John Arthur Kennedy (February 17, 1914 â€" January 5, 1990) was an
American stage and film actor known for his versatility in supporting
film roles and his ability to create "an exceptional honesty and
naturalness on stage", especially in the original casts of Arthur
Miller plays on Broadway. He won the 1949 Tony Award for Best Featured
Actor in a Play for Miller's Death of a Salesman. He also won the
Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for the 1955 film Trial, and
was a five-time Academy Award nominee.Kennedy was born on February 17,
1914, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Helen (née Thompson)
and John Timothy "J.T." Kennedy, a dentist. He attended South High
School, Worcester and Worcester Academy. He studied drama at the
Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduating with a B.A. in 1934.Kennedy moved
to New York City and, billed as John Kennedy, joined the Group
Theatre. He then toured with a classical repertory company. In
September 1937, he made his Broadway debut as Bushy in Maurice Evans'
Richard II at the St. James Theatre. In 1939 he played Sir Richard
Vernon in Evans' Henry IV, Part 1.Kennedy made his entry into films
when he was discovered by James Cagney. His first film role was of
Cagney's younger brother in City for Conquest in 1940. He was equally
adept as hero or villain, and was noted for his mastery of complex,
multifaceted roles. He appeared in many Western films and police
dramas.
American stage and film actor known for his versatility in supporting
film roles and his ability to create "an exceptional honesty and
naturalness on stage", especially in the original casts of Arthur
Miller plays on Broadway. He won the 1949 Tony Award for Best Featured
Actor in a Play for Miller's Death of a Salesman. He also won the
Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for the 1955 film Trial, and
was a five-time Academy Award nominee.Kennedy was born on February 17,
1914, in Worcester, Massachusetts, the son of Helen (née Thompson)
and John Timothy "J.T." Kennedy, a dentist. He attended South High
School, Worcester and Worcester Academy. He studied drama at the
Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, graduating with a B.A. in 1934.Kennedy moved
to New York City and, billed as John Kennedy, joined the Group
Theatre. He then toured with a classical repertory company. In
September 1937, he made his Broadway debut as Bushy in Maurice Evans'
Richard II at the St. James Theatre. In 1939 he played Sir Richard
Vernon in Evans' Henry IV, Part 1.Kennedy made his entry into films
when he was discovered by James Cagney. His first film role was of
Cagney's younger brother in City for Conquest in 1940. He was equally
adept as hero or villain, and was noted for his mastery of complex,
multifaceted roles. He appeared in many Western films and police
dramas.
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