Arthur Kennedy
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Arthur Kennedy
Biography
American actor Arthur Kennedy was usually cast in western or contemporary roles in his films; on stage, it was another matter. A graduate of the Carnegie-Mellon drama department, Kennedy's first professional work was with the Globe Theatre Company touring the midwest in abbreviated versions of Shakespearian plays. From here he moved into the American company of British stage star Maurice Evans, who cast Kennedy in his Broadway production of Richard III. Kennedy continued doing Shakespeare for Evans and agit-prop social dramas for the Federal Theatre, but when time came for his first film, City for Conquest (1940), he found himself in the very ordinary role of James Cagney's boxer brother. Throughout his first Warner Bros. contract, Kennedy showed promise as a young character lead, but films like Bad Men of Missouri (1941), They Died with Their Boots On (1942) and Air Force (1943) did little to tap the actor's classical training. After World War II service, Kennedy returned to Broadway, creating the role of Chris Keller in Arthur Miller's All My Sons (1947). This led to an even more prestigious Miller play, the Pulitzer Prize winning Death of a Salesman (1948), in which Kennedy played Biff. Sadly, Kennedy was not permitted to repeat these plum roles in the film versions of these plays, but the close association with Miller continued on stage; Kennedy would play John Proctor in The Crucible (1957) and the doctor brother in The Price (1965). While his film work during this era resulted in several Academy Award nominations, Kennedy never won; he was honored, however, with the New York Film Critics award for his on-target portrayal of a newly blinded war veteran battling not only his handicap but also his inbred racism in Bright Victory (1951). The biggest box office success with which Kennedy was associated was Lawrence of Arabia (1962), wherein he replaced the ailing Edmund O'Brien in the role of the Lowell Thomas character. Working continually in film and TV projects of wildly varying quality, Kennedy quit the business cold in the mid-1980s, retiring to live with family members in a small eastern town. Kennedy was so far out of the Hollywood mainstream in the years before his death that, when plans were made to restore the fading Lawrence of Arabia prints and Kennedy was needed to re-record his dialogue, the restorers were unable to locate the actor through Screen Actor's Guild channels -- and finally had to trace him through his hometown telephone directory. ~ Hal Erickson, RoviRelated Videos:
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Arthur Kennedy
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Arthur Kennedy
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Arthur Kennedy (actor)
| Arthur Kennedy | |
|---|---|
 Kennedy in Champion (1949) |
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| Born | John Arthur Kennedy February 17, 1914 Worcester, Massachusetts, United States |
| Died | January 5, 1990 (aged 75) Branford, Connecticut, United States |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1940–90 |
| Spouse | Mary Cheffrey (1938-75; her death) |
Arthur Kennedy (February 17, 1914 – January 5, 1990) was an American stage and film actor known for his versatility in supporting film roles and his ability to create "an exceptional honesty and naturalness on stage" especially in the original casts of Arthur Miller plays on Broadway.[1]
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Early life and education
Kennedy was born John Arthur Kennedy on 17 February 1914 in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Helen (née Thompson) and J.T. Kennedy, a dentist. He attended South High School, Worcester and Worcester Academy. At Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh he studied drama being graduated B.A. in 1934.[2]
Career
Kennedy moved to New York and, billed as John Kennedy, joined the Group Theatre. He then toured with a classical repertory company. In September 1937, he made his Broadway debut as Bushy in Maurice Evans' Richard II at the St. James Theatre. In 1939 he played Sir Richard Vernon in Evans' Henry IV, Part 1.[2]
Kennedy got his break when he was discovered by James Cagney. His first film role was of Cagney's younger brother in City for Conquest in 1940. He was equally adept as hero or villain, and was noted for his mastery of complex, multi-faceted roles. He appeared in many Western films and police dramas.
He appeared in many notable films from the early 1940s through to the mid 1960s, including High Sierra, They Died with Their Boots On, The Glass Menagerie, Lawrence of Arabia, Peyton Place, Elmer Gantry and Fantastic Voyage.
Of Kennedy's film work, he is perhaps best-remembered for his collaborations with director Anthony Mann and co-star James Stewart on Bend of the River (1952) and The Man from Laramie (1955). In both films he played sympathetic villains.
He also enjoyed a distinguished stage career over the same period, receiving a Tony Award for the role of Biff Loman in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman (1949). Kennedy also inaugurated three other major characters in Miller plays: Chris Keller in All My Sons (1947 ), John Proctor in The Crucible (1953), and Walter Franz in The Price (1968). In 1961 he played the title role in Becket, opposite Laurence Olivier as Henry II.
Waning interest, ill-health then comeback
With the death of his wife in 1975 and health problems (failing eyesight, alcoholism and thyroid cancer), he was reported as losing interest in film-making, and after Covert Action (1978) his next film was Signs of Life (1989).[3]
Awards and honors
In 1949, Kennedy won an Tony Award for best supporting actor as Biff in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman at the Morosco Theatre.[2]
The New York Film Critics named him best actor for Bright Victory (1951).[2]
His performance in Trial won him a Golden Globe Award for best supporting actor.[2]
His portrayal of the newspaper reporter in Elmer Gantry (1960) gained him a Film Daily Award and a Limelight Award.[2]
Oscar nominations
Kennedy and Claude Rains share the record of four losing nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.[4] He also received a nomination for Best Actor, in Bright Victory (1951).
Personal life
Kennedy married Mary Cheffey (1915–1975) in March 1938. They had two children: Laurie and Terence.[2][5][6]
Death
The last years of his life Kennedy suffered with thyroid cancer and eye disease. He died in 1990 at Branford, Connecticut of a brain tumor. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, near his home at Lequille, Nova Scotia, Canada; his wife Mary is also buried there.
Partial filmography
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References
- ^ James C. McKinley Jr., "Arthur Kennedy, Actor, 75, Dies; Was Versatile in Supporting Roles", The New York Times, 7 Jan 1990, p 30, via ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007) accessed 13 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g Melissa Vickery-Bareford, "Kennedy, John Arthur", American National Biography Online, (Feb. 2000), accessed 13 Nov 13 2011.
- ^ Glenn Collins, "Arthur Kennedy: Comeback for a Curmudgeon", The New York Times, 30 Apr 1989, p H24, via ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007) accessed 13 November 2011.
- ^ Arthur Kennedy at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ "Arthur Kennedy Biography (1914-1990)". Film Reference, Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies. Advameg, Inc.. http://www.filmreference.com/film/50/Arthur-Kennedy.html. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
- ^ "Mary Cheffey". IMDB. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154949/. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
External links
- Arthur Kennedy at the Internet Broadway Database
- Arthur Kennedy at the Internet Movie Database
- Photographs of Arthur Kennedy tombstone, Nova Scotia.
- Literature on Arthur Kennedy
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Mentioned in
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(1978 Action Film)
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(1966 History Film)
Bright Victory
(1951 Drama Film)
Anzio
(1968 War Film)
Un Tipo con una faccia strana
(1973 Crime Film)
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