Jacob Julius Garfinkle, later known as John Garfield, was born on the Lower East Side of New York City to Jewish immigrants Hannah Basia Margolis and David Garfinkle. Following his mother's death in 1920, when he was just seven years old, Garfield was raised by his father, a clothes presser and part-time cantor, who had a profound impact on his life.
Garfield's early life was marked by challenges, and he was sent to a special school for problem children, where he discovered his passion for boxing and drama. He won a scholarship to Maria Ouspenskaya's drama school, which further nurtured his talent.
In 1932, Garfield joined the Civic Repertory Theatre, where he adopted the stage name Jules Garfield and made his Broadway debut in the company's production of Counsellor-at-Law. He later joined the prestigious Group Theatre company, earning critical acclaim for his role in Awake and Sing.
Despite his success, Garfield's career was not without its setbacks. He was reportedly devastated when he was passed over for the lead role in the play Golden Boy, which was written specifically for him. This rejection led him to sign a contract with Warner Brothers, who changed his stage name to John Garfield.
Garfield's early film career was marked by his portrayal of cynical and troubled characters, which became a hallmark of his acting style. He appeared in a string of successful films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, including Four Daughters (1938),for which he received widespread praise.
In his personal life, Garfield was a devoted father to his three children, Katherine (1938-1945),David Garfield (1942-1995),and Julie Garfield (1946-). He was also an active supporter of liberal political and social causes, which ultimately led to his involvement with the Communist Party in the late 1940s.
However, Garfield's involvement with the Communist Party proved to be a significant career setback. Despite testifying before Congress that he was never a member of the party, his ability to secure work in the entertainment industry declined.
Tragically, Garfield's life was cut short when he died suddenly at the age of 39 in the home of a woman friend, while separated from his wife. His funeral was attended by thousands of fans, making it one of the largest funeral attendance for an actor since Rudolph Valentino.
