Born on October 1, 1921, in White Plains, New York, gruff veteran character actor James Whitmore earned early and widespread respect with his award-winning dramatic capabilities on Broadway and in films. He would later conquer TV with the same trophy-winning results. The son of James Allen Whitmore and Florence Crane, he was educated at Connecticut's Choate School after receiving a football scholarship. He later earned his BA from Yale University in 1944 before serving with the Marines in World War II. Following his honorable discharge he prepared for the stage under the G.I. bill at the American Theatre Wing, where he met first wife Nancy Mygatt. They married in 1947 and went on to have three sons together -- Steve, Dan and actor/director 'James Whitmore Jr.' , whom he married broaching age 80 in 2001. Whitmore died of lung cancer on February 6, 2009, after having been diagnosed in mid-November 2008.
Sometimes people confuse Whitmore and Spencer Tracy. The two sometimes look as if they could have been brothers.
Youngest of four children, his father was an Executive Secretary for a local Park Commission in White Plains, NY.
Earned a football scholarship at Yale University but extensive knee injuries led him to give the sport up.
First job in the entertainment field was as a radio director for the Yale University station.
Met and married first wife Nancy Mygatt while studying at the American Theatre Wing. She was their press agent at the time.
Well known for his role as Capt. Benteen in "The Twilight Zone" {On Thursday We Leave for Home (#4.16)} , considered by many fans to be the best hour-long entry in the shows history.
Is a member of Yale Universitys exclusive Skull & Bones club, an undergraduate secret society famous for the post-graduation accomplishments of its members. Other living members include President George W. Bush and his father, former President George Bush , Sen. John Kerry and Pulitzer-Prize winning historian David McCullough. Deceased members include President William Howard Taft, political commentator William F. Buckley and President Bushs own grandfather, Prescott Bush , a U.S. Senator and partner in the Wall St. white shoe brokerage firm of Brown Bros., Harriman.
Served in the US Marine Corps during World War Two.
Grandfather of James Whitmore III.
In the early 1950s Whitmore conducted an acting workshop in Hollywood; one of his pupils was a struggling young actor, then unknown, James Dean. Whitmore helped Dean get some jobs in LA but encouraged Dean to go to New York to audition for the Actors Studio. Dean was one of the few accepted the year he auditioned.
Is married to Noreen Nash , mother of Lee Siegel and grandmother of actor Sebastian Siegel.
Went to the Choate School Wallingford, Connecticult on a football scholarship. Was a pre-law collegiate at Yale University but quit playing football after suffering two knee injuries. While at Yale he set up the campus radio station and starred in a nightly sports news show called "Jim Whitmore Speaks".
Performed his one-man stage show on and off for thirty years (1970-2000). He had nearly eight hours of various comments about the topics of the day memorized, changing the show each time he performed it. His costume is now housed at the Smithsonian Institute.
Father, with Nancy Mygatt, of sons James Whitmore Jr. , Steve Whitmore and Dan Whitmore.
He is survived by eight grandchildren.
Is, as of 2015, the only actor ever nominated for an Oscar for a one man show for Give Em Hell Harry.
He appeared in "The Twilight Zone" while his son James Whitmore Jr. appeared in "The Twilight Zone" .
(June 2006) Appearing at the Peterborough Players Theater in Peterborough, New Hampshire in the play "Tuesdays With Morrie" with his son, James Whitmore Jr..
(August 2008) Reprising his role as the Stage Manager in "Our Town" at the Peterborough Players in Peterborough, New Hampshire.
Has twice played a character who was incarcerated but didnt want to go home for fear of change, in "The Twilight Zone" {On Thursday We Leave for Home (#4.16)} he was marooned on a planet and was the only colonist who wanted to stay because going back to Earth would mean he would lose his authority. In The Shawshank Redemption he didnt want to be released from prison.
Years after losing the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor to Dean Jagger in Twelve OClock High , he appeared twice on the television series based on that film: "12 OClock High" .
Twice played a in incarcerated character who feared release: "The Twilight Zone" {On Thursday We Leave for Home (#4.16)} and The Shawshank Redemption .
[about his preference for the theater] The stage is human beings sharing,something together -- flesh and blood together -- and the others are,mechanical and shadows on the screen. .
