Charles Coburn | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Charles Coburn in 1939 | |
| Born | (1877-06-19)June 19, 1877 Macon, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | August 30, 1961(1961-08-30) (aged 84) New York City, U.S. |
| Resting place | Bonaventure Cemetery, (nearSavannah,Georgia) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1901–1960 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 7 |
Charles Douville Coburn (June 19, 1877 – August 30, 1961) was an American actor and theatrical producer.[1] He was nominated for a Best Supporting ActorAcademy Award ("Oscar") three times – forThe Devil and Miss Jones (1941),The More the Merrier (1943) andThe Green Years (1946) – winning for his performance inThe More the Merrier. He was honored with a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame (inHollywood,Los Angeles, California) in 1960 for his contribution to the film industry.
Coburn was born inMacon, Georgia,[2] the son of Scots-Irish Americans Emma Louise Sprigman and Moses Douville Coburn.[citation needed]
Growing up in Savannah, he started out at age 14 doing odd jobs at the local Savannah Theater, handing out programs, ushering, or being the doorman. By age 17 or 18, he was the theater manager.[2][3] He later became an actor, making his debut onBroadway in 1901. Coburn formed an acting company with actressIvah Wills in 1905.[2][3] They married in 1906. In addition to managing the company, the couple performed frequently on Broadway.[citation needed]
After his wife's death in 1937, Coburn relocated toLos Angeles, California, and began film work. He won anAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a retired millionaire playingCupid inThe More the Merrier in 1943. He was also nominated forThe Devil and Miss Jones in 1941 andThe Green Years in 1946.[citation needed] Other notable film credits includeOf Human Hearts (1938),The Lady Eve (1941),Kings Row (1942),The Constant Nymph (1943),Heaven Can Wait (1943),Wilson (1944),Impact (1949),The Paradine Case (1947),Everybody Does It (1950),Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952),Monkey Business (1952),Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), andJohn Paul Jones (1959). He usually played comedic parts, but his roles inKings Row andWilson showed his dramatic versatility.
For his contributions to motion pictures, in 1960, Coburn was honored with a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame at 6268 Hollywood Boulevard.[4]
Born and raised in Georgia, Coburn was a member of theWhite Citizens' Council, which was part of a network of raciststates' rights groups known as theCitizens' Councils. These groups were white-supremacist, opposed improving the conditions and civil-rights of African-Americans and were known for their opposition to theCivil Rights movement.[5][6]
In the 1940s, Coburn served as vice president of theMotion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals, a group opposed to leftist infiltration and proselytization inHollywood during theCold War.[7]
A staunchRepublican, Coburn supportedThomas Dewey in the1944 United States presidential election.[8]
Coburn marriedIvah Wills on January 29, 1906, inAtlanta, Georgia. They had six children.[9] They were married until her death in 1937.
In the 1940s, Coburn made his home at theNational Arts Club in New York City. His late wife's mother lived there with him.[10]
Coburn married Winifred Natzka on June 30, 1959, inLos Angeles. She was the widow of the New Zealand bass opera singerOscar Natzka. They had one child,[9] a daughter.
Coburn died of a heart attack on August 30, 1961, at age 84 in New York City. He was interred atBonaventure Cemetery.[11]
| Year | Program | Episode/source |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Academy Award | The Devil and Miss Jones[12] |
| 1949 | Duffy's Tavern | Card Games |
| 1950 | Duffy's Tavern | Charles Coburn Plays Santa Claus |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
