Dana Andrews
Dana Andrews, born Carver Dana Andrews on January 1, 1909, was an American actor known for his work in film noir and other genres during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He appeared in over 100 films throughout his career, establishing himself as a versatile leading man.
Andrews was born in Collins, Mississippi, and grew up in Texas. After completing high school, he briefly attended Sam Houston State University before dropping out to work various jobs, including a stint as a rancher. In the early 1930s, he moved to Los Angeles, hoping to find work in the film industry.
In Hollywood, Andrews initially struggled to find acting opportunities but eventually landed a contract with Samuel Goldwyn Productions. He made his film debut in the 1940 drama "The Westerner," starring Gary Cooper. This role caught the attention of audiences and critics, and it marked the beginning of his successful acting career.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Andrews starred in numerous notable films. Some of his most memorable performances include "Laura" (1944), where he played the detective opposite Gene Tierney, "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946), a drama about World War II veterans, and "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1950), a film noir directed by Otto Preminger.
Andrews had a strong on-screen presence, often portraying rugged, no-nonsense characters. He excelled in playing complex individuals with conflicted emotions. His deep, resonant voice became one of his trademarks.
Despite his success, Andrews faced personal struggles, including issues with alcoholism. In the 1950s, he joined Alcoholics Anonymous and successfully overcame his addiction. His experiences with alcoholism later led him to become a prominent advocate for sobriety.
In the 1960s, Andrews transitioned to television, appearing in various shows and made-for-TV movies. He continued to act in both film and television throughout the 1970s, but his appearances became less frequent as he approached retirement.
Dana Andrews passed away on December 17, 1992, at the age of 83 in Los Alamitos, California, due to congestive heart failure. His contributions to the film industry and his memorable performances continue to be appreciated by audiences today, solidifying his status as a respected actor of his time.
Andrews was born in Collins, Mississippi, and grew up in Texas. After completing high school, he briefly attended Sam Houston State University before dropping out to work various jobs, including a stint as a rancher. In the early 1930s, he moved to Los Angeles, hoping to find work in the film industry.
In Hollywood, Andrews initially struggled to find acting opportunities but eventually landed a contract with Samuel Goldwyn Productions. He made his film debut in the 1940 drama "The Westerner," starring Gary Cooper. This role caught the attention of audiences and critics, and it marked the beginning of his successful acting career.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Andrews starred in numerous notable films. Some of his most memorable performances include "Laura" (1944), where he played the detective opposite Gene Tierney, "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946), a drama about World War II veterans, and "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1950), a film noir directed by Otto Preminger.
Andrews had a strong on-screen presence, often portraying rugged, no-nonsense characters. He excelled in playing complex individuals with conflicted emotions. His deep, resonant voice became one of his trademarks.
Despite his success, Andrews faced personal struggles, including issues with alcoholism. In the 1950s, he joined Alcoholics Anonymous and successfully overcame his addiction. His experiences with alcoholism later led him to become a prominent advocate for sobriety.
In the 1960s, Andrews transitioned to television, appearing in various shows and made-for-TV movies. He continued to act in both film and television throughout the 1970s, but his appearances became less frequent as he approached retirement.
Dana Andrews passed away on December 17, 1992, at the age of 83 in Los Alamitos, California, due to congestive heart failure. His contributions to the film industry and his memorable performances continue to be appreciated by audiences today, solidifying his status as a respected actor of his time.
Quotes:
[after having received "permission" from Samuel Goldwyn to get married] "About a week before the wedding was planned I got a call from the casting director: "Let your hair and your beard grow. You're going to be in a western". So in the society column of the Santa Monica paper there was a picture of the two of us, me with this beard, and it said, "Mr. Andrews is an actor. Note the beard."
"It's not difficult for me to hide emotion [on-screen], since I've always hidden it in my personal life."
[regarding his alcoholism] "Finally, I said to myself, "You're a miserable man. Whether or not you want to remain miserable is up to you". So I quit."
"I went through all the psychiatry thing, trying to find out why I drank. I finally ended up with the president of the American Psychiatry Association in Hartford telling me, "I'm damned if I know why you drink".
- Dana Andrews
Trivia:
In the late 1940s, during the height of his popularity, the publicist for Fox sent a telegram to the mayor of Collins, MS, suggesting that the town officially change its name to Andrews in honor of its native son. The mayor wired back: "We will not change our name to Andrews. Have Andrews change his to Collins".
Trained as an opera singer, but was rarely--e.g. in The North Star (1943)--allowed to use his fine singing voice in the movies. In the one musical he did make, State Fair (1945), his voice was dubbed because the studio was unaware he was a trained singer. He later explained that he didn't correct their mistake because he felt the singer dubbing him probably needed the money.
In 1931, at the height of the Great Depression, he quit his job in Texas working for an oil company, and hitchhiked to Los Angeles, hoping to break into show business.
Spent the last years of his life in a nursing facility in Los Alamitos, CA, due to Alzheimer's Disease. Long-time friend Burt Lancaster was visiting him when Lancaster had the paralyzing stroke from which he never recovered and that led to his death two years later.
