James Whitmore
(1921 -     )
Biography from Katz's Film Encyclopedia

Born in White Plains, NY. Member of the Yale Drama School Players and among the founders of the Yale radio station. After WW II service with the Marines, he appeared in stock and made his Broadway debut in 1947 as a wisecracking sergeant in Command Decision. In films from 1949 (THE UNDERCOVER MAN), he played key supporting character roles for the most part, typically as a tough but humane individual and was nominated for an Oscar as best supporting actor for his performance in BATTLEGROUND (1949), only his second film. He also played occasional leads, as in THE NEXT VOICE YOU HEAR (1950), THEM! (1954), and BLACK LIKE ME (1964).

Other notable screen credits include THE ASPHALT JUNGLE (1950), ALL THE BROTHERS WERE VALIANT and KISS ME KATE (both 1953), BATTLE CRY and OKLAHOMA! (both 1955), CRIME IN THE STREETS and THE EDDY DUCHIN STORY (both 1956), WATERHOLE #3 (1967), PLANET OF THE APES (1968), TORA! TORA! TORA! (1970), THE FIRST DEADLY SIN (1980), NUTS (1987), THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994), THE RELIC (1997), HERE'S TO LIFE! (2000) and THE MAJESTIC (2001).

In the early 60s he starred in the TV series "The Law and Mr. Jones." He received accolades and a nomination for a best actor Oscar® for his tour-de-force performance as President Truman in the one-man film GIVE 'EM HELL, HARRY! (1975). He gave another strong portrayal of a President in BULLY (1978), as Theodore Roosevelt.

His son, James Whitmore Jr. (b. 1948), is also an actor.

 Nominated for Supporting Actor 1949: BATTLEGROUND
 Nominated for Actor 1975: GIVE 'EM HELL, HARRY!

2 nominations