John Garfield

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Birth Name: Jacob Julius Garfinkle

Born: 4 March 1913 Died: 21 May 1952

Country of origin: United States

Height: 5' 7"

Relationship Status: In a relationship

Partner: Iris Whitney

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Premature Deaths (Actors and Actresses) (133 items)
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Published 5 years, 11 months ago

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As Cool As It Gets (150 items)
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Published 7 years, 7 months ago

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Tribute to the Dinosaurs of the Cinema (122 items)
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Published 6 years, 3 months ago

2 comments

41 votes

Who's the Best Classic Actor? (53 items)
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Published 7 years, 5 months ago

30 comments

41 votes

Badass actors (101 items)
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Published 7 years, 7 months ago

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Description: Born: New York City, New York, USA. Father: David Garfinkle, a clothes presser & part time cantor Mother: Hannah Garfinkle (died: 1920) Brother: Max Garfinkle (born: 1918) Education: P.S. 45, New York City, a school for difficult children, & drama school at The Heckscher Foundation Spouse: Roberta Seidman (February 1935–May 21 1952, his death) - 3 children Children: Katherine Garfield (born: 1938–died March 18 1945), Julie Garfield, actress (born: January 10 1946) & David Patton Garfield, actor (born: July 25 1943–died November 24 1994) An American actor adept at playing brooding, rebellious, w Born: New York City, New York, USA.

Father: David Garfinkle, a clothes presser & part time cantor
Mother: Hannah Garfinkle (died: 1920)
Brother: Max Garfinkle (born: 1918)

Education: P.S. 45, New York City, a school for difficult children, & drama school at The Heckscher Foundation

Spouse: Roberta Seidman (February 1935–May 21 1952, his death) - 3 children

Children: Katherine Garfield (born: 1938–died March 18 1945), Julie Garfield, actress (born: January 10 1946) & David Patton Garfield, actor (born: July 25 1943–died November 24 1994)

An American actor adept at playing brooding, rebellious, working-class character roles. He grew up in poverty in Depression-era New York City and in the early 1930s became an important member of the Group Theater. In 1937 he moved to Hollywood, eventually becoming one of Warner Bros.' major stars.

At the onset of World War II, Garfield immediately attempted to enlist in the armed forces, but was turned down because of his heart condition. Frustrated, he turned his energies to supporting the war effort. He and actress Bette Davis were the driving forces behind the opening of the Hollywood Canteen, a club offering food and entertainment for American servicemen. He traveled overseas to help entertain the troops, made several bond selling tours and starred in a string of popular, patriotic films.

When his Warner Bros. contract expired in 1946, he did not re-sign with the studio, opting to start his own independent production company instead. He was one of the first Hollywood actors to do so.

Active in liberal political and social causes, he found himself embroiled in Communist scare of the late 1940s. Though he testified before Congress that he was never a Communist, his ability to get work declined. While separated from his wife, he succumbed to long-term heart problems, dying suddenly in the home of a woman friend at 39. His funeral was mobbed by thousands of fans in the largest funeral attendance for an actor since Rudolph Valentino.

Died: New York City, New York, USA of a heart attack. ... (more)