Jack Warden | |
|---|---|
 Warden in the 1950s | |
| Born | John Warden Lebzelter Jr. (1920-09-18)September 18, 1920 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | July 19, 2006(2006-07-19) (aged 85) New York City, U.S. |
| Other names | Johnny Costello |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1945–2000 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy (1938–1941) United States Army (1942–1946)[1] |
| Service years | 1938–1941 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Staff sergeant |
| Conflicts | |
Jack Warden (bornJohn Warden Lebzelter Jr.;[2][3] September 18, 1920 – July 19, 2006) was an American actor who worked in film and television. He was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor forShampoo (1975) andHeaven Can Wait (1978). He received aBAFTA nomination forShampoo, and won aPrimetime Emmy Award for his performance inBrian's Song (1971).
Warden was born inNewark, New Jersey,[4] the son of Laura M. (née Costello) and John Warden Lebzelter, who was an engineer and technician. He was ofPennsylvania Dutch (German) and Irish ancestry.[5] Raised inLouisville, Kentucky, he was expelled from high school for fighting and eventually fought as a professionalboxer under the name Johnny Costello. He fought in 13 bouts as awelterweight, but earned little money.[6]
Warden worked as a nightclub bouncer, tugboat deckhand, and lifeguard, before joining theUnited States Navy in 1938. He was stationed for three years in China with theYangtze Patrol.[6]
Warden joined theUnited States Merchant Marine in 1941, but he quickly tired of the long convoy runs.
In 1942, Warden moved to theUnited States Army, where he served as a paratrooper in the501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, with the101st Airborne Division inWorld War II.
In 1944, on the eve of theD-Day invasion (in which many of his friends died), Warden, then a staff sergeant, shattered his leg when he landed in a tree during a night-time practice jump in England. He spent almost eight months in the hospital recuperating, during which time he read aClifford Odets play and decided to become an actor. Notably, Warden later portrayed a paratrooper from the 101st's rivals—the82nd Airborne Division—inThat Kind of Woman.[7][8]
After leaving the army, Warden moved to New York City and studied acting on theG.I. Bill.
Warden joined the company of the Theatre '47 of Dallas and moved there and performed on stage there for five years. In 1948, he made histelevision debut on theanthology seriesThe Philco Television Playhouse and also appeared on the seriesStudio One. In 1965 he played the Wild West photographer Dan Delaney in S8 E20 of Wagon Train "The Mary Lee McIntosh Story" opposite Bethel Leslie in the title role. His first film roles were uncredited bit parts in the 1950 filmsThe Asphalt Jungle andSunset Boulevard, and he was also in the 1951 filmYou're in the Navy Now, which also featured the screen debuts ofLee Marvin andCharles Bronson.[4]Warden appeared in his first credited film role in 1951 inThe Man with My Face.
From 1952 to 1955, Warden appeared in the television seriesMister Peepers withWally Cox. In 1953, he was cast as a sympathetic corporal inFrom Here to Eternity. Warden's breakthrough film role was Juror No. 7, a salesman who wants a quick decision in a murder case, in12 Angry Men.
Warden guest-starred in manytelevision series over the years, such asMarilyn Maxwell'sABC drama series,Bus Stop, and onDavid Janssen's ABC drama,The Fugitive. He received aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance asChicago Bears coachGeorge Halas in thetelevision movie,Brian's Song, and was twice nominated for his starring role in the 1980s comedy/drama seriesCrazy Like a Fox.
Warden was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor twice: for his performances inShampoo andHeaven Can Wait. He also had notable roles inBye Bye Braverman,The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing,All the President's Men,The White Buffalo,...And Justice for All,Being There,Used Cars (in which he played dual roles),The Verdict,Problem Child andits sequel, as well asWhile You Were Sleeping,Guilty as Sin and theNorm Macdonald comedyDirty Work.[7] His final film wasThe Replacements in 2000, oppositeGene Hackman andKeanu Reeves.
Warden married French actress Vanda Dupre on October 10, 1958. They had one son, Christopher. Although theyseparated in the late 1970s, the couple never legallydivorced.[9]
Warden's health declined in his later years, which resulted in hisretirement from acting in 2000. He lived for the rest of his life inManhattan,New York City, with his girlfriend, Marucha Hinds.
Warden died of heart and kidney failure in a New York City hospital on July 19, 2006, at the age of 85.[10]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | The Asphalt Jungle | Bit Role | Uncredited |
| Sunset Boulevard | Party Guest | ||
| 1951 | You're in the Navy Now | Tommy Morse | |
| The Frogmen | Crew Member | ||
| The Man with My Face | Walt Davis | ||
| 1952 | Red Ball Express | Undetermined Role | Uncredited |
| 1953 | From Here to Eternity | Corporal Buckley | |
| 1957 | Edge of the City | Charles Malik | Alternate title:A Man Is Ten Feet Tall |
| The Bachelor Party | Eddie Watkins, the Bachelor | ||
| 12 Angry Men | Juror #7 | ||
| 1958 | Darby's Rangers | Master Sergeant Saul Rosen | |
| Run Silent, Run Deep | Yeoman 1st Class "Kraut" Mueller | ||
| 1959 | The Sound and the Fury | Ben Compson | |
| That Kind of Woman | George Kelly | ||
| 1960 | Wake Me When It's Over | Dave "Doc" Farrington | |
| 1961 | The Lawbreakers | Captain/Acting Police Commissioner Matthew Gower | Film adaptation ofThe Asphalt Jungle television episode "The Lady and the Lawyer" |
| 1962 | Escape from Zahrain | Huston | |
| 1963 | Donovan's Reef | Doctor William Dedham | |
| 1964 | The Thin Red Line | First Sergeant Welsh | |
| 1966 | Blindfold | General Prat | |
| 1968 | Bye Bye Braverman | Barnet Weinstein | |
| 1971 | The Sporting Club | Earl Olive | |
| Summertree | Herb | ||
| Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? | Dr. Solomon F. Moses | ||
| Welcome to the Club | General Strapp | ||
| 1973 | The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing | Dawes | |
| 1974 | Billy Two Hats | Sheriff Henry Gifford | |
| The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz | Max | ||
| 1975 | Shampoo | Lester Karpf | Nominated –Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated –BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role |
| 1976 | All the President's Men | Harry M. Rosenfeld | |
| 1977 | Raid on Entebbe | Lt. Gen. Mordechai Gur | |
| The White Buffalo | Charlie Zane | ||
| 1978 | Heaven Can Wait | Max Corkle | Nominated –Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| Death on the Nile | Doctor Ludwig Bessner | ||
| 1979 | The Champ | Jackie | |
| Dreamer | Harry | ||
| Beyond the Poseidon Adventure | Harold Meredith | ||
| ...And Justice for All | Judge Francis Rayford | ||
| Being There | President "Bobby" of the United States | ||
| 1980 | Used Cars | Roy L. Fuchs, Luke Fuchs | |
| 1981 | The Great Muppet Caper | Mike Tarkanian, the News Editor | |
| Carbon Copy | Nelson Longhurst | ||
| Chu Chu and the Philly Flash | The Commander | ||
| So Fine | Jack Fine | ||
| 1982 | The Verdict | Mickey Morrissey | |
| 1984 | Crackers | Garvey | |
| 1985 | The Aviator | Moravia | |
| Alice in Wonderland | Owl | ||
| 1986 | The Cosmic Eye | Rocko | Voice |
| 1987 | September | Lloyd | |
| 1988 | Dead Solid Perfect | Hubert 'Bad Hair' Wimberly | |
| The Presidio | Sergeant Major Ross Maclure | ||
| 1990 | Everybody Wins | Judge Harry Murdoch | |
| Problem Child | "Big" Ben Healy | ||
| 1991 | Problem Child 2 | ||
| 1992 | Passed Away | Jack Scanlan | |
| Night and the City | Al Grossman | ||
| Toys | Old General Zevo | ||
| 1993 | Guilty as Sin | Moe | |
| 1994 | Bullets Over Broadway | Julian Marx | Nominated – Awards Circuit Community Award for Best Cast Ensemble |
| 1995 | While You Were Sleeping | Saul | |
| Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead | Joe Heff | ||
| Mighty Aphrodite | Tiresias | ||
| 1996 | Ed | Chubb | |
| 1997 | The Island on Bird Street | Boruch | |
| The Volunteers | Richie | ||
| 1998 | Chairman of the Board | Armand McMillan | |
| Bulworth | Eddie Davers | ||
| Dirty Work | 'Pops' McKenna | ||
| 1999 | A Dog of Flanders | Jehan Daas | |
| 2000 | The Replacements | Edward O'Neil |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Tales of Tomorrow | Steve | 1 episode |
| Mister Peepers | Chicago Cabbie | ||
| 1953 | The Campbell Playhouse | ||
| Man Against Crime | Deck Hand | 2 episodes | |
| 1954–1955 | Kraft Television Theatre | Various roles | |
| Studio One | Various roles | 3 episodes | |
| 1955 | Justice | Two roles | "Flight from Fear" and "Save Me Now" |
| 1956 | The Alcoa Hour | Frank Doran | 1 episode |
| Climax! | Lieutenant Ravenna | "Flame-Out in T-6" | |
| 1958–1959 | Playhouse 90 | Various roles | 3 episodes |
| 1959 | Five Fingers | Fitzgerald | "The Moment of Truth" |
| Bonanza | Mike Wilson | "The Paiute War" | |
| 1959–1960 | The Twilight Zone | James A. Corry, Mouth McGarry | "The Lonely", "The Mighty Casey" |
| The Untouchables | Larry Halloran Otto Frick | The George 'Bugs' Moran Story, The Otto Frick Story | |
| 1960 | Outlaws | 2 episodes | |
| 1961 | Route 66 | Adam Darcy | The Clover Throne |
| Checkmate | Farrell | "Between Two Guns" | |
| Bus Stop | Joe Harrison | "Accessory by Consent" | |
| The Asphalt Jungle | Deputy Police Commissioner Matthew Gower | 13 episodes | |
| 1962 | Naked City | Cornelius Daggett | "Face of the Enemy" |
| Naked City | Steve Lollo | "The King of Venus Will Take Care of You" | |
| Naked City | Sam Langen | "The Spectre of the Rose Street Gang" | |
| Target: The Corruptors | Jerry Skala | "The Organizers, Parts 1 and 2" | |
| Tales of Wells Fargo | Brad Axton | "The Traveler" | |
| Route 66 | Sandor Biro | "Feat of Strength" | |
| Going My Way | Carl Wiczinski | "Not Good Enough for Mary" | |
| Wagon Train | Martin Onyx | "The Martin Onyx Story" | |
| 1963 | Route 66 | Major Barbon | "Two Strangers and an Old Enemy" |
| 77 Sunset Strip | Max Eames | "Flight 307" | |
| 1964 | Breaking Point | Carlo Scotti | "No Squares in My Family Circle" |
| The Great Adventure | Latham | 1 episode | |
| Bewitched | Rex Barker | "It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog" | |
| 1965 | The Virginian | John Conway | "Shadows of the Past" |
| Dr. Kildare | Ernie Duffy | 1 episode | |
| 1966 | The Wackiest Ship in the Army | Major Simon Butcher | 29 episodes |
| 1967 | The Fugitive | Alex Patton | "Concrete Evidence" |
| The Invaders | Barney Cahill | 1 episode | |
| 1967–1969 | N.Y.P.D. | Lieutenant Mike Haines | 49 episodes |
| 1971 | The Face of Fear | Lieutenant George Coy | Television film |
| Brian's Song | George Halas | ABC Movie of the Week Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama | |
| 1972 | What's a Nice Girl Like You...? | Lieutenant Burton | ABC Movie of the Week |
| Lieutenant Schuster's Wife | Captain Patrick Lonergan | Television film | |
| 1973 | Wheeler and Murdoch | Sam Wheeler | |
| 1974 | The Godchild | Sergeant Dobbs | |
| 1975 | Journey from Darkness | Fred Hartman | |
| 1976 | Jigsaw John | "Jigsaw" John St. John | 15 episodes |
| 1979–1980 | The Bad News Bears | Morris Buttermaker | 23 episodes |
| 1983 | Hobson's Choice | Henry Horatio Hobson | Television film |
| 1984 | Helen Keller: The Miracle Continues | Mark Twain | |
| 1984–1986 | Crazy Like a Fox | Harrison "Harry" Fox Sr. | 35 episodes Nominated –Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series(1985–1986) |
| 1985 | A.D. | Nerva | Television miniseries |
| 1987 | Hoover vs. the Kennedys: The Second Civil War | J. Edgar Hoover | Television film |
| 1988 | Police Story: The Watch Commander | Joe Wilson | |
| 1989 | Knight & Daye | Hank Knight | 1 episode |
| 1990 | Judgment | Claude Fortier | Television film |
| 1995 | Problem Child 3: Junior in Love | Big Ben | |
| 1997 | Ink | Timothy Logan | 1 episode |
| 1999 | The Norm Show | Harry |
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Shampoo | Nominated | [11] |
| 1978 | Heaven Can Wait | Nominated | [12] | ||
| 1994 | Awards Circuit Community Awards | Best Cast Ensemble | Bullets Over Broadway | Nominated | |
| 1975 | British Academy Film Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role | Shampoo | Nominated | [13] |
| 1972 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama | Brian's Song | Won | [14] |
| 1985 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series | Crazy Like a Fox | Nominated | ||
| 1986 | Nominated |
