Arthur Kennedy
Arthur Kennedy was an American actor born on February 17, 1914, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He had a prolific career spanning over five decades and made significant contributions to both stage and screen.
Kennedy's interest in acting developed during his college years at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). He later studied at the Actors Studio in New York City, honing his craft and preparing for a career in the performing arts.
Kennedy began his acting career in the 1930s, primarily working on stage.
He made his Broadway debut in 1937 in the play "Having a Wonderful Time" and went on to perform in several notable productions, earning critical acclaim for his stage work.
In 1940, Kennedy made his film debut in the movie "City for Conquest," which marked the beginning of his successful film career. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, he appeared in a variety of film genres, including film noir, westerns, dramas, and war films. Kennedy's versatility as an actor allowed him to tackle a wide range of roles, and he became known for his ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters.
Kennedy's notable film noir appearances include "High Sierra" (1941), "Champion" (1949), "The Desperate Hours" (1955), and "Crime in the Streets" (1956). His performances in these films showcased his ability to portray morally ambiguous characters, often displaying a blend of toughness and vulnerability.
Throughout his career, Kennedy received critical acclaim for his work and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including four nominations for Best Supporting Actor and one for Best Actor. He won a Tony Award for his role in the play "Death of a Salesman" in 1951.
In addition to his film and stage work, Kennedy also appeared in various television shows and made-for-TV movies. He continued acting until his death, with his final film role in "The Man from Snowy River II" released posthumously in 1988.
Arthur Kennedy passed away on January 5, 1990, in Branford, Connecticut, at the age of 75. His contributions to the world of acting, both on stage and screen, left a lasting legacy, and he is remembered as a talented and versatile actor who brought depth and authenticity to his performances.
Kennedy's interest in acting developed during his college years at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). He later studied at the Actors Studio in New York City, honing his craft and preparing for a career in the performing arts.
Kennedy began his acting career in the 1930s, primarily working on stage.
He made his Broadway debut in 1937 in the play "Having a Wonderful Time" and went on to perform in several notable productions, earning critical acclaim for his stage work.
In 1940, Kennedy made his film debut in the movie "City for Conquest," which marked the beginning of his successful film career. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, he appeared in a variety of film genres, including film noir, westerns, dramas, and war films. Kennedy's versatility as an actor allowed him to tackle a wide range of roles, and he became known for his ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters.
Kennedy's notable film noir appearances include "High Sierra" (1941), "Champion" (1949), "The Desperate Hours" (1955), and "Crime in the Streets" (1956). His performances in these films showcased his ability to portray morally ambiguous characters, often displaying a blend of toughness and vulnerability.
Throughout his career, Kennedy received critical acclaim for his work and was nominated for five Academy Awards, including four nominations for Best Supporting Actor and one for Best Actor. He won a Tony Award for his role in the play "Death of a Salesman" in 1951.
In addition to his film and stage work, Kennedy also appeared in various television shows and made-for-TV movies. He continued acting until his death, with his final film role in "The Man from Snowy River II" released posthumously in 1988.
Arthur Kennedy passed away on January 5, 1990, in Branford, Connecticut, at the age of 75. His contributions to the world of acting, both on stage and screen, left a lasting legacy, and he is remembered as a talented and versatile actor who brought depth and authenticity to his performances.
Quotes:
[1985, about retiring] "I ask myself that frequently. It seems the theater has been on the downcline since the mid-fifties. The pace of television shows is very unappealing to me. I will not live in Hollywood or New York anymore and if they don't see you around they just don't think of you for roles. I guess I'm retired, but if Tony Quinn [Anthony Quinn] told me that there was a hell of a part for me in a picture or play I'd probably do it. Because I'd believe him and I miss his company. I like to work with old friends and there are fewer and fewer of them left."
"[on Henry Hathaway] A walking encyclopedia of the business. Away from work, he was delightful, but on the set, a holy terror!"
- Arthur Kennedy
Trivia:
Edmond O'Brien was originally cast as Jackson Bentley in Lawrence of Arabia (1962). After O'Brien filmed several scenes, he suffered a heart attack and had to be replaced. Kennedy was recommended to director David Lean by Anthony Quinn, whom Kennedy had replaced on Broadway in the role of King Henry II in the play "Beckett" (1960).
Four of Kennedy's five Oscar-nominated performances were directed by Mark Robson: Champion (1949), Bright Victory (1951), Trial (1955) and Peyton Place (1957). His fifth nod, for Some Came Running (1958), was directed by Vincente Minnelli.
Four of Kennedy's five Oscar-nominated performances were directed by Mark Robson: Champion (1949), Bright Victory (1951), Trial (1955) and Peyton Place (1957). His fifth nod, for Some Came Running (1958), was directed by Vincente Minnelli.
