Matinee Classics - Broderick Crawford Biography & Filmography

Broderick Crawford ACTOR

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BRODERICK CRAWFORD BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Broderick Crawford was born on December 9th, 1911 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with the birth name William Broderick Crawford, born to parents, Lester Crawford and Helen Broderick. Both of his parents worked in the entertainment industry as vaudeville performers and both his parents even had the chance to appear in a couple films.

He first became involved in acting as a stage performer working with his parents for producer Max Gordon. After vaudeville began to lose its popularity, he decided to enroll in college at Harvard University, but only for three months before dropping out.

His first stage role was in, "Of Mice and Men".   He also worked in radio with the Marx Brothers on an NBC radio comedy called, "Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel". After a number of other roles on Broadway, Crawford decided to relocate to Hollywood and begin pursuing a career in films. His film debut was in, "Woman Chases Man" (1937).

He took a break from acting in the early 40's to join the United States Army Air Corps and served as a sergeant in Britain. Upon his completion of military service, Crawford was cast in the film, "All the King's Men" (1949) which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Actor. As his career progressed he was seen in such films as, "Born Yesterday" (1950) co-starring William Holden and Judy Holiday, "Scandal Sheet" (1952), "Human Desire" (1954), "Between Heaven and Hell" (1956) and "Not as a Stranger" (1955).

Along with his success as a film actor he was also seen regularly on television such as was the case when he was offered the role of 'Chief Dan Matthews' on, "Highway Patrol" (1955) which was highly successful and kept Crawford mainly working on television for the remainder of his career. He was also cast in, "King of Diamonds" (1961-1962). Other television appearances included, "Chips", "Ironside", "Get Smart", "Fantasy Island" and "Burke's Law" among many others. All together, Crawford appeared in 140 motion pictures and television roles throughout his career.

Broderick Crawford passed away at the age of seventy six, on April 26th, 1986 in Rancho Mirage, California after suffering from a number of strokes. Throughout his lifetime, he had married three different wives. His first was, Kay Griffith in 1940 and they had two children before ending their marriage in 1958. He then married, Joan Tabor in 1962 and they remained together until 1967. His final wife was Mary Alice Moore whom he wed in 1973 and they were together until he passed away.

He was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to Motion Pictures and Television.