JC
Jack Carson
Actor
Died January 2, 1963 (52 years)
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.
Filmography
| 2004 | Behind the Tunes: Looney Tunes Go Hollywood · as Doug Blake |
| 1962 | Sammy, the Way-Out Seal · as Harold Sylvester |
| 1961 | King of the Roaring 20's: The Story of Arnold Rothstein · as Timothy W. 'Big Tim' O'Brien |
| 1960 | The Bramble Bush · as Bert Mosley |
| 1960 | Thriller (TV Series) · as Burt Lewis |
| 1959 | |
| 1959 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) · as Unknown |
| 1958 | Cat on a Hot Tin Roof · as Gooper |
| 1958 | Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys! · as Capt. Hoxie |
| 1957 | The Tarnished Angels · as Jiggs |
| 1957 | Date with the Angels (TV Series) · as Herbie |
| 1956 | Zane Grey Theater (TV Series) · as Sundown Smith |
| 1955 | Ain't Misbehavin' · as Harold North |
| 1955 | The Bob Cummings Show (TV Series) · as Jack Carson |
| 1955 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) · as Frankie Fane |
| 1954 | A Star Is Born · as Matt Libby |
| 1954 | Phffft · as Charlie Nelson |
| 1954 | Red Garters · as Jason Carberry |
| 1954 | Climax! (TV Series) · as Eugene Skinner |
| 1954 | Disneyland (TV Series) · as Harold Sylvester |
| 1953 | Dangerous When Wet · as Windy Weebe |
| 1953 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) · as Joe Bushwick |
| 1951 | The Groom Wore Spurs · as Ben Castle |
| 1950 | Bright Leaf · as Chris Malley |
| 1950 | The Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) · as John Mulligan |
| 1950 | The Colgate Comedy Hour (TV Series) · as Unknown |
| 1949 | My Dream Is Yours · as Doug Blake |
| 1949 | It's a Great Feeling · as Jack Carson |
| 1949 | John Loves Mary · as Fred Taylor |
| 1948 | Romance on the High Seas · as Peter Virgil |
| 1948 | Studio One (TV Series) · as Harry Breen |
| 1946 | Two Guys from Milwaukee · as Buzz Williams |
| 1945 | Mildred Pierce · as Wally Fay |
| 1944 | Arsenic and Old Lace · as Officer Patrick O'Hara |
| 1942 | Gentleman Jim · as Walter Lawrie |
| 1941 | Love Crazy · as Ward Willoughby |
| 1941 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith · as Chuck |
| 1941 | Blues in the Night · as Leo Powell |
| 1941 | The Bride Came C.O.D. · as Allen Brice |
| 1941 | The Strawberry Blonde · as Hugo Barnstead |
| 1940 | Love Thy Neighbor · as Policeman |
| 1940 | Shooting High · as Gabby Cross |
| 1940 | Young as You Feel · as Norcross |
| 1939 | Destry Rides Again · as Jack Tyndall |
| 1939 | Fifth Avenue Girl · as Minnesota (uncredited) |
| 1939 | The Honeymoon's Over · as Tom Donroy |
| 1939 | Mr. Smith Goes to Washington · as Sweeney Farrell (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Bringing Up Baby · as Circus Roustabout (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Carefree · as Connors |
| 1938 | Vivacious Lady · as Charlie |
| 1938 | The Saint in New York · as Red Jenks |
| 1938 | Law of the Underworld · as Johnny |
| 1938 | Mr. Doodle Kicks Off · as Rochet |
| 1937 | Stage Door · as Mr. Milbanks |
| 1937 | You Only Live Once · as Attendant in First Gas Station |
| 1937 | A Damsel in Distress · as Bit Role |
| 1937 | On Again-Off Again · as Cop |
| 1937 | It Could Happen to You · as Truck Driver |
| 1937 | Stand-In · as Tom Potts |