James Brown

James Brown

Deceased · Born: Mar 22, 1920 · Died: Apr 11, 1992

Personal Details

BornMar 22, 1920 Desdemona, Texas, USA
Spouse
  • Betty Faye Miller

    ( Mar 1, 1992 to Apr 11, 1992 )
  • Diane Smale

    ( Jun 1, 1973 to Feb 27, 1989 )
  • Betty Wallace Engle

    ( Oct 3, 1949 to Dec 7, 2025 )
  • Verna Margaret Knopf

    ( Mar 1, 1942 to Dec 7, 2025 )

Biography

James Brown's Early Life and Education

Born on March 22, 1920, in the small town of Desdemona, Eastland County, Texas, James Brown's early life was marked by a strong foundation in education. He attended The Desdemona School, a institution that was built in 1922 and offered education from grades 1-12. Brown's academic journey at The Desdemona School laid the groundwork for his future endeavors.

Athletic Prowess and Early Career

Before pursuing a career in acting, Brown was a tennis pro and a very athletic individual. His athletic prowess led him to enter the world of filmmaking in 1941. Brown's early career in Hollywood was marked by a series of rugged productions, including Wake Island (1942),Air Force (1943),Objective, Burma! (1945),and Sands of Iwo Jima (1949).

Diverse Roles and Television Career

Brown's acting career spanned over three decades, during which he appeared in a wide range of films and television shows. Some of his notable roles include Going My Way (1944),The Pride of St. Louis (1952),Flight Nurse (1953),and The Rounders (1966). Brown also had a successful television career, starring as "Lt. Rip Masters" on the popular TV series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin (1954-1958).

Later Life and Career

After retiring from acting in the late 1960s, Brown managed his successful body-building equipment concern and later became the head of customer relations at Faberge, a cosmetics firm. When Faberge's filmmaking division, Brut Productions, released the comedy Whiffs (1975),the producers persuaded Brown to return to acting in a supporting role.

Personal Life and Passing

James Brown passed away in 1992 after a long battle with lung cancer. His life was marked by a diverse range of achievements, from his early days as a tennis pro to his successful career in acting and his later endeavors in business.

Career

1991
1981
Miracle on Ice
Miracle on Ice as Reporter #1
1979
The Swap
The Swap as Lt. Benson
The Rebels
The Rebels as Masters
1975
Whiffs
Whiffs as State Trooper
Adiós Amigo
Adiós Amigo as Sheriff
Mean Johnny Barrows
Mean Johnny Barrows as Police Sergeant
1971
Bearcats!
Bearcats! as Sheriff Lynch
1968
Targets
Targets as Robert Thompson Sr.
1965
Space Probe Taurus
Space Probe Taurus as Col. Hank Stevens
Black Spurs
Black Spurs as Sheriff
Town Tamer
Town Tamer as Davis
1963
The Ceremony
The Ceremony as Gendarme
Irma la Douce
Irma la Douce as Texan Customer
1961
20,000 Eyes
20,000 Eyes as Jerry Manning
Wings of Chance
Wings of Chance as Steve Kirby
Police Dog Story
Police Dog Story as Norm Edwards
Gun Street
Gun Street as Sheriff Chuck Morton
Gun Fight
Gun Fight as Wayne Santley
1959
Inside the Mafia
Inside the Mafia as Capt. Doug Blair
Disneyland
Disneyland as Andy Clinton
1958
The Challenge of Rin Tin Tin
The Challenge of Rin Tin Tin as Lt. Ripley 'Rip' Masters
1954
A Star Is Born
A Star Is Born as Glenn Williams
1953
The Man Behind the Gun
The Man Behind the Gun as Lt. Catliff (uncredited)
Flight Nurse
Flight Nurse as Flight Engineer
Springfield Rifle
Springfield Rifle as Pvt. Ferguson (uncredited)
1951
The Sea Hornet
The Sea Hornet as Pete Hunter
Missing Women
Missing Women as Sgt. Mike Pernell
The Wild Blue Yonder
The Wild Blue Yonder as Sgt. Pop Davis
1950
Montana
Montana as Tex Coyne
Chain Lightning
Chain Lightning as Maj. Hinkle
Sands of Iwo Jima
Sands of Iwo Jima as PFC Charlie Bass
Between Midnight and Dawn
Between Midnight and Dawn as Officer Haynes (uncredited)
1949
Yes Sir, That's My Baby
Yes Sir, That's My Baby as Tony Cresnovitch
Brimstone
Brimstone as Bud Courteen
1948
1947
The Big Fix
The Big Fix as Ken Williams
The Fabulous Texan
The Fabulous Texan as Shep Clayton
1946
1945
Objective, Burma!
Objective, Burma! as SSgt. Treacy
Going My Way
Going My Way as Ted Haines Jr.
1943
Young and Willing
Young and Willing as Tony Dennison
Air Force
Air Force as Pilot Tex Rader
Corvette K-225
Corvette K-225 as Lt. Paul Cartwright
1942
The Forest Rangers
The Forest Rangers as George Tracy
Wake Island
Wake Island as Wounded Marine (uncredited)