← Back
James Whitmore

James Whitmore

Known for: Acting

Born 01/10/1921
Died 2009-02-06
Place of birth White Plains, New York, USA

James Allen Whitmore Jr. (October 1, 1921 – February 6, 2009) was an American film, theatre, and television actor. During his career, Whitmore won three of the four EGOT honors; - a Tony, a Grammy, and an Emmy. Whitmore also won a Golden Globe and was nominated for two Academy Awards. Following World War II, Whitmore appeared on Broadway in the role of the sergeant in Command Decision. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer gave Whitmore a contract, but his role in the film adaptation was played by Van Johnson. His first major picture for MGM was Battleground, in a role that was turned down by Spencer Tracy, to whom Whitmore bore a noted physical resemblance. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this role, and won the Golden Globe Award as Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role. Other major films included Angels in the Outfield, The Asphalt Jungle, The Next Voice You Hear, Above and Beyond, Kiss Me, Kate, Them!, Oklahoma!, Black Like Me, Guns of the Magnificent Seven, Tora! Tora! Tora!, and Give 'em Hell, Harry!, a one-man show for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of former U.S. President Harry S Truman. In the film Tora! Tora! Tora!, he played Admiral William F. "Bull" Halsey. Whitmore appeared during the 1950s on many television anthology series. He was cast as Father Emil Kapaun in the 1955 episode "The Good Thief" in the ABC religion anthology series Crossroads. Other roles followed on Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theater, Lux Video Theatre, Kraft Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Schlitz Playhouse, Matinee Theatre, and the Ford Television Theatre. In 1958, he carried the lead in "The Gabe Carswell Story" of NBC's Wagon Train, with Ward Bond. Whitmore has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6611 Hollywood Boulevard. The ceremony was held on February 8, 1960.

Filmography

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Series ★ 7,6

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Milton

2000

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Series ★ 7,5

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Self

1962

The Shawshank Redemption Film ★ 8,7

The Shawshank Redemption

Brooks Hatlen

1994

The Mike Douglas Show Series ★ 5,8

The Mike Douglas Show

Self

1961

Bonanza Series ★ 7,5

Bonanza

John Postley

1959

Golden Globe Awards Series ★ 7,0

Golden Globe Awards

Self - Nominated

1944

The Practice Series ★ 7,7

The Practice

Raymond Oz

1997

The Twilight Zone Series ★ 8,5

The Twilight Zone

1959

The Virginian Series ★ 6,5

The Virginian

Capt. Piper Pritican

1962

The Virginian Series ★ 6,5

The Virginian

Carl Kabe

1962

The Virginian Series ★ 6,5

The Virginian

Marshal Krug

1962

The Virginian Series ★ 6,5

The Virginian

Ezra Hollis

1962

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre Series ★ 6,2

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

Jeb

1956

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre Series ★ 6,2

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

Ben Kincaid

1956

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre Series ★ 6,2

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

Joel Begley

1956

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre Series ★ 6,2

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

Jonas - Blacksmith

1956

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre Series ★ 6,2

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

Narrator (voice)

1956

Dr. Kildare Series ★ 5,7

Dr. Kildare

Henry Clay Kincaid

1961

Rawhide Series ★ 7,2

Rawhide

Sgt. Joe Duclos

1959

Rawhide Series ★ 7,2

Rawhide

Colonel John Macklin

1959

Climax! Series ★ 3,8

Climax!

Stash Prohaska

1954

Climax! Series ★ 3,8

Climax!

Tom Miller

1954

The Big Valley Series ★ 6,2

The Big Valley

Handy

1965

The Big Valley Series ★ 6,2

The Big Valley

Joshua Hawks

1965

The Big Valley Series ★ 6,2

The Big Valley

Marshal Seth Campbell

1965

The Big Valley Series ★ 6,2

The Big Valley

Tom Wills

1965

Burke's Law Series ★ 6,3

Burke's Law

Joe Piante

1963

Gunsmoke Series ★ 6,7

Gunsmoke

Amos Campbell

1955

Gunsmoke Series ★ 6,7

Gunsmoke

Jim Forbes

1955

Gunsmoke Series ★ 6,7

Gunsmoke

Timothy Fitzpatrick

1955

Ben Casey Series ★ 5,9

Ben Casey

1961

Studio One Series ★ 5,4

Studio One

Sam

1948

Combat! Series ★ 7,8

Combat!

Hertzbrun

1962

Route 66 Series ★ 6,7

Route 66

1960

The Invaders Series ★ 6,9

The Invaders

Harry Swain

1967

Run for Your Life Series ★ 7,1

Run for Your Life

Chief Jim Holland

1965

American Playhouse Series ★ 6,6

American Playhouse

Joe Keller

1982

The Name of the Game Series ★ 7,0

The Name of the Game

Harry Roarke

1968

Kraft Suspense Theatre Series ★ 6,5

Kraft Suspense Theatre

J. Marvin Bean

1963

Kraft Suspense Theatre Series ★ 6,5

Kraft Suspense Theatre

Major Will Stanton

1963

Dinah! Series ★ 7,0

Dinah!

Self

1974

Tarzan Series ★ 6,9

Tarzan

1966

Planet of the Apes Film ★ 7,7

Planet of the Apes

President of the Assembly

1968

Kraft Television Theatre Series ★ 7,8

Kraft Television Theatre

1947

12 O'Clock High Series ★ 7,2

12 O'Clock High

1964

The Loner Series ★ 6,3

The Loner

1965

The Loner Series ★ 6,3

The Loner

Doc Fritchman

1965

The Ray Bradbury Theater Series ★ 6,9

The Ray Bradbury Theater

Craig Bennett Stiles

1985

The 20th Century Fox Hour Series ★ 6,0

The 20th Century Fox Hour

1955

The Detectives Series ★ 6,7

The Detectives

1959

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse Series ★ 6,3

Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse

1958

The United States Steel Hour Series ★ 6,3

The United States Steel Hour

1953

Checkmate Series ★ 4,8

Checkmate

Detective Lt. Dave Harker

1960

Judd, for the Defense Series ★ 7,7

Judd, for the Defense

1967

Arrest and Trial Series ★ 8,3

Arrest and Trial

Martin Burnham

1963

A Minute with Stan Hooper Series ★ 5,3

A Minute with Stan Hooper

Dr. Goldman

2003

Studio 57 Series ★ 7,5

Studio 57

1954

Then Came Bronson Series ★ 5,2

Then Came Bronson

Wilson Ford

1969

The White Shadow Series ★ 7,1

The White Shadow

Jake Reeves

1978

The Relic Film ★ 6,2

The Relic

Dr. Albert Frock

1997

Temperatures Rising Series ★ 7,5

Temperatures Rising

Vincent Campanelli

1972

Tora! Tora! Tora! Film ★ 7,2

Tora! Tora! Tora!

Admiral William F. Halsey

1970

Series ★ 6,7

Lux Video Theatre

Tracy

1950

Series ★ 6,7

Lux Video Theatre

Self

1950

Alcoa Premiere Series ★ 6,0

Alcoa Premiere

1961

Bus Stop Series ★ 10,0

Bus Stop

1961

The Majestic Film ★ 6,8

The Majestic

Stan Keller

2001

Series ★ 7,5

The Greatest Show on Earth

1963

Crossroads Series ★ 6,8

Crossroads

1955

Going My Way Series ★ 5,8

Going My Way

1962

The Monroes Series ★ 6,8

The Monroes

1966

Mister Sterling Series ★ 8,3

Mister Sterling

William Sterling Sr.

2003

Series ★ 6,8

The Chevy Mystery Show

Philip Selby

1960

Shane Series ★ 6,2

Shane

Harry Himber

1966

Custer Series ★ 6,4

Custer

1967

Code Red Series ★ 7,0

Code Red

1981

Series ★ 6,3

Playwrights '56

1955

T.H.E. Cat Series ★ 7,2

T.H.E. Cat

1966

The Danny Thomas Hour Series ★ 6,7

The Danny Thomas Hour

Professor John Woodruff

1967

Panic! Series ★ 8,0

Panic!

1957

Them! Film ★ 6,8

Them!

Sgt. Ben Peterson

1954

The Wonderful World of Disney Series ★ 8,0

The Wonderful World of Disney

1961

Chato's Land Film ★ 6,5

Chato's Land

Joshua Everette

1972

National Geographic Specials Series ★ 7,1

National Geographic Specials

Narrator (voice)

1965

George Burns Comedy Week Series ★ 8,0

George Burns Comedy Week

Ebenezer Scrooge

1985

The Word Series ★ 4,8

The Word

George Wheeler

1978

The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters Series ★ 6,3

The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters

Foxy Smith

1963

The Asphalt Jungle Film ★ 7,5

The Asphalt Jungle

Gus Minissi

1950

Angels in the Outfield Film ★ 7,0

Angels in the Outfield

Angel (voice) (uncredited)

1951

Slattery's People Series ★ 7,0

Slattery's People

1964

Guns of the Magnificent Seven Film ★ 5,4

Guns of the Magnificent Seven

Levi

1969

The Law and Mr. Jones Series ★ 6,4

The Law and Mr. Jones

Abraham Lincoln Jones

1960

Favorite Son Series ★ 4,6

Favorite Son

The President

1988

Oklahoma! Film ★ 6,6

Oklahoma!

Mr. Carnes

1955

For the People Series ★ 6,5

For the People

1965

Cowboy in Africa Series ★ 6,0

Cowboy in Africa

1967

Madigan Film ★ 6,2

Madigan

Chief Inspector Charles Kane

1968

Celebrity Series ★ 6,7

Celebrity

Clifford Casey

1984

Battleground Film ★ 6,7

Battleground

Kinnie

1949

Series ★ 7,0

My Friend Tony

Prof. John Woodruff

1969

Kiss Me Kate Film ★ 6,5

Kiss Me Kate

Slug

1953

Chuka Film ★ 6,3

Chuka

Lou Trent

1967

The Serpent's Egg Film ★ 6,2

The Serpent's Egg

Priester

1977

Battle Cry Film ★ 5,8

Battle Cry

MSgt. Mac

1955

The Last Frontier Film ★ 6,1

The Last Frontier

Gus

1955

The Adventures of Mark Twain Film ★ 6,8

The Adventures of Mark Twain

Mark Twain (voice)

1985

Mark, I Love You Film ★ 8,0

Mark, I Love You

Dwight Hamilton

1980

Waterhole #3 Film ★ 5,9

Waterhole #3

Capt. Shipley

1967

Nuts Film ★ 6,4

Nuts

Judge Stanley Murdoch

1987

The First Deadly Sin Film ★ 5,8

The First Deadly Sin

Dr. Sanford Ferguson

1980

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Series ★ 7,2

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

1951

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Series ★ 7,2

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

Tommy McDermott

1951

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Series ★ 7,2

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

Joe Benson

1951

The Red Badge of Courage Film ★ 6,5

The Red Badge of Courage

Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

1951

The Eddy Duchin Story Film ★ 6,3

The Eddy Duchin Story

Lou Sherwood

1956

The Outriders Film ★ 7,3

The Outriders

Clint Priest

1950

Above and Beyond Film ★ 6,2

Above and Beyond

Maj. William M. Uanna

1953

The Undercover Man Film ★ 6,1

The Undercover Man

George Pappas

1949

The Split Film ★ 6,7

The Split

Herb Sutro

1968

A Ring of Endless Light Film ★ 6,6

A Ring of Endless Light

Grandfather

2002

All the Brothers Were Valiant Film ★ 6,1

All the Brothers Were Valiant

Fetcher

1953

It's a Big Country Film ★ 5,9

It's a Big Country

Mr. Stacey

1951

Old Explorers Film ★ 9,0

Old Explorers

Leinen Roth

1990

Film ★ 8,0

Cole Porter in Hollywood: Too Darn Hot

Self

2003

Who Was That Lady? Film ★ 6,4

Who Was That Lady?

Harry Powell

1960

Swing Vote Film ★ 5,8

Swing Vote

Daniel Morissey

1999

Across the Wide Missouri Film ★ 6,1

Across the Wide Missouri

Old Bill (uncredited)

1951

Where the Red Fern Grows Film ★ 6,9

Where the Red Fern Grows

Grandpa

1974

The Harrad Experiment Film ★ 3,7

The Harrad Experiment

Philip Tenhausen

1973

High Crime Film ★ 6,4

High Crime

Commissioner Aldo Scavino

1973

The Deep Six Film ★ 5,7

The Deep Six

Cmdr. Warren Meredith

1958

Glory! Glory! Film ★ 8,0

Glory! Glory!

Lester Babbitt

1989

Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick Film ★ 7,8

Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick

Self

1995

Arthur Miller: Writer Film ★ 7,1

Arthur Miller: Writer

Self (archive footage)

2017

The Girl Who Had Everything Film ★ 6,2

The Girl Who Had Everything

Charles "Chico" Menlow

1953

The Command Film ★ 6,4

The Command

Sgt. Elliott

1954

The Flying Misfits Film ★ 7,4

The Flying Misfits

Capt. James 'Jim' Gutterman

1976

The Golden Honeymoon Film ★ 6,0

The Golden Honeymoon

Charley Tate

1980

Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone Film ★ 7,0

Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone

John Malone

1950

Series

Tony e il Professore

il professore

The Horror Show Film ★ 3,4

The Horror Show

(archive footage)

1979

Nobody's Perfect Film ★ 6,3

Nobody's Perfect

Capt. Mike Riley

1968

The McConnell Story Film ★ 6,8

The McConnell Story

SSgt. / Maj . / Col. Ty 'Dad' Whitman

1955

Series

Decision

1958

The Balloon Vendor Film ★ 7,0

The Balloon Vendor

Antonio

1974

Because You're Mine Film ★ 6,8

Because You're Mine

Sergeant 'Bat' Batterson

1952

The Challenge Film ★ 7,0

The Challenge

Overman

1970

If Tomorrow Comes Film ★ 7,5

If Tomorrow Comes

Frank Phillips

1971

The Great Diamond Robbery Film ★ 10,0

The Great Diamond Robbery

Mr. Remlick, Lawyer

1954

Film ★ 5,3

The Hoaxters

Narrator (voice)

1952

The Tenderfoot Series

The Tenderfoot

Captain Ewell

1964

Man Belongs to the Earth Film ★ 9,0

Man Belongs to the Earth

Narrator

1974

Sky High Film ★ 4,0

Sky High

Gus Johnson

1990

The Canterville Ghost Film ★ 7,0

The Canterville Ghost

Hyram B. Otis

1974

The Next Voice You Hear... Film ★ 5,8

The Next Voice You Hear...

Joe Smith

1950

Shadow in the Sky Film ★ 7,0

Shadow in the Sky

Lou Hopke

1952

Black Like Me Film ★ 6,2

Black Like Me

John Finley Horton

1964

Icarus Montgolfier Wright Film ★ 6,4

Icarus Montgolfier Wright

1962

Rage! Film ★ 8,0

Rage!

Borski

1980

Crime in the Streets Film ★ 6,2

Crime in the Streets

Ben Wagner

1956

I Will Fight No More Forever Film ★ 6,9

I Will Fight No More Forever

General Oliver O. Howard

1985

Face of Fire Film ★ 5,8

Face of Fire

Monk Johnson

1959

Love Those Trains Film ★ 8,0

Love Those Trains

Narrator

1984

The Tenderfoot Film

The Tenderfoot

Captain Ewell

1966

All My Sons Film ★ 9,0

All My Sons

Joe Keller

1987

The Restless Years Film ★ 7,0

The Restless Years

Ed Henderson

1958

Please Believe Me Film ★ 5,1

Please Believe Me

Vincent Maran

1950

The Young Don't Cry Film ★ 7,0

The Young Don't Cry

Rudy Krist

1957

Here's to Life! Film ★ 10,0

Here's to Life!

Gus Corley

2000

The Long Lost Life of Edward Smalley Film ★ 9,0

The Long Lost Life of Edward Smalley

J. Marvin Bean

1963

Bully: An Adventure with Teddy Roosevelt Film ★ 8,0

Bully: An Adventure with Teddy Roosevelt

Teddy Roosevelt

1978

Hail Columbia! Film ★ 7,5

Hail Columbia!

Narrator

1982

Give 'em Hell, Harry! Film ★ 6,7

Give 'em Hell, Harry!

Harry S. Truman

1975

The Klan: A Legacy of Hate in America Film ★ 6,4

The Klan: A Legacy of Hate in America

Narrator

1982

Film

Meet Mr. Miracle-Gro: The Horace Hagedorn Story

2005