James Dunn (actor)

Infobox Actor
name = James Dunn
birthname = James Howard Dunn
birthdate = birth date|1901|11|2
location = New York, New York, U.S.
deathdate = death date and age|1967|09|3|1901|11|2 (following abdominal surgery)
deathplace = Santa Monica, California, U.S.
occupation = Actor, Vaudeville performer
spouse = Edna O Lier' (?-?)
Frances Gifford (1938-1942)
Edna Rush (1945-1967) (his death)
yearsactive = 1929-1966
academyawards = Best Supporting Actor
1945 - "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"

James Howard Dunn (November 2, 1901 - September 3, 1967) was an American Academy Award-winning film actor.

Biography

Born in New York, New York, of Irish descent, Dunn was the son of a Wall Street stockbroker who, according to Dunn, "either had a million or nothing." Dunn started his entertainment career in vaudeville before progressing to films at Paramount's Astoria studios in the late 1920s. [http://www.allocine.co.uk/personne/fichepersonne_gen_cpersonne=2449.html "James Dunn"] . Allocine.co.uk.] He was signed by Fox in 1931, making 22 films and several more on loan-out. He made a strong first impression with his first role, in Bad Girl. He went on to make several formula films, including "Society Girl" (1932) with Peggy Shannon and "Hello, Sister!" (1933) with Boots Mallory and ZaSu Pitts. Dunn's other early successes included four Shirley Temple films in 1934, "Baby Take a Bow", "Stand Up and Cheer", "Change of Heart" and "Bright Eyes".

The roles that followed did nothing to further his career, and during the late 1930s his prospects were further diminished by a battle with alcoholism. In 1945 his performance in "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, playing an alcoholic ne'er-do-well Irish father. His success was short lived and by the beginning of the 1950s, he was unemployed, bankrupt, and once again depending on alcohol. After 1950, he appeared in only three feature films, but continued working in television until his death. He appeared in the sitcom "It's A Great Life" from 1954 until 1956.

Personal life

Dunn was married three times. His first, to Edna O'Lier, ended in divorced. [http://www.dougmacaulay.com/kingspud/sel_by_actor_index_2.php?actor_first=James&actor_last=Dunn "Great Character Actors"] . Doug Macauley.com.] He was married to the actress Frances Gifford from 1938 until 1942. He married his third wife, Edna Rush in 1945, who survived him at his death on September 3, 1967. He died as a result of complications following stomach surgery in Santa Monica, California.

James Dunn has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for his contributions to motion pictures at 6555 Hollywood Boulevard, and television at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard.

Filmography

References

External links

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Persondata
NAME= Dunn, James
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Dunn, James Howard
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Actor, Vaudeville performer
DATE OF BIRTH= 1901-11-2
PLACE OF BIRTH= New York, New York, U.S.
DATE OF DEATH= 1967-09-3 (following abdominal surgery)
PLACE OF DEATH= Santa Monica, California, U.S.