John Garfield
John Garfield, born Jacob Julius Garfinkle on March 4, 1913, in New York City, was an American actor known for his intense and naturalistic performances. He is considered one of the finest actors of his generation and was a prominent figure during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Garfield grew up in a working-class family and began his acting career on the stage, performing in various productions on Broadway during the 1930s. He gained recognition for his powerful performances and was eventually noticed by Hollywood.
In 1938, Garfield made his film debut in "Four Daughters," earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the brooding and troubled musician Mickey Borden. The role showcased his ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters, and it launched his career in film.
Throughout the 1940s, Garfield appeared in a series of notable films, solidifying his reputation as a talented and versatile actor. Some of his most memorable performances came in movies like "They Made Me a Criminal" (1939), "The Sea Wolf" (1941), "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947), and "Force of Evil" (1948). He often portrayed characters with a rough-edged charm, often embodying the "everyman" with a touch of vulnerability.
Garfield's performances were marked by his intense and emotionally charged acting style, drawing audiences into his characters' struggles and conflicts. He was known for his commitment to authenticity and his ability to convey raw emotions on screen.
Despite his success, Garfield faced challenges during the height of his career due to his left-leaning political views and his refusal to testify against fellow actors during the McCarthy era communist witch hunts. He was blacklisted by Hollywood, limiting his opportunities in the film industry.
Tragically, Garfield's career and life were cut short when he died of a heart attack at the age of 39 on May 21, 1952. His premature death left a void in the acting world, and he remains an admired and influential figure in Hollywood history.
John Garfield's contributions to film, particularly his nuanced and passionate performances, continue to be celebrated. His work and impact on the craft of acting remain influential, and he is remembered as a talented actor who brought depth and realism to his characters.
John Garfield, born Jacob Julius Garfinkle on March 4, 1913, in New York City, was an American actor known for his intense and naturalistic performances. He is considered one of the finest actors of his generation and was a prominent figure during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Garfield grew up in a working-class family and began his acting career on the stage, performing in various productions on Broadway during the 1930s. He gained recognition for his powerful performances and was eventually noticed by Hollywood.
In 1938, Garfield made his film debut in "Four Daughters," earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the brooding and troubled musician Mickey Borden. The role showcased his ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters, and it launched his career in film.
Throughout the 1940s, Garfield appeared in a series of notable films, solidifying his reputation as a talented and versatile actor. Some of his most memorable performances came in movies like "They Made Me a Criminal" (1939), "The Sea Wolf" (1941), "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947), and "Force of Evil" (1948). He often portrayed characters with a rough-edged charm, often embodying the "everyman" with a touch of vulnerability.
Garfield's performances were marked by his intense and emotionally charged acting style, drawing audiences into his characters' struggles and conflicts. He was known for his commitment to authenticity and his ability to convey raw emotions on screen.
Despite his success, Garfield faced challenges during the height of his career due to his left-leaning political views and his refusal to testify against fellow actors during the McCarthy era communist witch hunts. He was blacklisted by Hollywood, limiting his opportunities in the film industry.
Tragically, Garfield's career and life were cut short when he died of a heart attack at the age of 39 on May 21, 1952. His premature death left a void in the acting world, and he remains an admired and influential figure in Hollywood history.
John Garfield's contributions to film, particularly his nuanced and passionate performances, continue to be celebrated. His work and impact on the craft of acting remain influential, and he is remembered as a talented actor who brought depth and realism to his characters.
Garfield grew up in a working-class family and began his acting career on the stage, performing in various productions on Broadway during the 1930s. He gained recognition for his powerful performances and was eventually noticed by Hollywood.
In 1938, Garfield made his film debut in "Four Daughters," earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the brooding and troubled musician Mickey Borden. The role showcased his ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters, and it launched his career in film.
Throughout the 1940s, Garfield appeared in a series of notable films, solidifying his reputation as a talented and versatile actor. Some of his most memorable performances came in movies like "They Made Me a Criminal" (1939), "The Sea Wolf" (1941), "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947), and "Force of Evil" (1948). He often portrayed characters with a rough-edged charm, often embodying the "everyman" with a touch of vulnerability.
Garfield's performances were marked by his intense and emotionally charged acting style, drawing audiences into his characters' struggles and conflicts. He was known for his commitment to authenticity and his ability to convey raw emotions on screen.
Despite his success, Garfield faced challenges during the height of his career due to his left-leaning political views and his refusal to testify against fellow actors during the McCarthy era communist witch hunts. He was blacklisted by Hollywood, limiting his opportunities in the film industry.
Tragically, Garfield's career and life were cut short when he died of a heart attack at the age of 39 on May 21, 1952. His premature death left a void in the acting world, and he remains an admired and influential figure in Hollywood history.
John Garfield's contributions to film, particularly his nuanced and passionate performances, continue to be celebrated. His work and impact on the craft of acting remain influential, and he is remembered as a talented actor who brought depth and realism to his characters.
John Garfield, born Jacob Julius Garfinkle on March 4, 1913, in New York City, was an American actor known for his intense and naturalistic performances. He is considered one of the finest actors of his generation and was a prominent figure during the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Garfield grew up in a working-class family and began his acting career on the stage, performing in various productions on Broadway during the 1930s. He gained recognition for his powerful performances and was eventually noticed by Hollywood.
In 1938, Garfield made his film debut in "Four Daughters," earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the brooding and troubled musician Mickey Borden. The role showcased his ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters, and it launched his career in film.
Throughout the 1940s, Garfield appeared in a series of notable films, solidifying his reputation as a talented and versatile actor. Some of his most memorable performances came in movies like "They Made Me a Criminal" (1939), "The Sea Wolf" (1941), "Gentleman's Agreement" (1947), and "Force of Evil" (1948). He often portrayed characters with a rough-edged charm, often embodying the "everyman" with a touch of vulnerability.
Garfield's performances were marked by his intense and emotionally charged acting style, drawing audiences into his characters' struggles and conflicts. He was known for his commitment to authenticity and his ability to convey raw emotions on screen.
Despite his success, Garfield faced challenges during the height of his career due to his left-leaning political views and his refusal to testify against fellow actors during the McCarthy era communist witch hunts. He was blacklisted by Hollywood, limiting his opportunities in the film industry.
Tragically, Garfield's career and life were cut short when he died of a heart attack at the age of 39 on May 21, 1952. His premature death left a void in the acting world, and he remains an admired and influential figure in Hollywood history.
John Garfield's contributions to film, particularly his nuanced and passionate performances, continue to be celebrated. His work and impact on the craft of acting remain influential, and he is remembered as a talented actor who brought depth and realism to his characters.
Quotes:
"Screen acting is my business but I get my kicks from Broadway."
[In September 1947 "Screenland"] "England has been praised for turning out intelligent, adult pictures whereas Hollywood has been severely censured for turning out junk. I don't think criticism is a valid one because, in defense of Hollywood, we have censorship problems England doesn't have. I'm not speaking of the license to do sexy stuff. I'm speaking of the license to present adult ideas and viewpoints, which we lack and which means in turn that many of our pictures lack intelligent content."
"No actor can really be good until he's reached forty." [He died at 39.]
[on his relationship with Warner Bros.] "I was suspended "only" 11 times. I served my time and took it like a sport . . .They taught me the business, and they made me a star. They took their chances with a cocky kid from the East who still talked out of the corner of his mouth. I appreciate all that."
[on his past associations with "progressive" causes] "Actors are emotional. If somebody would come up to us and say, "Sign here. Everybody's doing it for civil liberties", or "Sign here to save the bread of children of writers banned from the studios because of their political beliefs", I would sign because it was a right cause in which I believed."
- John Garfield
Trivia:
Because both Garfield and his wife did not want to "go Hollywood," he had a clause in his Warner contract that allowed him to perform in a legitimate play every year at his option, and they chose not to own a home in Tinseltown.
Garfield was one of Warner Bros' most suspended stars, having been suspended 11 times during his nine years at the studio.
The role of Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront (1954) was originally written for Garfield, but he died before the film was made.
When he turned down the chance to play the male lead on Broadway in "A Streetcar Named Desire," the part written originally by Tennessee Williams for an Italian-American was rewritten for a Polish-American to accommodate the blonde looks of the then unknown Marlon Brando. Brando's performance made him a star.
Robert Blake related that when he was playing John Garfield as a boy in Humoresque (1946), there was a scene he could not get right. Garfield cleared the set and directed Blake himself. After the scene was finished, Garfield told the nine-year-old. "Robert, remember this for the rest of your life. Your life is a rehearsal. Your performance is real.".
Blacklisted during the McCarthy "Red Scare" era in the early 1950s for his left-wing political beliefs, he adamantly refused to "name names" in testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in April 1951. He was found dead of a heart attack in the apartment of a former showgirl, Iris Whitney on May 21, 1952, the day after Clifford Odets, testifying before HUAC, reaffirmed that Garfield had never been a member of the Communist Party. His funeral in New York was mobbed by thousands of fans.
Garfield was one of Warner Bros' most suspended stars, having been suspended 11 times during his nine years at the studio.
The role of Terry Malloy in On the Waterfront (1954) was originally written for Garfield, but he died before the film was made.
When he turned down the chance to play the male lead on Broadway in "A Streetcar Named Desire," the part written originally by Tennessee Williams for an Italian-American was rewritten for a Polish-American to accommodate the blonde looks of the then unknown Marlon Brando. Brando's performance made him a star.
Robert Blake related that when he was playing John Garfield as a boy in Humoresque (1946), there was a scene he could not get right. Garfield cleared the set and directed Blake himself. After the scene was finished, Garfield told the nine-year-old. "Robert, remember this for the rest of your life. Your life is a rehearsal. Your performance is real.".
Blacklisted during the McCarthy "Red Scare" era in the early 1950s for his left-wing political beliefs, he adamantly refused to "name names" in testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in April 1951. He was found dead of a heart attack in the apartment of a former showgirl, Iris Whitney on May 21, 1952, the day after Clifford Odets, testifying before HUAC, reaffirmed that Garfield had never been a member of the Communist Party. His funeral in New York was mobbed by thousands of fans.
