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Arthur Kennedy

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Actor

The Resume

    (February 17, 1914-January 17, 1990)
    Born in Worcester, Massachusetts
    Birth name is John Arthur Kennedy
    Acted in 'City for Conquest,' 'High Sierra,' 'The Glass Menagerie,' 'Air Force,' 'Champion,' 'Bright Victory,' 'Bend of the River,' 'Trial,' 'The Man from Laramie,' 'Peyton Place,' 'Some Came Running,' 'Elmer Gantry,' 'Barabbas,' 'Lawrence of Arabia' 'Hemingway's Adventures as a Young Man,' 'Cheyenne Autumn' 'Nevada Smith,' 'Fantastic Voyage,' and 'Signs of Life'
    Acted in the original productions of 'All My Sons' (1947), 'Death of a Salesman' (1949), 'The Crucible' (1953), and 'The Price' (1968)
    Played opposite Laurence Olivier in 'Becket' on the Broadway stage (1961)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was an alcoholic.
    He got his start in stage acting as part of the Federal Theater Project.
    He was typecast as villains or as the 'sympathetic antagonist.'
    He ties with Claude Rains for the most losses for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar (four nominations).
    He's a 'serious actor' who lost Oscars to light comedians like Burl Ives, Red Buttons, and Jack Lemmon.
    Over the years, people have made the mistake of thinking he's a member of the elite Kennedy family, although he's of no relation.
    He acted in the notoriously bad film adaptation of 'The Glass Menagerie,' playing a character almost half his age.
    He got a part in the prestigious 'Lawrence of Arabia' only after Edmund O'Brien had a heart attack on location, removing him from the project.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was discovered by James Cagney.
    He was a versatile actor who frequently brought depth to one-dimensional characters.
    He was a friend and frequent co-star to Jimmy Stewart, John Garfield, and Anthony Quinn.
    He was a favorite of Arthur Miller, who starred him in the original runs of four of his plays.
    He won a Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Biff Loman in 'Death of a Salesman.'
    He beat out both Humphrey Bogart and Marlon Brando for the New York Film Critics Circle Award in 1951.
    He won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a Communist agitator in 'Trial' (1956).
    He was nominated for Best Actor for his role in 'Bright Victory,' in addition to his Supporting Actor Nominations in 'Champion,' 'Trial,' 'Peyton Place,' and 'Some Came Running.'
    Sal Mineo, who was up against him for the 1956 Oscar, stated in an interview that he thought Kennedy would win (both ended up losing to Jack Lemon).
    He was married to the same woman for over thirty years, until her death.
    He served in the United States Army Air Corps, making aviation training films.

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 25 Votes: 52.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 7 Votes: 14.29% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 308 Votes: 53.25% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 92 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 118 Votes: 61.86% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 34 Votes: 88.24% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 23 Votes: 30.43% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying