James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
02-06-09, 07:29 PM
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James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
Versatile actor James Whitmore dies
Goodbye, Brooks. 
LOS ANGELES – James Whitmore, the many-faceted character actor who delivered strong performances in movies, television and especially the theater with his popular one-man shows about Harry Truman, Will Rogers and Theodore Roosevelt, died Friday, his son said. He was 87.
The Emmy- and Tony-winning actor was diagnosed with lung cancer the week before Thanksgiving and died Friday afternoon at his Malibu home, Steve Whitmore said.
The Emmy- and Tony-winning actor was diagnosed with lung cancer the week before Thanksgiving and died Friday afternoon at his Malibu home, Steve Whitmore said.
02-06-09, 07:46 PM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
This is devastating..another great loss for the film world. R.I.P. James for you WILL be missed! WE LOVE AND REMEMBER YOU FOREVER!!!!
02-06-09, 08:39 PM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
I will always remember him as Kinnie, snapping those ragged bastards together to march by the fresh replacements at the end of 'Battleground'. Which is a truly great film that doesn't get the credit or attention it deserves by many film fans.
And Brooks.
And Brooks.
02-06-09, 10:30 PM
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02-06-09, 10:35 PM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
Sad to hear. The link you provided, OP, gave an interesting biography for Whitmore. I wasn't real familiar with many of his roles before reading it.
02-06-09, 10:52 PM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
02-07-09, 03:22 AM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
Talk about a versatile and underrated actor! A lot of people, sadly, only knew him as the Miracle Gro guy. Fortunately, Shawshank showed a lot of people that Whitmore had a lot of life in him at that point - and several really good performances as well.
For me, I'll remember him best for Them and Shawshank.
R.I.P.
(I knew there was a big one I was forgetting - The Asphalt Jungle)
For me, I'll remember him best for Them and Shawshank.
R.I.P.
(I knew there was a big one I was forgetting - The Asphalt Jungle)
Last edited by B5Erik; 02-07-09 at 03:46 AM.
02-07-09, 08:56 AM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
My earliest memory is seeing Give 'em Hell, Harry broadcast on television. I don't recall the specifics, but I surmise that it must have been PBS since the occasional utterance of "bullshit" wasn't edited out. That factor stood out in my adolescent mind, but Whitmore's performance as Harry Truman really impressed me. After that, I remember seeing Will Rogers' USA, another one man show. Again, I was really impressed, especially at the beginning where he enters the stage as James Whitmore to introduce the show, then he starts transforming into Will Rogers in front of us.
Like many of you, this news has prompted me to look for those particular, favorite roles. I was dismayed to find that Give 'em Hell, Harry is still only available on VHS. Even worse, Will Rogers' USA is only available in audio format!
Well, because of those performances, I recognized him in Kiss Me, Kate which I haven't seen in many years. Surely, that's on DVD, right? Ah, yes, of course. In full-screen only??!!!? Aaarrrgh!
Like many of you, this news has prompted me to look for those particular, favorite roles. I was dismayed to find that Give 'em Hell, Harry is still only available on VHS. Even worse, Will Rogers' USA is only available in audio format!
Well, because of those performances, I recognized him in Kiss Me, Kate which I haven't seen in many years. Surely, that's on DVD, right? Ah, yes, of course. In full-screen only??!!!? Aaarrrgh!
Last edited by RKillgore; 02-07-09 at 08:58 AM.
02-07-09, 09:56 AM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
Them, one of the best of the 50s monster movies and Battleground, one of the best of the B/W war movies I grew up on. Not to mention all the TV shows he was on in the late 50s and early 60s that I watched as a kid. He was a great actor and will be missed. Heres to him
Last edited by arminius; 02-07-09 at 09:58 AM. Reason: fix
02-07-09, 12:54 PM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
Remember his face in numerous parts down the years. An always reliable and instantly recognizable character actor with a long list of impeccable credentials.
R.I.P.
R.I.P.
02-07-09, 08:55 PM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
Back in the 30s, I used to be first in line to see a matinee starring him. My mom and pop would take me, spend about 20 cents total for movie tickets. And then we would go out for a steak & milkshake special across the street. Best steaks for 50 cents!
On a serious note, great actor. I wish I had seen more of his films. Everyone loved him in Shawshank, but a lot people didn't know that he did the voice for Mark Twain in:
On a serious note, great actor. I wish I had seen more of his films. Everyone loved him in Shawshank, but a lot people didn't know that he did the voice for Mark Twain in:
02-07-09, 10:26 PM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
Terrific actor.
Besides Them and a host of other film and TV appearances, one of my favorite Whitmore movies is the obscure little 1950's movie "The Next Voice You Hear."
Besides Them and a host of other film and TV appearances, one of my favorite Whitmore movies is the obscure little 1950's movie "The Next Voice You Hear."
02-08-09, 12:25 AM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
I remember that movie giving me chills watching it on t.v. The movie made you feel like you were going to hear God's voice at any moment.
02-13-09, 01:50 AM
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Re: James Whitmore (1922 - 2009)
I mostly remember Whitmore from his guest appearances on TV Westerns Shows like: GUNSMOKE, RAWHIDE, and WAGON TRAIN.
