Jack Carson

Known for ActingBorn 1910-10-27Died 1963-01-02Carman, 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.Read more

Movies & web series

Bus Stop

Magnificent Roughnecks

Going Hollywood: The '30s

A Rented Riot

The Twilight Zone

The Children of Alda Nuova

The Polly Bergen Show

A Star Is Born World Premiere

Two Guys from Texas

The Wonderful World of Disney

Alias the Deacon

The Honeymoon's Over

Mr. Doodle Kicks Off

On Again—Off Again

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

The George Gobel Show

The Ford Television Theatre

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Bonanza

Mildred Pierce

Arsenic and Old Lace

Ain't Misbehavin'

The Doughgirls

Bringing Up Baby

High Flyers

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

Your Show of Shows

Hollywood Canteen

Love Thy Neighbor

Always Together

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

A Star Is Born

Condemned Women

Next Time I Marry

Gentleman Jim

Too Many Wives

Destry Rides Again

Alcoa Theatre

Screen Director's Playhouse

Larceny, Inc.

What's My Line?

Stage Door

You Only Live Once

Okay for Sound

The Bride Came C.O.D.

Breakdowns of 1941

Shooting High