Mike Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 Craggy-faced film, television and stage actor James Whitmore has died at 87, the Los Angeles County, California, Sheriff's Department confirmed Saturday. Details of his death and funeral arrangements were not available. Whitmore notably portrayed Harry Truman, Will Rogers and Theodore Roosevelt in one-man stage shows and created memorable characters in many movies and TV shows, including "The Twilight Zone." According to entertainment Web site IMDb.com, Whitmore won a Tony award in 1948 for his gritty Broadway portrayal of an Army sergeant in "Command Decision" but was replaced by Van Johnson in the film version. Whitmore won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the 1949 film "Battleground." He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar in 1976 for "Give 'Em Hell, Harry," the film version of his one-man show about Truman. The actor won an Emmy in 2000 for his performance as Raymond Oz in a three-episode arc on the ABC legal drama "The Practice," according to IMDb.com. Movie fans may remember his subtle portrayal of aging prison inmate Brooks Hatlen in 1994's "The Shawshank Redemption" with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. He played U.S. Navy Adm. William F. Halsey in the World War II epic "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and was an imperious ape in the 1968 classic "Planet of the Apes." Whitmore looked natural in cowboy boots and hat, appearing in such TV series as "Bonanza," "The Virginian" and "Gunsmoke." He also did commercials for Miracle-Gro plant foods. According to IMDb.com, Whitmore was born in 1921 in White Plains, New York. He was married four times: twice to Nancy Mygatt, for four years in the '70s to actress Audra Lindley, and since 2001 to actress Noreen Nash. He was the father of three children, including actor-director James Whitmore Jr. © 2009 Cable News Network Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted February 8, 2009 Report Share Posted February 8, 2009 How sad. I really enjoyed his portrayls. R.I.P. Mr Whitmore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamisammy29 Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 BROOKS WAS HERE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel2Velvet Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 His Twilight Zone characterization of a commanding officer who kept his astro-stranded troops alive until a rescue detail arrived was so memorable that (unlike almost all the rest of the TZ episodes, which I have seen multiple times) even though I have only seen it once, it stands out in my mind as one of that series' best episodes. A versatle actor who seemed to be able to project strength and vulnerability simultaneously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Joe Posted February 12, 2009 Report Share Posted February 12, 2009 Whitmore broke serious, controversial ground in 1964 with his lead role in Black Like Me...a movie that was far ahead of its time while being in the midst of the civil rights movement. Here's one man's take on it... Black Like Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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