Jack Carson
Known For: Acting
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: October 27, 1910
Day of Death: January 2, 1963 (52 years old)
Place of Birth: Carman, Manitoba, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia John Elmer "Jack" Carson (October 27, 1910 – January 2, 1963) was a Canadian-born, American film actor, with a film career spanning the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Though he was primarily used in supporting roles for comic relief, his work in films such as Mildred Pierce (1945) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) displayed his mastery of "straight" dramatic actor roles as well. He worked for RKO and MGM (cast opposite Myrna Loy and William Powell in Love Crazy), but most of his memorable work was for Warner Bros. His trademark character was the wisecracking know-it-all, typically and inevitably undone by his own smug cockiness. Carson initially landed bit roles at RKO Radio Pictures in films such as Bringing Up Baby (1938), starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn. An early standout role for Carson was as a mock-drunk undercover G-Man opposite Richard Cromwell in Universal Pictures's anti-Nazi action drama entitled Enemy Agent. This led to contract-player status with Warner Brothers shortly thereafter. While there, he was teamed with Dennis Morgan in a number of films, supposedly to compete with Paramount's popular Bing Crosby - Bob Hope Road to … pictures. Most of his work at Warner Brothers was limited to light comedy work with Morgan, and later Doris Day (who in her autobiography would credit Carson as one of her early Hollywood mentors). Critics generally agree that Carson's best work was in Mildred Pierce (1945), where he played the perpetually scheming Wally Fay opposite Joan Crawford in the title role. Also in 1945, he played the role of Harold Pierson, the second husband of Louise Randall, played by Rosalind Russell, in Roughly Speaking. Another role which won accolades for him was as publicist Matt Libby in A Star is Born (1954). One of his last film roles was as the older brother "Gooper" in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958). His TV appearances, extending into the early 1960s, included The Martha Raye Show, The Guy Mitchell Show, and The Polly Bergen Show in 1957; Alcoa Theatre and Bonanza (Season 1, Ep.9: "Mr. Henry Comstock") in 1959; Thriller ("The Big Blackout") in 1960; and The Twilight Zone (Season 2, Ep. 14: "The Whole Truth") in 1961. On February 8, 1960, Carson received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the television and radio industry. The television star is located at 1560 Vine Street, the radio star is at 6361 Hollywood Boulevard. In 1983, after his death, Jack Carson was inducted into the Wisconsin Performing Artists Hall of Fame along with his film pal, Dennis Morgan, who was also from Wisconsin.
1988
1984
1983
1962
1961
1960
1958
1957
1956
1955
1954
1953
1951
1950
1949
1948
1947
1946
1945
1944
1943
1942
1941
1940
Actor Police Lt. Pat O'Farrell
Girl in 313
Actor Agent Ross Waring
Queen of the Mob
Actor Frederick Harper
Lucky Partners
Actor Mate
Typhoon
Actor Policeman
Love Thy Neighbor
Actor Gabby Cross
Shooting High
Actor Sullivan
Alias the Deacon
Actor George Mattison
Parole Fixer
Actor Joe
I Take This Woman
Actor Ralph
Enemy Agent
Actor Narration - Prologue (voice)
City of Chance
Actor Policeman Tom Garrity
Sandy Gets Her Man
1939
1938
Actor Circus Roustabout (uncredited)
Bringing Up Baby
Actor Connors
Carefree
Actor Emil Beatty
Having Wonderful Time
Actor Red Jenks
The Saint in New York
Actor "Candid" Perry
This Marriage Business
Actor Henchman Johnny
Law of the Underworld
Actor Rollercoaster Ride Attendant (uncredited)
Maid's Night Out
Actor Rochet
Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
Actor Warren Miles
Go Chase Yourself
Actor Dickson
Crashing Hollywood
Actor Shallen
Night Spot
Actor Plainclothes Policeman
Condemned Women
Actor Detective Lieutenant
Everybody's Doing It
Actor Waiter Captain
Vivacious Lady
1937
Actor
A Rented Riot
Actor Mr. Milbanks
Stage Door
Actor Tom Potts
Stand-In
Actor Hodges
Too Many Wives
Actor Ransome (uncredited)
She's Got Everything
Actor Coach Woodford
Quick Money
Actor Dave Hanlon
High Flyers
Actor Cop
On Again—Off Again
Actor Taxicab Driver
Harris in the Spring
Actor Attendant in First Gas Station
You Only Live Once
Actor Assistant Director
Music for Madame