Person Biography:
Arthur Kennedy was a renowned American actor, born John Arthur Kennedy on February 17, 1914, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He studied drama at the Carnegie Institute of Technology and began his professional career with the Globe Theatre Company, touring the Midwest and performing in Broadway productions.
Kennedy made his Broadway debut in "Everywhere I Roam" in 1938 and went on to appear in several notable productions, including "Life and Death of an American" and "An International Incident". He married Mary Cheffrey in 1938, and the couple moved to Los Angeles in 1938.
In Hollywood, Kennedy was discovered by James Cagney, who cast him in the film "City for Conquest" (1940). He signed a contract with Warner Bros. and appeared in several films, including "High Sierra" (1941),"They Died with Their Boots On" (1941),and "Air Force" (1943).
Kennedy's career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the military. After the war, he returned to the stage, gaining a reputation as an actor's actor in productions such as "All My Sons" and "The Crucible".
In film, Kennedy became known for his supporting roles in major productions, including "Boomerang!" (1947),"Champion" (1949),"The Glass Menagerie" (1950),and "Bright Victory" (1951). He won his first and only Best Actor nomination for "Bright Victory" and went on to receive four Best Supporting Actor nominations.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Kennedy continued to work in film and television, appearing in notable productions such as "Rancho Notorious" (1951),"Bend of the River" (1952),"The Desperate Hours" (1955),"Elmer Gantry" (1960),and "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962).
Kennedy returned to Broadway frequently in the 1950s and 1960s, headlining the 1952 play "See the Jaguar" and replacing Anthony Quinn in the 1962 production of "Becket". He retired from acting in the mid-1980s and passed away in 1990 at the age of 75 due to a brain tumor.
