Born Emmett Evan Heflin Jr. in Walters, OK. A restless youth, he frequently interrupted his university studies for overseas voyages as a merchant seaman and for occasional stage appearances. He made his first appearance on Broadway in 1928. Katharine Hepburn saw him in End of Summer, opposite Ina Claire, and persuaded RKO to cast him as her lover in the film A WOMAN REBELS (1936). In 1939 he won acclaim as her stage co-star in Broadway's The Philadelphia Story. Meanwhile, he continued asserting himself in films as a rugged second lead with a boyish countenance and won the best supporting actor Academy Award for his performance as an alcoholic intellectual in JOHNNY EAGER (1941). He was subsequently promoted to leading man and turned in many fine performances as the star of both dramas and action films, memorably in SHANE (1953) and PATTERNS (1956). He also made some notable stage appearances, including A View From the Bridge and A Case of Libel. Not romantically handsome in the Hollywood mold, he played intelligent, determined, often complex heroes, and in the 1960s character parts. His last role was that of a mad bomber in AIRPORT (1970). His second wife (1942-67) was a former bit player in movies, Frances Neal. He died of a heart attack while swimming in the pool of the Hollywood apartment building in which he lived. In accordance with his will his remains were cremated and scattered over the Pacific Ocean, where he loved to sail and fish.  Supporting Actor 1942: JOHNNY EAGER 1 nomination, 1 Award