1910-10-27 ( 114 years old ) in Carman, Manitoba, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Elmer "Jack" Carson (October 27, 1910 – January 2, 1963) was a Canadian-born, American film actor, with a film career spanning the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Though he was primarily used in supporting roles for comic relief, his work in films such as Mildred Pierce (1945) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) displayed his mastery of "straight" dramatic actor roles as well. He worked for RKO and MGM (cast opposite Myrna Loy and William Powell in Love Crazy), but most of his memorable work was for Warner Bros. His trademark character was the wisecracking know-it-all, typically and inevitably undone by his own smug cockiness. Carson initially landed bit roles at RKO Radio Pictures in films such as Bringing Up Baby (1938), starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn.
An early standout role for Carson was as a mock-drunk undercover G-Man opposite Richard Cromwell in Universal Pictures's anti-Nazi action drama entitled Enemy Agent. This led to contract-player status with Warner Brothers shortly thereafter. While there, he was teamed with Dennis Morgan in a number of films, supposedly to compete with Paramount's popular Bing Crosby - Bob Hope Road to … pictures.
Most of his work at Warner Brothers was limited to light comedy work with Morgan, and later Doris Day (who in her autobiography would credit Carson as one of her early Hollywood mentors). Critics generally agree that Carson's best work was in Mildred Pierce (1945), where he played the perpetually scheming Wally Fay opposite Joan Crawford in the title role. Also in 1945, he played the role of Harold Pierson, the second husband of Louise Randall, played by Rosalind Russell, in Roughly Speaking. Another role which won accolades for him was as publicist Matt Libby in A Star is Born (1954). One of his last film roles was as the older brother "Gooper" in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958).
His TV appearances, extending into the early 1960s, included The Martha Raye Show, The Guy Mitchell Show, and The Polly Bergen Show in 1957; Alcoa Theatre and Bonanza (Season 1, Ep.9: "Mr. Henry Comstock") in 1959; Thriller ("The Big Blackout") in 1960; and The Twilight Zone (Season 2, Ep. 14: "The Whole Truth") in 1961.
On February 8, 1960, Carson received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the television and radio industry. The television star is located at 1560 Vine Street, the radio star is at 6361 Hollywood Boulevard.
In 1983, after his death, Jack Carson was inducted into the Wisconsin Performing Artists Hall of Fame along with his film pal, Dennis Morgan, who was also from Wisconsin.
Movies
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
1988-11-22
Going Hollywood: The '30s
1984-01-01
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983-02-25
Sammy, the Way-Out Seal
1962-10-28
The Children of Alda Nuova
1962-06-05
Who Killed Julie Greer?
1961-09-26
The Bramble Bush
1960-02-24
Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!
1958-12-23
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
1958-08-29
The Tarnished Angels
1957-11-21
The Tattered Dress
1957-03-14
Magnificent Roughnecks
1956-07-22
The Bottom of the Bottle
1956-02-01
Arroyo
1955-10-26
Ain't Misbehavin'
1955-06-30
Phffft
1954-11-10
A Star Is Born
1954-10-01
A Star Is Born World Premiere
1954-09-28
Red Garters
1954-02-09
Dangerous When Wet
1953-06-18
The Groom Wore Spurs
1951-03-13
Mister Universe
1951-01-10
Bright Leaf
1950-06-16
The Good Humor Man
1950-03-24
It's a Great Feeling
1949-08-01
My Dream Is Yours
1949-04-15
John Loves Mary
1949-02-04
Two Guys from Texas
1948-08-27
Romance on the High Seas
1948-06-25
April Showers
1948-03-27
Always Together
1947-12-10
So You Want to Be in Pictures
1947-06-07
Love and Learn
1947-05-02
The Time, The Place and The Girl
1946-12-26
Okay for Sound
1946-09-07
Two Guys from Milwaukee
1946-07-26
One More Tomorrow
1946-05-24
Mildred Pierce
1945-10-20
Roughly Speaking
1945-01-31
Breakdowns of 1944
1944-12-31
Hollywood Canteen
1944-12-15
The Doughgirls
1944-11-25
Arsenic and Old Lace
1944-09-01
Make Your Own Bed
1944-06-10
The Road to Victory
1944-05-18
The Shining Future
1944-04-11
Shine on Harvest Moon
1944-03-10
Food and Magic
1943-11-18
Princess O'Rourke
1943-10-23
Thank Your Lucky Stars
1943-09-25
The Hard Way
1943-01-13
Breakdowns of 1942
1942-12-31
Gentleman Jim
1942-11-14
Wings for the Eagle
1942-07-18
Larceny, Inc.
1942-04-24
The Male Animal
1942-03-12
Blues in the Night
1941-11-15
Breakdowns of 1941
1941-11-14
Navy Blues
1941-09-13
The Bride Came C.O.D.
1941-07-12
Love Crazy
1941-05-23
The Strawberry Blonde
1941-02-21
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
1941-01-31
Love Thy Neighbor
1940-12-27
Sandy Gets Her Man
1940-11-08
Lucky Partners
1940-08-02
Queen of the Mob
1940-06-28
Girl in 313
1940-05-31
Typhoon
1940-05-16
Alias the Deacon
1940-05-13
Shooting High
1940-04-25
Enemy Agent
1940-04-18
Parole Fixer
1940-02-02
I Take This Woman
1940-02-02
City of Chance
1940-01-13
Destry Rides Again
1939-11-30
Legion of Lost Flyers
1939-11-02
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
1939-10-19
The Escape
1939-10-05
Fifth Avenue Girl
1939-09-22
The Kid From Texas
1939-04-14
Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
1938-10-07
Carefree
1938-09-02
Having Wonderful Time
1938-07-01
The Saint in New York
1938-05-25
Vivacious Lady
1938-05-13
Law of the Underworld
1938-05-06
Go Chase Yourself
1938-04-22
This Marriage Business
1938-04-08
Condemned Women
1938-03-18
Maid's Night Out
1938-03-03
Night Spot
1938-02-25
Bringing Up Baby
1938-02-18
Everybody's Doing It
1938-01-14
Crashing Hollywood
1938-01-07
She's Got Everything
1937-12-31
Quick Money
1937-12-10
Harris in the Spring
1937-12-03
A Rented Riot
1937-11-07
High Flyers
1937-11-07
Stand-In
1937-10-29
Stage Door
1937-10-08
Music for Madame
1937-10-08
On Again—Off Again
1937-07-09
Too Many Wives
1937-04-09
You Only Live Once
1937-01-23
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