John Payne
John Payne, born John Howard Payne on May 28, 1912, in Roanoke, Virginia, was an American actor and singer. He had a prolific career in both film and television, known for his versatile performances in a variety of genres.
Payne began his career as a singer in vaudeville before transitioning to film in the late 1930s. He signed a contract with 20th Century Fox and made his screen debut in the musical comedy "Dodsworth" (1936). Payne's good looks and pleasant singing voice made him popular with audiences, and he soon became a leading man in Hollywood.
Throughout the 1940s, Payne appeared in a wide range of films, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He demonstrated his talent in musicals like "Sun Valley Serenade" (1941) and "Weekend in Havana" (1941), and he also excelled in dramatic roles, such as his performances in "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947) and "The Razor's Edge" (1946). Payne was known for his charm, likability, and ability to bring depth to his characters.
In the 1950s, Payne continued his successful career, starring in films like "Kansas City Confidential" (1952), a noir crime thriller, and "The Boss" (1956), a Western. He also made notable appearances in several film noirs, including "99 River Street" (1953) and "Slightly Scarlet" (1956). Payne's performances in these dark and gritty films showcased a different side of his acting abilities.
As the popularity of films waned in the 1960s, Payne transitioned to television. He appeared in numerous TV shows, including the series "The Restless Gun" (1957-1959) and "The Virginian" (1962-1966), further solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry.
John Payne continued to work in television and film throughout the 1970s and 1980s, although his appearances became less frequent. He made his last film appearance in "Hello Down There" (1969) and his final television appearance in "Bret Maverick" (1982).
Outside of his acting career, Payne was involved in various philanthropic endeavors, including his work as a founding member of the California Lung Association.
John Payne passed away on December 6, 1989, in Malibu, California, leaving behind a legacy of versatile performances in both film and television. His contributions to the entertainment industry and his ability to excel in different genres continue to be appreciated by audiences today.
Payne began his career as a singer in vaudeville before transitioning to film in the late 1930s. He signed a contract with 20th Century Fox and made his screen debut in the musical comedy "Dodsworth" (1936). Payne's good looks and pleasant singing voice made him popular with audiences, and he soon became a leading man in Hollywood.
Throughout the 1940s, Payne appeared in a wide range of films, showcasing his versatility as an actor. He demonstrated his talent in musicals like "Sun Valley Serenade" (1941) and "Weekend in Havana" (1941), and he also excelled in dramatic roles, such as his performances in "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947) and "The Razor's Edge" (1946). Payne was known for his charm, likability, and ability to bring depth to his characters.
In the 1950s, Payne continued his successful career, starring in films like "Kansas City Confidential" (1952), a noir crime thriller, and "The Boss" (1956), a Western. He also made notable appearances in several film noirs, including "99 River Street" (1953) and "Slightly Scarlet" (1956). Payne's performances in these dark and gritty films showcased a different side of his acting abilities.
As the popularity of films waned in the 1960s, Payne transitioned to television. He appeared in numerous TV shows, including the series "The Restless Gun" (1957-1959) and "The Virginian" (1962-1966), further solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry.
John Payne continued to work in television and film throughout the 1970s and 1980s, although his appearances became less frequent. He made his last film appearance in "Hello Down There" (1969) and his final television appearance in "Bret Maverick" (1982).
Outside of his acting career, Payne was involved in various philanthropic endeavors, including his work as a founding member of the California Lung Association.
John Payne passed away on December 6, 1989, in Malibu, California, leaving behind a legacy of versatile performances in both film and television. His contributions to the entertainment industry and his ability to excel in different genres continue to be appreciated by audiences today.
Quotes:
"Back in 1937 while I was under contract to Paramount, I sang on a five-minute radio program with another contract player from Paramount. A girl who's done rather well since -- Betty Grable. Betty and I didn't do so well then, though. We couldn't find a sponsor and finally gave up the program. I sang low tenor -- or, should I say, high baritone."
- John Payne
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.
