Joseph Cotten
Joseph Cotten, born on May 15, 1905, in Petersburg, Virginia, was an American actor who made a significant contribution to the Golden Age of Hollywood. He is best known for his work in collaboration with renowned director Orson Welles and for his appearances in classic films such as "Citizen Kane" and "The Third Man."
Cotten had a career spanning over five decades and established himself as a versatile and talented actor.
Cotten graduated from the Hickman School of Expression in Washington, D.C., and subsequently began his acting career on stage. He made his Broadway debut in 1930 and gained recognition for his performances in various plays. It was during this time that he caught the attention of Orson Welles, who invited him to join his groundbreaking Mercury Theatre.
Cotten's collaboration with Orson Welles began in the late 1930s and continued throughout the 1940s. He played significant roles in Welles's stage productions, including "Julius Caesar" and "Danton's Death," and subsequently made a successful transition to film. In 1941, Cotten delivered a memorable performance as Jedediah Leland in "Citizen Kane," which is often regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.
Continuing his association with Welles, Cotten appeared in several other notable films, including "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942) and "Journey into Fear" (1943). He also worked with other renowned directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, starring in the classic thriller "Shadow of a Doubt" (1943). Cotten's performances often showcased his ability to portray complex and morally ambiguous characters.
In 1949, Cotten delivered one of his most acclaimed performances in Carol Reed's "The Third Man." His portrayal of Holly Martins, a writer caught up in a web of intrigue in post-war Vienna, is considered one of his finest roles. The film solidified his status as a leading actor and remains a cinematic masterpiece.
Throughout the 1950s and beyond, Cotten continued to work in film, television, and theater. Some of his notable later works include "Niagara" (1953), "Touch of Evil" (1958), and "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (1964). He also made appearances in various television series, including "The Twilight Zone" and "The Love Boat."
Joseph Cotten passed away on February 6, 1994, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of cinema. His contributions to the art of acting and his collaborations with esteemed directors have secured his place as one of Hollywood's most talented and enduring actors.
Cotten had a career spanning over five decades and established himself as a versatile and talented actor.
Cotten graduated from the Hickman School of Expression in Washington, D.C., and subsequently began his acting career on stage. He made his Broadway debut in 1930 and gained recognition for his performances in various plays. It was during this time that he caught the attention of Orson Welles, who invited him to join his groundbreaking Mercury Theatre.
Cotten's collaboration with Orson Welles began in the late 1930s and continued throughout the 1940s. He played significant roles in Welles's stage productions, including "Julius Caesar" and "Danton's Death," and subsequently made a successful transition to film. In 1941, Cotten delivered a memorable performance as Jedediah Leland in "Citizen Kane," which is often regarded as one of the greatest films of all time.
Continuing his association with Welles, Cotten appeared in several other notable films, including "The Magnificent Ambersons" (1942) and "Journey into Fear" (1943). He also worked with other renowned directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, starring in the classic thriller "Shadow of a Doubt" (1943). Cotten's performances often showcased his ability to portray complex and morally ambiguous characters.
In 1949, Cotten delivered one of his most acclaimed performances in Carol Reed's "The Third Man." His portrayal of Holly Martins, a writer caught up in a web of intrigue in post-war Vienna, is considered one of his finest roles. The film solidified his status as a leading actor and remains a cinematic masterpiece.
Throughout the 1950s and beyond, Cotten continued to work in film, television, and theater. Some of his notable later works include "Niagara" (1953), "Touch of Evil" (1958), and "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (1964). He also made appearances in various television series, including "The Twilight Zone" and "The Love Boat."
Joseph Cotten passed away on February 6, 1994, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of cinema. His contributions to the art of acting and his collaborations with esteemed directors have secured his place as one of Hollywood's most talented and enduring actors.
Quotes:
"I didn't care about the movies really. I was tall. I could talk. It was easy to do."
"I was a so-called star because of my limitations and that was always the case. I couldn't do any accents. So I had to pretend. Luckily I was tall, had curly hair and a good voice. I only had to stamp my foot and I'd play the lead -- because I couldn't play character parts."
"Orson Welles lists Citizen Kane (1941) as his best film, Alfred Hitchcock opts for Shadow of a Doubt (1943) and Sir Carol Reed chose The Third Man (1949) - and I'm in all of them."
[on Orson Welles] "I know a little about Orson's childhood and seriously doubt if he ever was a child."
"In Hollywood, those stars who have been around a long while and seem to grow better with time are the ones who regard "stardom" merely as an opportunity to grow."
- Joseph Cotten
Trivia:
Served as best man at Orson Welles's wedding to Rita Hayworth.
Despite their mercurial relationship, he and Orson Welles remained friends until Welles' death.
Worked with Alfred Hitchcock in one of his finest films, Shadow of a Doubt (1943). They worked again in Under Capricorn (1949) but the film flopped with Hitch disowning it. Cotton never appeared in any subsequent Hitchcock film for the cinema, but did appear in some episodes of Hitchcock's TV series, including one of the few episodes to be directed by Hitchcock himself.
Appeared in four Best Picture nominees in the 1940s alone: Citizen Kane (1941), The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), Gaslight (1944) and Since You Went Away (1944).
While Citizen Kane (1941) is officially Cotten's debut film, MGM actually filmed the Broadway stage production of "The Philadelphia Story" with Cotten, Katharine Hepburn, Van Heflin, Shirley Booth, et al. as prep for the 1940 movie version with Hepburn, Cary Grant, Ruth Hussey and James Stewart.
Cotten had suffered a debilitating stroke and heart attack in 1981, and fought for years to regain use of his baritone voice. Troubled intermittently by throat nodules, he had his larynx removed in 1990 because of cancer.
