon's Our Home'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by William A. Seiter. It was adapted from a novel of the same name written by Faith Baldwin and first published in serial form in ''Cosmopolitan'' magazine. Plot summary A comedy a ...
'' (1936) and '' Fury'' (1936), directed by
Fritz Lang Friedrich Christian Anton Lang (; December 5, 1890 – August 2, 1976), known as Fritz Lang, was an Austrian film director, screenwriter, and producer who worked in Germany and later the United States.Obituary ''Variety'', August 4, 1976, p. 6 ...
.


First Oscar: ''Come and Get It'' (1936)

Brennan's breakthrough part came when cast by
Howard Hawks Howard Winchester Hawks (May 30, 1896December 26, 1977) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era. Critic Leonard Maltin called him "the greatest American director who is not a household name." A v ...
as Swan Bostrom in the period film '' Come and Get It'' (1936), playing the sidekick of Edward Arnold who eventually marries the girl Arnold abandons (played by Frances Farmer). Producer
Sam Goldwyn Samuel Goldwyn (born Szmuel Gelbfisz; yi, שמואל געלבפֿיש; August 27, 1882 (claimed) January 31, 1974), also known as Samuel Goldfish, was a Polish-born American film producer. He was best known for being the founding contributor a ...
fired Hawks during filming and replaced him with William Wyler. Brennan's performance earned him the first
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is an award presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given in honor of an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role while worki ...
. Brennan followed it with support parts in '' Banjo on My Knee'' (1936) at Fox, '' She's Dangerous'' (1937), and ''
When Love is Young ''When Love Is Young'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Hal Mohr and starring Virginia Bruce, Kent Taylor, Walter Brennan, Greta Meyer, Christian Rub and William Tannen. Written by Joseph Fields and Eve Greene, it is based on the 1935 s ...
'' (1937). Goldwyn announced him for a role in '' The Real Glory'' in 1936, but he ended up not appearing in the final film. Brennan had his first lead role in ''
Affairs of Cappy Ricks ''Affairs of Cappy Ricks'' is a 1937 American comedy-drama film directed by Ralph Staub and starring Walter Brennan, Mary Brian, Lyle Talbot, Frank Shields, and Frank Melton. The plot is about a captain who returns home from a long voyage and ...
'' (1937) at
Republic Pictures Republic Pictures Corporation (currently held under Melange Pictures, LLC) was an American motion picture production-distribution corporation in operation from 1935 to 1967, that was based in Los Angeles. It had studio facilities in Studio City an ...
. He followed it with the co-starring part in Fox's '' Wild and Woolly'' (1937), billed second after
Jane Withers Jane Withers (April 12, 1926 – August 7, 2021) was an American actress and children's radio show host. She became one of the most popular child stars in Hollywood in the 1930s and early 1940s, with her films ranking in the top ten list for ...
. He was in '' The Buccaneer'' (1938), directed by
Cecil B. DeMille Cecil Blount DeMille (; August 12, 1881January 21, 1959) was an American film director, producer and actor. Between 1914 and 1958, he made 70 features, both silent and sound films. He is acknowledged as a founding father of the American cine ...
. Brennan portrayed town drunk and accused murderer Muff Potter in ''
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' is an 1876 novel by Mark Twain about a boy growing up along the Mississippi River. It is set in the 1840s in the town of St. Petersburg, which is based on Hannibal, Missouri, where Twain lived as a boy. In the nov ...
'' (1938). Brennan followed it with ''
The Texans ''The Texans'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by James P. Hogan and starring Joan Bennett and Randolph Scott. The screenplay was written by Bertram Millhauser, Paul Sloane and William Wister Haines and is based on the novel ''North ...
'' (1938), '' Mother Carey's Chickens'' (1938), and Goldwyn's '' The Cowboy and the Lady'' (1938) with
Gary Cooper Gary Cooper (born Frank James Cooper; May 7, 1901May 13, 1961) was an American actor known for his strong, quiet screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, a ...
– the first time Brennan played Cooper's sidekick.


Second Oscar: ''Kentucky'' (1938)

Brennan won his second Best Supporting Oscar for ''
Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...
'' (1938), a horse racing film from
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...
with
Loretta Young Loretta Young (born Gretchen Young; January 6, 1913 – August 12, 2000) was an American actress. Starting as a child, she had a long and varied career in film from 1917 to 1953. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the fil ...
. He supported
Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. He is often called the greatest dancer in Hollywood film history. Astaire's career in stage, film, and tele ...
and
Ginger Rogers Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath; July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer and singer during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starri ...
in ''
The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle ''The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle'' is a 1939 American biographical musical comedy directed by H.C. Potter. The film stars Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edna May Oliver, and Walter Brennan. The film is based on the stories ''My Husband'' and ...
'' (1939). Brennan also appeared in ''
Melody of Youth ''Melody of Youth'' () is a Chinese drama starring Leo Ku, Yang Yang, Jiang Mengjie, Kim Hee Chul of Super Junior and Zhou Mi of Super Junior-M. It was produced by Li Yu () and directed by Sang Hua (). Synopsis On the verge of graduation ...
'' (1939), and '' Stanley and Livingstone'' (1939) at Fox. At MGM he was in ''
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President ''Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Robert B. Sinclair and written by Melville Baker. The film stars Ann Sothern, Lewis Stone, Walter Brennan, William Gargan, Marsha Hunt and Tom Neal. It was ...
'' (1939). Throughout his career, Brennan was frequently called upon to play characters considerably older than he was. The loss of many teeth in the 1932 accident, rapidly thinning hair, thin build, and unusual vocal intonations all made him seem older than he was. He used these features to great effect. In many of his film roles, Brennan wore dentures; in MGM's ''
Northwest Passage The Northwest Passage (NWP) is the sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America via waterways through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The eastern route along the Arc ...
'' (1940) – a film set in the late 18th century – he wore a dental prosthesis which made him appear to have rotting and broken teeth. Brennan was billed third in ''Northwest Passage'' after
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 ...
and Robert Young. Zanuck at Fox announced he wanted to make ''The Man from Home'', once a vehicle for
Will Rogers William Penn Adair Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American vaudeville performer, actor, and humorous social commentator. He was born as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, in the Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma ...
, with Brennan. Instead Brennan was top-billed in Fox's ''
Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...
'' (1940), an attempt to repeat the success of ''Kentucky''. Brennan said he had been working constantly since Christmas 1937. "I'm just plain punch drunk", he said.


Third Oscar: ''The Westerner'' (1940)

Brennan had one of his best ever roles in Goldwyn's '' The Westerner'' (1940), playing the villainous
Judge Roy Bean Phantly Roy Bean Jr. (c. 1825 – March 16, 1903) was an American saloon-keeper and Justice of the Peace in Val Verde County, Texas, who called himself "The Only Law West of the Pecos". According to legend, he held court in his saloon along the ...
opposite Gary Cooper. William Wyler directed and the film earned Brennan another Best Supporting Actor Oscar. Goldwyn bought ''Trading Post'' to be a vehicle for Brennan but it was never made. Instead he supported
Deanna Durbin Edna Mae Durbin (December 4, 1921 – April 17, 2013), known professionally as Deanna Durbin, was a Canadian-born actress and singer, who moved to the USA with her family in infancy. She appeared in musical films in the 1930s and 1940s. With t ...
in ''
Nice Girl? ''Nice Girl?'' is a 1941 American musical film directed by William A. Seiter, and starring Deanna Durbin, Franchot Tone, Walter Brennan, Robert Stack, and Robert Benchley. Based on the play ''Nice Girl?'' by Phyllis Duganne, the film is about a y ...
'' (1941), then Cooper again in
Frank Capra Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-born American film director, producer and writer who became the creative force behind some of the major award-winning films of the 1930s ...
's ''
Meet John Doe ''Meet John Doe'' is a 1941 American comedy-drama film directed and produced by Frank Capra, written by Robert Riskin, and starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. The film is about a "grassroots" political campaign created unwittingly by ...
'' (1941) and Hawks' '' Sergeant York'' (1941). ''Sergeant York'', which earned Brennan a fourth Oscar nomination, was an enormous hit. He could also be seen in '' This Woman is Mine'' (1941), as a sea captain. Brennan played the top-billed lead in '' Swamp Water'' (1941), the first American film by the director
Jean Renoir Jean Renoir (; 15 September 1894 – 12 February 1979) was a French film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and author. As a film director and actor, he made more than forty films from the silent film, silent era to the end of the 1960s. ...
, a drama also featuring and starring
Dana Andrews Carver Dana Andrews (January 1, 1909 – December 17, 1992) was an American film actor who became a major star in what is now known as film noir. A leading man during the 1940s, he continued acting in less prestigious roles and character parts ...
. He was in '' Rise and Shine'' (1941) then played the reporter Sam Blake, who befriended and encouraged
Lou Gehrig Henry Louis Gehrig (born Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941) was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was renowned f ...
(played by Cooper) in ''
Pride of the Yankees ''The Pride of the Yankees'' is a 1942 American film produced by Samuel Goldwyn, directed by Sam Wood, and starring Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, and Walter Brennan. It is a tribute to the legendary New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig, who die ...
'' (1942). Brennan was in some war films, ''
Stand By for Action ''Stand By for Action'' (British title: ''Cargo of Innocents'') is a 1942 American black-and-white U.S. Navy war film from MGM, directed by Robert Z. Leonard, and starring Robert Taylor (American actor), Robert Taylor, Brian Donlevy, Charles Laug ...
'' (1942) and ''
Hangmen Also Die! ''Hangmen Also Die!'' is a 1943 noir war film directed by the Austrian director Fritz Lang and written by John Wexley from a story by Bertolt Brecht (credited as Bert Brecht) and Lang. The film stars Hans Heinrich von Twardowski, Brian Donlevy, W ...
'' (1943), in which he played a Czechoslovak professor. He was in ''
Slightly Dangerous ''Slightly Dangerous'' is a 1943 American romantic comedy film starring Lana Turner and Robert Young. The screenplay concerns a bored young woman in a dead-end job who runs away to New York City and ends up impersonating the long-lost daughter of ...
'' (1943), ''The Last Will and Testament of Tom Smith'' (1943, a short), and Goldwyn's Russia-set war epic '' The North Star'' (1943). He was top billed in a follow up to ''Kentucky'' and ''Maryland'' at Fox, '' Home in Indiana'' (1944). Brennan was particularly skilled in playing the sidekick of the protagonist or the "grumpy old man" in films such as ''
To Have and Have Not ''To Have and Have Not'' is a novel by Ernest Hemingway published in 1937 by Charles Scribner's Sons. The book follows Harry Morgan, a fishing boat captain out of Key West, Florida. ''To Have and Have Not'' was Hemingway's second novel set in th ...
'' (1944), the Hawks-directed
Humphrey Bogart Humphrey DeForest Bogart (; December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957), nicknamed Bogie, was an American film and stage actor. His performances in Classical Hollywood cinema films made him an American cultural icon. In 1999, the American Film In ...
film which introduced Lauren Bacall. Brennan was a comic pirate in the
Bob Hope Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003) was a British-American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer and dancer. With a career that spanned nearly 80 years, Hope appeared in more than 70 short and feature films, with 5 ...
film ''
The Princess and the Pirate ''The Princess and the Pirate'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by David Butler and starring Bob Hope and Virginia Mayo. Based on a story by Sy Bartlett, the film is about a princess who travels incognito to elope with her true love inst ...
'' (1944). He was teamed with John Wayne for the first time since both men obtained stardom in ''
Dakota Dakota may refer to: * Dakota people, a sub-tribe of the Sioux ** Dakota language, their language Dakota may also refer to: Places United States * Dakota, Georgia, an unincorporated community * Dakota, Illinois, a town * Dakota, Minnesota, ...
'' (1945), directed by
Joseph Kane Jasper Joseph Inman Kane (March 19, 1894, San Diego – August 25, 1975, Santa Monica, California) was an American film director, film producer, film editor and screenwriter. He is best known for his extensive directorship and focus on Western fi ...
. He supported
Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress with a career spanning more than 50 years and 100 acting credits. She was noted for playing unsympathetic, sardonic characters, and was famous for her pe ...
in '' A Stolen Life'' (1946) and was in a musical at Fox, ''
Centennial Summer ''Centennial Summer'' is a 1946 musical film directed by Otto Preminger. Starring Jeanne Crain and Cornel Wilde, the film is based on a novel by Albert E. Idell. It was produced in response to the hugely successful 1944 MGM musical film ''Meet ...
'' (1946), where he played a family paterfamilias.


Westerns roles

Brennan returned to villainy as Old Man Clanton in '' My Darling Clementine'' (1946), opposite
Henry Fonda Henry Jaynes Fonda (May 16, 1905 – August 12, 1982) was an American actor. He had a career that spanned five decades on Broadway and in Hollywood. He cultivated an everyman screen image in several films considered to be classics. Born and rai ...
for director
John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...
. Brennan followed this with parts in '' Nobody Lives Forever'' (1946) at Warners, and a girl-and-dog story at Republic, ''
Driftwood __NOTOC__ Driftwood is wood that has been washed onto a shore or beach of a sea, lake, or river by the action of winds, tides or waves. In some waterfront areas, driftwood is a major nuisance. However, the driftwood provides shelter and fo ...
'' (1947). He did another Americana film at Fox, ''
Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! ''Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!'' is a 1948 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by F. Hugh Herbert, based on the novel of the same name by George Agnew Chamberlain. Released by 20th Century Fox, the film stars June Haver, Lon McC ...
'' (1948), then was in one of the best films in his career, '' Red River'' (1948), playing John Wayne's sidekick for Howard Hawks. After supporting
Robert Mitchum Robert Charles Durman Mitchum (August 6, 1917 – July 1, 1997) was an American actor. He rose to prominence with an Academy Award nomination for the Best Supporting Actor for ''The Story of G.I. Joe'' (1945), followed by his starring in ...
in ''
Blood on the Moon ''Blood on the Moon'' is a 1948 RKO black-and-white "psychological" Western film noir starring Robert Mitchum, Barbara Bel Geddes, Robert Preston and Walter Brennan. Directed by Robert Wise, the cinematography is by Nicholas Musuraca. The ...
'' (1948) he played another kindly father role in '' The Green Promise'' (1949). Brennan was billed second to Rod Cameron in '' Brimstone'' (1949), directed by Kane, and he supported Gary Cooper in '' Task Force'' (1949). Brennan focused on Westerns: ''
Singing Guns ''Singing Guns'' is a 1950 American Trucolor Western film directed by R. G. Springsteen and starring Vaughn Monroe. The film features three songs by Monroe. " Mule Train", one of the songs featured in this 1950 Republic Western and sung by ...
'' (1950) with
Vaughn Monroe Vaughn Wilton Monroe (October 7, 1911 – May 21, 1973) was an American baritone singer, trumpeter, big band leader, actor, and businessman, who was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for rec ...
, ''
A Ticket to Tomahawk ''A Ticket to Tomahawk'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Richard Sale and starring Dan Dailey and Anne Baxter. It was released by 20th Century Fox. Marilyn Monroe appeared in one of her earliest roles. Plot In 1876, Johnny Jameson ...
'' (1950), ''
Curtain Call at Cactus Creek ''Curtain Call at Cactus Creek'' is a 1950 American Western comedy film starring Donald O'Connor and Gale Storm. In the story, a traveling entertainer (O'Connor) gets mixed up with bank robbers. Plot A traveling troupe of entertainers arrive ...
'' (1950), '' The Showdown'' (1950) with Wild Bill Elliot, ''
Surrender Surrender may refer to: * Surrender (law), the early relinquishment of a tenancy * Surrender (military), the relinquishment of territory, combatants, facilities, or armaments to another power Film and television * ''Surrender'' (1927 film), an ...
'' (1950), ''
Along the Great Divide ''Along the Great Divide'' is a 1951 American Western film noir directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Kirk Douglas, Virginia Mayo, John Agar and Walter Brennan. It was Douglas's first Western, a genre that served him well during his long career ...
'' (1951), '' Best of the Badmen'' (1951), and ''
Return of the Texan ''Return of the Texan'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Delmer Daves and starring Dale Robertson and Joanne Dru.The Wild Blue Yonder ''The Wild Blue Yonder'' is a 2005 science fiction fantasy film by German director Werner Herzog. It was presented at the 62nd Venice Film Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI Award. It was screened in competition at the Mar del Plata Internati ...
'' (1951) was a non-Western, a war film. So too was ''
Lure of the Wilderness ''Lure of the Wilderness'' is a 1952 romantic adventure Technicolor film directed by Jean Negulesco and based on the 1941 novel ''Swamp Water'' by Vereen Bell. The film is a remake of Jean Renoir's 1941 adaption of the novel. Walter Brennan ...
'' (1952), a remake of ''Swamp Water'' with Brennan reprising his role, though given less screen time on this occasion. Brennan was in ''
Sea of Lost Ships ''Sea of Lost Ships'' is a 1953 American adventure film directed by Joseph Kane and starring John Derek, Wanda Hendrix and Walter Brennan. It is a tribute to the US Coast Guard. Plot The son of a deceased Coast Guard hero is raised by a Coast Gu ...
'' (1953) with
John Derek John Derek (born Derek Delevan Harris; August 12, 1926 – May 22, 1998) was an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer and photographer.Drums Across the River ''Drums Across the River '' is a 1954 American Technicolor Western film directed by Nathan Juran and starring Audie Murphy, Walter Brennan and Lyle Bettger. Plot Gary Brannon, is a peaceful homesteader living a quiet existence with his father S ...
'' (1954) with
Audie Murphy Audie Leon Murphy (20 June 1925 – 28 May 1971) was an American soldier, actor and songwriter. He was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II. He received every military combat award for valor available from t ...
, ''
The Far Country ''The Far Country'' is a 1954 American Technicolor Western film directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, Ruth Roman, Walter Brennan, John McIntire and Corinne Calvet. Written by Borden Chase, the film is about a self-minded advent ...
'' (1954) with
James Stewart James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality h ...
, and '' Four Guns to the Border'' (1954) with
Rory Calhoun Rory Calhoun (born Francis Timothy McCown, August 8, 1922April 28, 1999) was an American film and television actor. He starred in numerous Westerns in the 1950s and 1960s, and appeared in supporting roles in films such as '' How to Marry a Milli ...
. He had a good part in ''
Bad Day at Black Rock ''Bad Day at Black Rock'' is a 1955 American neo-Western film directed by John Sturges with screenplay by Millard Kaufman. It stars Spencer Tracy and Robert Ryan with support from Anne Francis, Dean Jagger, Walter Brennan, John Ericson, Ernes ...
'' (1955) at MGM.


Later work


Work on television

Brennan began to work on television, guest starring on episodes of ''
Screen Directors Playhouse ''Screen Directors Playhouse'' (sometimes written as ''Screen Directors' Playhouse'') is an American radio and television anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949. The radio program broadcas ...
'', ''
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 ...
'', ''
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 ...
'', ''
Ethel Barrymore Theater The Ethel Barrymore Theatre is a Broadway theater at 241 West 47th Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Opened in 1928, it was designed by Herbert J. Krapp in the Elizabethan, Mediterranean, and Adam styles ...
'', ''
Cavalcade of America ''Cavalcade of America'' is an anthology drama series that was sponsored by the DuPont Company, although it occasionally presented musicals, such as an adaptation of ''Show Boat'', and condensed biographies of popular composers. It was initially ...
'', and ''
The Ford Television Theatre ''Ford Theatre'', spelled ''Ford Theater'' for the original radio version and known, in full, as ''The Ford Television Theatre'' for the TV version, is a radio and television anthology series broadcast in the United States in the 1940s and 1950 ...
''. He played an old outlaw, Joe, in the 1956 episode, "Vengeance Canyon", on ''
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre ''Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre'' is an American Western anthology television series that was broadcast on CBS from October 5, 1956, until September 20, 1962. Format Many episodes were based on novels by Zane Grey, to all of which Four Star F ...
''. In the story line, Joe tries to convince a young Clint Harding (
Ben Cooper Ben Cooper (September 30, 1933 – February 24, 2020) was an American actor of film and television, who won a Golden Boot Award in 2005 for his work in westerns. Stage Cooper appeared on Broadway in '' Life With Father'' (1939). He debuted in ...
), that vengeance is not productive. Sheb Wooley played another outlaw, Brock, this episode. He appeared as himself as a musical judge in the 1953–1954 ABC series '' Jukebox Jury''. Brennan later said he preferred doing television to movies because there were not "long lay offs between jobs." He continued to appear in movies such as '' Gunpoint!'' (1955) and ''
The Proud Ones ''The Proud Ones'' is a 1956 American CinemaScope Western film directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Robert Ryan and Virginia Mayo. The film was based on the 1952 novel by Verne Athanas who after suffering an early heart attack, he gave up ...
'' (1956) and was in a short about Israel, '' Man on a Bus'' (1955). Brennan was in "Americana" films such as '' Glory'' (1956), ''
Come Next Spring ''Come Next Spring'' is a 1956 American Trucolor movie directed by R. G. Springsteen, starring Ann Sheridan and Steve Cochran. The theme song, "Come Next Spring", with music by Max Steiner and lyrics by Lenny Adelson, was performed by Tony Benne ...
'' (1956) and in
Batjac Batjac Productions is an independent film production company co-founded by John Wayne in 1952 as a vehicle for Wayne to both produce and star in movies. The first Batjac production was ''Big Jim McLain'' released by Warner Bros. in 1952, and its ...
's '' Good-bye My Lady'' (1956) with 14-year-old
Brandon deWilde Andre Brandon deWilde (April 9, 1942 – July 6, 1972) was an American theater, film, and television actor. Born into a theatrical family in Brooklyn, he debuted on Broadway at the age of seven and became a national phenomenon by the time he com ...
with whom he recorded ''The Stories of
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 ...
'' that same year. In the latter film he was top billed and directed by William Wellman but the film was not widely seen. He appeared in ''
The Way to the Gold ''The Way to the Gold'' is a 1957 drama film directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Jeffrey Hunter, Sheree North, and Barry Sullivan. It was released by 20th Century-Fox. Plot Joe Mundy (Hunter) is being released from prison and an old convict ...
'' (1957) and was in a big hit playing
Debbie Reynolds Mary Frances "Debbie" Reynolds (April 1, 1932 – December 28, 2016) was an American actress, singer, and businesswoman. Her career spanned almost 70 years. She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer for her portra ...
's grandfather in the romantic comedy ''
Tammy and the Bachelor ''Tammy and the Bachelor'' is a 1957 romantic comedy film directed by Joseph Pevney and starring Debbie Reynolds as Tambrey "Tammy" Tyree, Walter Brennan as Grandpa Dinwitty and Leslie Nielsen as Peter Brent. It is the first of the four Tammy fi ...
'' (1957). Brennan was given another lead role in '' God Is My Partner'' (1957), a low budget movie that was a surprise hit.


''The Real McCoys''

Brennan had resisted overtures to star in a regular TV series but relented for ''
The Real McCoys ''The Real McCoys'' is an American situation comedy starring Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan. Co-produced by Danny Thomas's Marterto Productions in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus's Westgate Company, it ...
'', a
sitcom A sitcom, a portmanteau of situation comedy, or situational comedy, is a genre of comedy centered on a fixed set of characters who mostly carry over from episode to episode. Sitcoms can be contrasted with sketch comedy, where a troupe may use ne ...
about a poor
West Virginia West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian, Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.The Census Bureau and the Association of American Geographers classify West Virginia as part of the Southern United States while the Bur ...
family that relocated to a farm in
Southern California Southern California (commonly shortened to SoCal) is a geographic and Cultural area, cultural region that generally comprises the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. It includes the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the second most po ...
. It was a hit and ran from 1957 to 1963. Brennan continued to appear in films and other TV shows during the series' run such as ''
Colgate Theatre ''Colgate Theatre'' is a 30-minute dramatic television anthology series telecast on NBC during 1949 and 1958 for a total of 50 episodes in two different formats. The first edition, a live television anthology, was telecast on Monday nights from J ...
'' and another Howard Hawks' picture, '' Rio Bravo'' (1959), in support to John Wayne and
Dean Martin Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor and comedian. One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed "The King of Cool". M ...
. After five years on ABC, ''The Real McCoys'' switched to
CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...
for a final season. Brennan joined with the series creator,
Irving Pincus Irving may refer to: People * Irving (name), including a list of people with the name Fictional characters * Irving, the main character's love interest in Cathy (comic strip) * Lloyd Irving, the main protagonist in the ''Tales of Symphonia'' vi ...
, to form Brennan-Westgate Productions. The series was co-produced with Danny Thomas's Marterto Productions. It also featured
Richard Crenna Richard Donald Crenna (November 30, 1926 – January 17, 2003) was an American film, television and radio actor. Crenna starred in such motion pictures as ''The Sand Pebbles'', ''Wait Until Dark'', ''Un Flic'', ''Body Heat'', the first three ' ...
,
Kathleen Nolan Kathleen Nolan (born Joycelyn Schrum, September 27, 1933) is an American actress and former president of the Screen Actors Guild. From 1957 to 1962, she played Kate McCoy, a housewife, on the television series ''The Real McCoys''. Early years B ...
,
Lydia Reed Lydia Reed (born ) is an American former child actress who was known primarily for roles in 1950s films like ''The Vampire (1957 film), The Vampire'' and ''High Society (1956 film), High Society''; she also appeared as Hassie McCoy, Hassie in se ...
, and
Michael Winkelman Michael Lew Winkelman (June 27, 1946 – July 27, 1999) was an American film and television actor. He was perhaps best known for playing Little Luke in the television sitcom series ''The Real McCoys''. Winkelman was born in Los Angeles, Califor ...
. For Brennan Productions, Brennan starred in '' Shoot Out at Big Sag'' (1962). He appeared as a villainous river pirate up against James Stewart in MGM's epic '' How the West Was Won'' (1963).


Singing career

Brennan's success with ''The Real McCoys'' led to him making a few recordings, the most popular being "
Old Rivers "Old Rivers" is a country music song written by Cliff Crofford which tells the story of a man recalling a childhood friendship with an elderly farmer. The song was most famously recorded as a recitation by actor and recording artist Walter Brenna ...
", about an old farmer and his mule, which was released as a single in 1962 by Liberty Records with "The Epic Ride of
John H. Glenn John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, engineer, astronaut, businessman, and politician. He was the third American in space, and the first American to orbit the Earth, circling ...
" on the flip side. "Old Rivers" peaked at number five in the U.S. ''Billboard'' chart, making the 67 year-old Brennan the oldest living person to have a Top 40 hit at the time and in fact, the oldest living person to have a top 5 hit. At age 68, Brennan reached the Top 40 again, this time with " Mama Sang a Song" on November 17, 1962. After ''The Real McCoys'' ended, Brennan provided the voice for a cartoon of ''
The Shooting of Dan McGrew "The Shooting of Dan McGrew" is a narrative poem by British-Canadian writer Robert W. Service, first published in '' The Songs of a Sourdough'' in 1907 in Canada. Details The tale takes place in a Yukon saloon during the Yukon Gold Rush of th ...
''.


Other TV roles and Disney

Brennan starred as the wealthy executive Walter Andrews in the short-lived 1964–1965 ABC series '' The Tycoon'', with
Van Williams Van Zandt Jarvis Williams (February 27, 1934 – November 28, 2016) was an American actor best known for his leading role as Kenny Madison in both Warner Bros. television detective series '' Bourbon Street Beat'' (1959–1960) and its sequel ...
. Brennan had a support part in ''
Those Calloways ''Those Calloways'' is a 1964 American family drama film, adapted from the 1950 children's novel ''Swiftwater'' by Paul Annixter. The film was produced by Walt Disney and directed by Norman Tokar. It was the last credit for veteran film composer ...
'' (1965), his first film for the Disney Organisation, where he was again paired with Brandon deWilde. He had a small role in ''
The Oscar 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 ...
'' (1966). In 1967, he starred in another ABC series, ''
The Guns of Will Sonnett ''The Guns of Will Sonnett'' is a Western television series set in the 1870s that was broadcast in color on the ABC television network from 1967 to 1969. The series, which began with the working title, "Two Rode West", was the first production co ...
'' (1967–1969), as an older man in search of his gunfighter son, James Sonnett, with his grandson, Jeff, played by
Dack Rambo Norman Jay Rambo (November 13, 1941 – March 21, 1994), professionally known as Dack Rambo, was an American actor, widely known for his role as Walter Brennan's grandson Jeff in the series ''The Guns of Will Sonnett'', as Steve Jacobi in the ...
. It ran for two seasons. Brennan was top billed in Disney's ''
The Gnome-Mobile ''The Gnome-Mobile'' is a 1967 American fantasy comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney Productions. Based on the 1936 book ''The Gnomobile'' by Upton Sinclair, it was one of the last films personally supervised by ...
'' (1967) and did a pilot for a TV series ''Horatio Alger Jones'' that was not picked up. After a support role in ''
Who's Minding the Mint? ''Who's Minding the Mint?'' is a 1967 American crime comedy film directed by Howard Morris and starring Jim Hutton, Dorothy Provine, Walter Brennan and Milton Berle. The screenplay, concerning a group of individuals who break into a United State ...
'' (1967), he returned to Disney for ''
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band ''The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band'' is a 1968 American comedy musical western film from Walt Disney Productions. Distributed by Buena Vista Distribution, the film is based on a biography by Laura Bower Van Nuys, directed by Michael ...
'' (1968). Brennan had a part as the villain in ''
Support Your Local Sheriff! ''Support Your Local Sheriff!'' (also known as ''The Sheriff'') is a 1969 American comedy Western film directed by Burt Kennedy and starring James Garner, Joan Hackett, and Walter Brennan. The supporting cast features Harry Morgan, Jack Elam, ...
'' (1969) with
James Garner James Garner (born James Scott Bumgarner; April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor. He played leading roles in more than 50 theatrical films, including '' The Great Escape'' (1963) with Steve McQueen; Paddy Chayefsky's ''The Ameri ...
.


Later career

Brennan received top billing over
Pat O'Brien Pat O'Brien may refer to: Politicians * Pat O'Brien (Canadian politician) (born 1948), member of the Canadian House of Commons *Pat O'Brien (Irish politician) (c. 1847–1917), Irish Nationalist MP in the United Kingdom Parliament Others *Pat O'Br ...
in the
TV movie A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
''
The Over-the-Hill Gang ''The Over-the-Hill Gang'' is a 1969 American made-for-television Western comedy film about a group of aging Texas Rangers, starring Walter Brennan and Pat O'Brien. Chill Wills, Edgar Buchanan, Andy Devine, and Jack Elam play supporting rol ...
'' (1969) and
Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. He is often called the greatest dancer in Hollywood film history. Astaire's career in stage, film, and tele ...
in ''
The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again ''The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again'' starring Walter Brennan and Fred Astaire is a 1970 ''ABC Movie of the Week'' sequel to the Western comedy ''The Over-the-Hill Gang''. The supporting cast includes Edgar Buchanan, Andy Devine, Chill Will ...
'' (1970). He joined the second season of the CBS sitcom '' To Rome with Love'' (1969–1971), with
John Forsythe John Forsythe (January 29, 1918 – April 1, 2010) was an American stage, film/television actor, producer, narrator, drama teacher and philanthropist whose career spanned six decades. He also appeared as a guest on several talk and variety s ...
. This was Brennan's last television series as a member of the permanent cast, although he did make a number of appearances on ''
Alias Smith and Jones ''Alias Smith and Jones'' is an American Western series that originally aired on ABC from January 1971 to January 1973. The show initially starred Pete Duel as Hannibal Heyes and Ben Murphy as Jedediah "Kid" Curry, outlaw cousins who are tryin ...
''. Around this time he also starred in the TV movies '' The Young Country'' (1970), '' Two for the Money'' (1972) and '' Home for the Holidays'' (1972). He was announced for a Western, ''One Day in Eden'' but it does not appear to have been made. He started filming ''
Herbie Rides Again ''Herbie Rides Again'' is a 1974 American comedy film and the second installment of ''The Love Bug'' film series made by Walt Disney Productions starring an anthropomorphic (and quite autonomous) 1963 Volkswagen racing Beetle named Herbie. The ...
'' (1973) for Disney but fell ill and had to be replaced. Brennan's last screen appearance was in the Western '' Smoke in the Wind'' (1975), directed by
Joseph Kane Jasper Joseph Inman Kane (March 19, 1894, San Diego – August 25, 1975, Santa Monica, California) was an American film director, film producer, film editor and screenwriter. He is best known for his extensive directorship and focus on Western fi ...
.


Personal life

In 1920, Brennan married Ruth Caroline Wells. They had three children in their 54-year marriage: Arthur, Walter, and Ruth. Ruth's husband, Dixon McCully Lademan, was a captain in the
U.S. Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage o ...
in World War II, the
Korean War , date = {{Ubl, 25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953 (''de facto'')({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=6, day1=25, year1=1950, month2=7, day2=27, year2=1953), 25 June 1950 – present (''de jure'')({{Age in years, months, weeks a ...
, and the
Vietnam War The Vietnam War (also known by #Names, other names) was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. It was the second of the Indochina Wars and was officially fought between North Vie ...
. Brennan's son Arthur Wells "Big Mike" Brennan and his wife, Florence Irene (Whitman) Brennan, lived in Joseph, Oregon. Brennan and his wife were members of the far-right and anti-communist
John Birch Society The John Birch Society (JBS) is an American right-wing political advocacy group. Founded in 1958, it is anti-communist, supports social conservatism, and is associated with ultraconservative, radical right, far-right, or libertarian ide ...
.A Real American Character: The Life of Walter Brennan, Carl Rollyson, 2012 In 1940, Brennan purchased the 12,000-acre Lightning Creek Ranch, 20 miles north of Joseph, Oregon. He built the Indian Lodge Motel, a movie theater, and a variety store in Joseph, and continued going there between film roles until his death. Some members of his family continue to live in the area. Brennan spent his last years mostly in retirement at his ranch in Moorpark in Ventura County, California. He died of
emphysema Emphysema, or pulmonary emphysema, is a lower respiratory tract disease, characterised by air-filled spaces ( pneumatoses) in the lungs, that can vary in size and may be very large. The spaces are caused by the breakdown of the walls of the alve ...
at the age of 80 in
Oxnard, California Oxnard () is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. On California's South Coast, it is the most populous city in Ventura County and the 22nd-most-populous city in California. Incorporated in 1903, Oxnard lies approximately west ...
. His remains were interred at
San Fernando Mission Cemetery The San Fernando Mission Cemetery is a Catholic cemetery located in the Mission Hills community of the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. The property adjoins the San Fernando Mission and Bishop Alemany Catholic High School. ThSan Fernando Mi ...
in Los Angeles.


Religious and political views

Brennan, a
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
, did not publicize his own religious affiliation, but declared in 1964, "I'm too old not to be a religious fella. ..It appears we are losing something a lot of people made a lot of sacrifices for." That year Brennan spoke at "Project Prayer", a rally attended by 2,500 at the
Shrine Auditorium The Shrine Auditorium is a landmark large-event venue in Los Angeles, California. It is also the headquarters of the Al Malaikah Temple, a division of the Shriners. It was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (No. 139) in 1975, and ...
in Los Angeles. The gathering, hosted by
Anthony Eisley Anthony Eisley (January 19, 1925 – January 29, 2003) was an American actor best known as one of the detective leads, Tracy Steele, in the ABC/Warner Brothers television series '' Hawaiian Eye''. Early in his career, he was credited as Fred Eis ...
, sought to flood
Congress A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of a ...
with letters in support of mandatory school prayer, following two decisions of the
Supreme Court A supreme court is the highest court within the hierarchy of courts in most legal jurisdictions. Other descriptions for such courts include court of last resort, apex court, and high (or final) court of appeal. Broadly speaking, the decisions of ...
in 1962 and 1963 that had struck down the practice of mandatory prayer in public schools as being in conflict with the
Establishment Clause In United States law, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, together with that Amendment's Free Exercise Clause, form the constitutional right of freedom of religion. The relevant constitutional text ...
of the
First Amendment to the United States Constitution The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prevents the government from making laws that regulate an establishment of religion, or that prohibit the free exercise of religion, or abridge the freedom of speech, the ...
. According to his biographer Carl Rollyson, Brennan was fiercely opposed to Communism and reportedly branded people as Communists if they supported
John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK and the nickname Jack, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination ...
. "He thought that the Watts riots could have been stopped 'with a machine gun'" and expressed satisfaction at the murder of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Rollyson also reported that Brennan's home "included a bunker stocked with weapons and food in anticipation of a Soviet invasion." It's been said that when he heard of the news that King was assassinated, Brennan danced a jig, much to the shock of the cast and crew of ''The Guns of Will Sonnett'', and did the same for the assassination of
Robert F. Kennedy Robert Francis Kennedy (November 20, 1925June 6, 1968), also known by his initials RFK and by the nickname Bobby, was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 64th United States Attorney General from January 1961 to September 1964, ...
. A staunch conservative
Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
and a member of the
Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals The Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals (MPAPAI, also MPA) was an American organization of high-profile, politically conservative members of the Hollywood film industry. It was formed in 1944 for the stated purpose of d ...
, Brennan supported
Barry Goldwater Barry Morris Goldwater (January 2, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was an American politician and United States Air Force officer who was a five-term U.S. Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–1987) and the Republican Party nominee for presiden ...
in the
1964 United States presidential election The 1964 United States presidential election was the 45th quadrennial United States presidential election, presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 3, 1964. Incumbent Democratic Party (United States), Democratic President of the Un ...
due to his voting against the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 The Civil Rights Act of 1964 () is a landmark civil rights and United States labor law, labor law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on Race (human categorization), race, Person of color, color, religion, sex, and nationa ...
, but later endorsed
George Wallace George Corley Wallace Jr. (August 25, 1919 – September 13, 1998) was an American politician who served as the 45th governor of Alabama for four terms. A member of the Democratic Party, he is best remembered for his staunch segregationist and ...
in 1968 believing
Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a representative and senator from California and was ...
was too liberal for a Republican. In 1972, he endorsed far-right candidate John Schmitz, who much like Brennan, was a member of the
John Birch Society The John Birch Society (JBS) is an American right-wing political advocacy group. Founded in 1958, it is anti-communist, supports social conservatism, and is associated with ultraconservative, radical right, far-right, or libertarian ide ...
. Brennan also endorsed
Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...
in the 1966 California gubernatorial election and in his reelection in 1970.


Legacy

Film historians and critics have long regarded Brennan as one of the finest
character actors A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to be ...
in motion picture history. While the roles he was adept at playing were diverse, he is probably best remembered for his portrayals in
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 ...
movies, such as Judge Roy Bean in ''The Westerner'', trail hand Nadine Groot in '' Red River'', and Deputy Stumpy in '' Rio Bravo''. He was the first actor to win three Academy Awards and remains the only person to have won Best Supporting Actor three times. However, he remained somewhat embarrassed as to how he won the awards; in the early years of the Academy Awards, extras were given the right to vote. Brennan was popular with the Union of Film Extras, and since their numbers were overwhelming, he won every time he was nominated. His third win led to the disenfranchisement of the union from Oscar voting. Following this change, Brennan lost his fourth Best Supporting Actor nomination in 1941 for ''Sergeant York'' (the award went to Donald Crisp for ''How Green Was My Valley''). In all, Brennan appeared in more than 230 film and television roles during a career that spanned nearly five decades. For his contributions to the film industry, he has a motion pictures 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 6501
Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood Boulevard is a major east–west street in Los Angeles, California. It begins in the east at Sunset Boulevard in the Los Feliz district and proceeds to the west as a major thoroughfare through Little Armenia and Thai Town, Hollywoo ...
. In 1970, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the
National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is a museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, with more than 28,000 American West, Western and Native Americans in the United States, American Indian art works and Artifact (archaeology), ar ...
in
Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, it ranks 20th among United States cities in population, a ...
, where his photograph hangs prominently.


Filmography


Film


Television


Radio


Discography

Albums Singles


Awards and nominations


See also

* List of actors with Academy Award nominations


References

(40) https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/21833%7C153238/Walter-Brennan#overview


Further reading

*


External links

* *
Guide to Walter Brennan Papers
at Dickinson Research Centre {{DEFAULTSORT:Brennan, Walter 1894 births 1974 deaths 20th-century American male actors 20th-century American singers American country singer-songwriters American male film actors American male silent film actors American male television actors American people of Irish descent Best Supporting Actor Academy Award winners Burials at San Fernando Mission Cemetery California Republicans Cambridge Rindge and Latin School alumni Catholics from California Catholics from Massachusetts Catholics from Oregon Country musicians from California Deaths from emphysema Dot Records artists Liberty Records artists Male Western (genre) film actors Male actors from Cambridge, Massachusetts Male actors from Oxnard, California People from Malden, Massachusetts People from Moorpark, California People from Swampscott, Massachusetts People from Wallowa County, Oregon Singer-songwriters from California United States Army personnel of World War I United States Army soldiers Vaudeville performers American anti-communists Singer-songwriters from Massachusetts Singer-songwriters from Oregon Conservatism in the United States John Birch Society members New Right (United States)