Tom Ewell (born Samuel Yewell Tompkins, April 29, 1909 â€" September
12, 1994) was an American film, stage and television actor, and
producer. His most successful and arguably most identifiable role was
that of Richard Sherman in The Seven Year Itch, a character he
portrayed in the Broadway production (1952â€"1954) and then reprised
for the 1955 Hollywood film adaptation. He received a Tony Award for
his work in the play and a Golden Globe Award for his performance in
the film. Although Ewell preferred acting on stage, he accepted
several other screen roles in light comedies of the 1950s, most
notably The Girl Can't Help It (1956). He also appears in the film
version of the musical State Fair (1962) as well as in a small number
of additional screen comedies and dramas released between the early
1960s and 1983.Ewell was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, the son of
Martine (née Yewell) and Samuel William Tompkins. His family expected
him to follow in their footsteps as lawyers or whiskey and tobacco
dealers, but Ewell decided to pursue acting instead. He began acting
in summer stock in 1928 with Don Ameche before moving to New York City
in 1931. He enrolled in the Actors Studio.He made his Broadway debut
in 1934 and his film debut in 1940, and for several years, he played
comic supporting roles. His acting career was interrupted during World
War II when he served in the United States Navy.After World War II,
Ewell attracted attention with a strong performance in the film Adam's
Rib (1949), and he began to receive Hollywood roles more frequently.
Ewell continued acting in summer stock through the 1940s: He starred
opposite June Lockhart in Lawrence Riley's biographical play Kin
Hubbard in 1951, the story of one of America's greatest humorists and
cartoonists. With this play, he made his debut as a producer. In 1947,
he won a Clarence Derwent Award for his portrayal of Fred Taylor in
the original Broadway cast of John Loves Mary.
12, 1994) was an American film, stage and television actor, and
producer. His most successful and arguably most identifiable role was
that of Richard Sherman in The Seven Year Itch, a character he
portrayed in the Broadway production (1952â€"1954) and then reprised
for the 1955 Hollywood film adaptation. He received a Tony Award for
his work in the play and a Golden Globe Award for his performance in
the film. Although Ewell preferred acting on stage, he accepted
several other screen roles in light comedies of the 1950s, most
notably The Girl Can't Help It (1956). He also appears in the film
version of the musical State Fair (1962) as well as in a small number
of additional screen comedies and dramas released between the early
1960s and 1983.Ewell was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, the son of
Martine (née Yewell) and Samuel William Tompkins. His family expected
him to follow in their footsteps as lawyers or whiskey and tobacco
dealers, but Ewell decided to pursue acting instead. He began acting
in summer stock in 1928 with Don Ameche before moving to New York City
in 1931. He enrolled in the Actors Studio.He made his Broadway debut
in 1934 and his film debut in 1940, and for several years, he played
comic supporting roles. His acting career was interrupted during World
War II when he served in the United States Navy.After World War II,
Ewell attracted attention with a strong performance in the film Adam's
Rib (1949), and he began to receive Hollywood roles more frequently.
Ewell continued acting in summer stock through the 1940s: He starred
opposite June Lockhart in Lawrence Riley's biographical play Kin
Hubbard in 1951, the story of one of America's greatest humorists and
cartoonists. With this play, he made his debut as a producer. In 1947,
he won a Clarence Derwent Award for his portrayal of Fred Taylor in
the original Broadway cast of John Loves Mary.
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