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John Garfield Biography

Birth Name:John Garfield

Birth Place:New York City, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

  • A victim of an unstable childhood, he would eventually become the leader of a neighborhood gang in the Bronx and be forcibly transferred to a school for 'difficult children'
  • Quote: "Screen acting is my business, but I get my kicks from Broadway․"
  • After being offered a spot to train with the American Laboratory Theater and later the Civic Repertory Theater, he would eventually go on to make his Broadway debut in 1932
  • Eventually signed with Warner Brothers Studios and would go on to star in numerous big budget Hollywood features including "Four Daughters", a role that would land him an Oscar for best supporting actor
  • Blacklisted in the late 1940s for refusing to name names of supposed Communists in Hollywood and found work scarce until his death
  • Comforted Sidney Poitier on the actor's first-ever plane ride by telling him to cover his eyes with a handkerchief

Awards

  • 1938NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
  • 1938NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
  • 1939Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
  • 1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
  • 1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
  • 1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
  • 1944Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
  • 1945Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
  • 1946Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
  • 1947NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1947Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
  • 1947Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
  • 1948Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1948Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
  • 1949Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
  • 1950Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner