Arthur Lee Hunnicutt (February 17, 1910 â€" September 26, 1979) was an
American actor known for his portrayal of wise, grizzled, and old
rural characters. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best
Supporting Actor for his performance in The Big Sky (1952).On February
17, 1910, Hunnicutt was born in Gravelly, Arkansas. He attended the
University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State Teachers College but
dropped out when he ran out of money.Hunnicutt gained early acting
experience in stock theatre and entertained in traveling shows. An
article in the September 22, 1940, issue of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle
reported, "There isn't a decent sized medicine show traveling through
Kentucky, Illinois, Georgia, Indiana or Mississippi, nor a stock
company touring those states, which hasn't had the name of Arthur
Hunnicutt on its programs." After eight years of such activity, in
1936 he enrolled in a drama school in Cleveland to study theatrical
techniques for a year.He moved to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts,
where he joined up with a theatre company. Moving to New York City, he
worked in the laundry at the Algonquin Hotel for 17 months before
landing roles in Broadway productions. While touring as the lead actor
in Tobacco Road, he developed the country character he would later be
typecast as throughout his career. Hunnicutt often found himself cast
as a character much older than himself.
American actor known for his portrayal of wise, grizzled, and old
rural characters. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best
Supporting Actor for his performance in The Big Sky (1952).On February
17, 1910, Hunnicutt was born in Gravelly, Arkansas. He attended the
University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State Teachers College but
dropped out when he ran out of money.Hunnicutt gained early acting
experience in stock theatre and entertained in traveling shows. An
article in the September 22, 1940, issue of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle
reported, "There isn't a decent sized medicine show traveling through
Kentucky, Illinois, Georgia, Indiana or Mississippi, nor a stock
company touring those states, which hasn't had the name of Arthur
Hunnicutt on its programs." After eight years of such activity, in
1936 he enrolled in a drama school in Cleveland to study theatrical
techniques for a year.He moved to Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts,
where he joined up with a theatre company. Moving to New York City, he
worked in the laundry at the Algonquin Hotel for 17 months before
landing roles in Broadway productions. While touring as the lead actor
in Tobacco Road, he developed the country character he would later be
typecast as throughout his career. Hunnicutt often found himself cast
as a character much older than himself.
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