What are the professions of the jurors in '12 Angry Men'?

Answer 1

The professions of all 12 jurors is not made clear during the play. Some professions are revealed while the rest of the jurors are symbolized more by their character than what they profess to do for a living. The list as follows (NOTE: the translation of character attributes is in some cases based upon my translation and review of the play):

#1) Foreman of the Jury

#2) <Wish-washy, opinions swayed by others with seemingly no personal basis)

#3) <In denial about his poor relationship with his own son>

#4) Stock broker

#5) <Young man who grew up in the slums, similar environment as the defendant>

#6) House Painter

#7) Salesman

#8) <The 'Shadow of a doubt' juror from the start - the holdout>

#9) <Described as a "mild, gentle old man waiting to die">

#10) <Racist, self-made proclamations supporting this made later in the play>

#11) <European refugee with a heart-felt sense of the American Justice system>

#12) Advertising Executive

Answer 2

The Foreman's job is not explicit in either the play or the film. Juror Two in the 1957 film is a bank clerk, but his job is not explicit in the play. Juror Three in the 1957 film runs a messenger service called Beck and Call, but his job is not explicit in the play. Juror Four in the 1957 film is a stockbroker, but his job is not explicit in the play, but he is described in the author's notes as seeming to be "a man of wealth and position, and a practiced speaker who presents himself well at all times." Juror Five's job is not explicit in either the play or the film. Juror Six is a housepainter, a man who is used to working with his hands rather than analyzing with his brain. Juror Seven is a salesman. Juror Eight's job in the 1957 film is an architect, but his job is not explicit. Juror Nine is an old man. In the author's notes, he is described as "long since defeated by life, and now merely waiting to die." Juror Ten's profession is unknown, but he is described in the author's notes as "an angry, bitter man - a man who antagonizes almost at sight. He is also a bigot." Juror Eleven in the 1957 film is a watchmaker, but his job is not explicit in the play; even though, he is in both cases an immigrant from Europe, a refugee from persecution. Juror Twelve works for an advertising agency.