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Charles Bickford is a Actor American born on 31 december 1890 at Cambridge (USA)

Charles Bickford

Charles Bickford
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Birth name Charles Ambrose Bickford
Nationality USA
Birth 31 december 1890 at Cambridge (USA)
Death 9 november 1967 (at 76 years) at Los Angeles (USA)

Charles Ambrose Bickford (January 1, 1891 – November 9, 1967) was an American actor best known for his strong supporting roles. He was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for The Song of Bernadette (1943), The Farmer's Daughter (1947), and Johnny Belinda (1948). Other notable roles include Whirlpool (1948), A Star is Born (1954) and The Big Country (1958).

Biography

Early life
Bickford was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the first minute of 1891. The fifth of seven children, Charles was an intelligent but very independent and unruly child. He had a particularly strong relationship with his maternal grandfather (a sea captain) who was a powerful influence during his formative years. At the age of nine he was tried and acquitted of the attempted murder of a trolley motorman who had callously driven over and killed his beloved dog. Always more interested in experiencing life than reading about it, Charles was generally considered "the wild rogue" of this family, causing his parents frequent consternation. In his late teens he drifted aimlessly around the United States for a time. Before breaking into acting he worked as a lumberjack, investment promoter, and for a short time, ran a pest extermination business. He was a stoker and fireman in the United States Navy when a friend dared him to get a job in Burlesque. His first entry into acting was on the stage, eventually including Broadway. This venue provided him with an occasional living and served as the principal training ground for developing his acting and vocal talents.


Acting career
Bickford had intended to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to earn an engineering degree, but while wandering around the country, he became friends with the manager of a burlesque show, who convinced Bickford to take a role in the show. He debuted in Oakland, California in 1911. Bickford enjoyed himself so much that he abandoned his plans to attend M.I.T. He made his legitimate stage debut with the John Craig Stock Company at the Castle Square Theatre in Boston in 1912. He eventually joined a road company and traveled throughout the United States for more than a decade, appearing in various productions. In 1925, while working in a Broadway play called Outside Looking In, he and co-star James Cagney (in his first Broadway role) received rave reviews. He was offered a role in Herbert Brenon's 1926 film of Beau Geste, but anxious not to give up his newfound Broadway stardom, turned it down, a decision he later came to regret. Following his appearance in the critically praised but unsuccessful Maxwell Anderson-Harold Hickerson drama about the Sacco and Vanzetti case, Gods of the Lightning (Bickford was the Sacco character), Bickford was contacted by filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille and offered a contract with MGM studios to star in DeMille's first talking picture, Dynamite. He soon began working with MGM head Louis B. Mayer on a number of projects.

He soon became a star after playing Greta Garbo's lover in Anna Christie (1930), but never developed into a leading man. Always of independent mind, exceptionally strong-willed and quick with his fists, Bickford would frequently argue and nearly come to blows with Mayer and any number of other MGM authority figures during the course of this contract with the studio. During the production of DeMille's Dynamite, he punched out his director following a string of heated arguments primarily, but not exclusively, related to the interpretation of his character's role. Throughout his early career on both the stage and later films Bickford rejected numerous scripts and made no secret of his disdain for much of the material he was offered. Not surprisingly, his association with MGM was short-lived with Bickford asking for and quickly receiving a release from his contract. However, he soon found himself blacklisted at other studios forcing him to take the highly unusual step (for that era) of becoming an independent actor for several years. His career took another turn when in 1935 he was mauled by a lion and nearly killed while filming East of Java. While he recovered, he lost his contract with Fox as well as his leading man status due to extensive neck scarring suffered in the attack coupled with his advancing age. It was not long however before he made a very successful transition to character roles which he felt offered much greater diversity and allowed him to showcase his talent to better effect. Much preferring the character roles that now became his forte, Bickford appeared in many notable films including The Farmer's Daughter, Johnny Belinda, A Star is Born, and Not As a Stranger.

Finding great success playing an array of character roles in films and later in television, Bickford quickly became highly sought after; his burly frame and craggy, intense features, coupled with a gruff, powerful voice lent themselves to a wide variety of roles. Most often he played lovable father figures, stern businessmen, heavies, ship captains or authority figures of some sort. During the 1940s, he was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He served as host of the 1950s television series The Man Behind the Badge.

On April 16, 1958, Bickford appeared with Roger Smith in "The Daniel Barrister Story" on NBC's Wagon Train. In this first season episode, Daniel Barrister, played by Bickford, objects to medical treatment for his wife, Jenny, the victim of a wagon accident. Meanwhile, Dr. Peter H. Culver, played by Smith, has successfully fought a smallpox epidemic in a nearby town. He is brought to the wagon train by scout Flint McCullough, portrayed by series regular Robert Horton to treat Mrs. Barrister. Viewers never knew if Barrister yielded to allow Dr. Culver to treat Jenny.

Bickford continued to act in generally prestigious projects right up to his death. He guest-starred on ABC's The Islanders and on NBC's The Barbara Stanwyck Show and The Eleventh Hour. In his final years, Bickford played rancher John Grainger, owner of the Shiloh Ranch on NBC's The Virginian western series.

Two of the actor's most memorable big-screen roles came in the western The Big Country (1958), as a wealthy and ruthless rancher, and in the drama Days of Wine and Roses, as the forlorn father of an alcoholic.

In 1965, Bickford published his autobiography, Bulls Balls Bicycles & Actors.


Death
He died in Los Angeles of a blood infection at the age of 76, on November 9, 1967, just days after filming an episode of The Virginian. His death triggered Jennifer Jones' suicide attempt in November 1967.

He had a son, Rex and a daughter, Doris.

Best films

Days of Wine and Roses (1963)
(Actor)
The Song of Bernadette (1943)
(Actor)
Johnny Belinda (1948)
(Actor)
Reap the Wild Wind (1942)
(Actor)
The Unforgiven (1960)
(Actor)
Anna Christie (1930)
(Actor)

Usually with

Source : Wikidata

Filmography of Charles Bickford (82 films)

Display filmography as list

Actor

Hustle
Hustle (1975)
, 1h55
Directed by Robert Aldrich
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Comedy, Action, Crime
Themes Films about sexuality, Films about prostitution
Actors Burt Reynolds, Catherine Deneuve, Ben Johnson, Paul Winfield, Eileen Brennan, Eddie Albert
Rating61% 3.0959153.0959153.0959153.0959153.095915
When the body of a young woman is found on an isolated beach, Lieutenant Phil Gaines and his partner, Sergeant Louis Belgrave, are the weary and bitter LAPD detectives assigned to the homicide investigation. They conclude, with the support of the coroner's report, that the victim, a hooker and known drug user named Gloria Hollinger, committed suicide using pills.
A Big Hand for the Little Lady, 1h35
Directed by Fielder Cook
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Action, Western
Themes Jeu, Poker
Actors Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, Paul Ford, Jason Robards, Burgess Meredith, Charles Bickford
Roles Benson Tropp
Rating72% 3.6462453.6462453.6462453.6462453.646245
The five richest men in the territory gather in Laredo for their annual high-stakes poker game. The high rollers let nothing get in the way of their yearly showdown. When undertaker Tropp (Charles Bickford) calls for them in his horse-drawn hearse, cattleman Henry Drummond (Jason Robards) forces a postponement of his daughter's wedding, while lawyer Otto Habershaw (Kevin McCarthy) abandons his closing arguments in a trial, with his client's life hanging in the balance. They are joined by Wilcox (Robert Middleton) and Buford (John Qualen) in the back room of Sam's saloon, while the curious gather outside for occasional reports.
Della
Della (1964)

Directed by Robert Gist
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Actors Joan Crawford, Paul Burke, Diane Baker, Charles Bickford, Richard Carlson, Robert Sampson
Roles Hugh Stafford
Rating54% 2.7096252.7096252.7096252.7096252.709625
Della
Della (1964)

Directed by Robert Gist
Genres Drama
Actors Joan Crawford, Diane Baker, Charles Bickford, Paul Burke, Richard Carlson, Robert Sampson
Roles Hugh Stafford
Rating54% 2.7096252.7096252.7096252.7096252.709625
Della Chappell (Joan Crawford) is a reclusive wealthy woman, consumed by power and dedicated to protecting her daughter Jenny's (Diane Baker) future. Her father founded the town of Royal Bay and she still owns most of it. An outside company wants to buy parts of the town for development but Della refuses to consider the option. Barney Stafford (Paul Burke), a lawyer representing the developers' interests, butts heads with Della frequently.
Days of Wine and Roses, 1h57
Directed by Blake Edwards
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Romance
Themes Films about alcoholism, Medical-themed films, Films about drugs
Actors Jack Lemmon, Lee Remick, Charles Bickford, Jack Klugman, Alan Hewitt, Jack Albertson
Roles Ellis Arnesen
Rating77% 3.896843.896843.896843.896843.89684
Public relations man Joe Clay (Jack Lemmon) meets and falls in love with Kirsten Arnesen (Lee Remick), a secretary. Kirsten is a teetotaler until Joe introduces her to social drinking. Reluctant at first, after her first few Brandy Alexanders, she admits that having a drink "made me feel good." Despite the misgivings of her father (Charles Bickford), who runs a San Mateo landscaping business, they get married and give birth to a daughter named Debbie.
The Unforgiven, 2h5
Directed by John Huston
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Action, Romance, Western
Themes Films about racism, Films about sexuality
Actors Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn, Audie Murphy, Lillian Gish, Charles Bickford, John Saxon
Roles Zeb Rawlins
Rating65% 3.296863.296863.296863.296863.29686
The Zacharys are a thriving and respected family on the Texas frontier. Father Will Zachary was killed by Kiowa Indians, leaving his oldest son Ben (Burt Lancaster) as the head of the family. Both Ben and his mother Mattilda (Lillian Gish) are very protective of the Zachary's adopted daughter, Rachel (Audrey Hepburn), while her other brothers, Cash (Audie Murphy) and Andy (Doug McClure), treat her as they would any sister. The family is supported by their closest neighbor, Zeb Rawlins (Charles Bickford), the patriarch of a racist family, whose shy son Charlie (Albert Salmi) wants to marry Rachel. Ben, long aware that she is not actually his sister, loves Rachel and is reluctant.
The Big Country, 2h45
Directed by William Wyler, John Waters
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Action, Romance, Western
Actors Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Charlton Heston, Carroll Baker, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford
Roles Major Henry Terrill
Rating78% 3.9469253.9469253.9469253.9469253.946925
Wealthy sea captain James McKay (Gregory Peck) travels to the American West to join his fiancée Patricia (Carroll Baker) at the enormous ranch owned by her father, Henry Terrill (Charles Bickford), referred to by all as the "Major". Terrill has been feuding with Rufus Hannassey (Burl Ives), the patriarch of a poorer, less refined ranching clan, over water rights in the arid grazing lands of the high plains.
Mister Cory, 1h32
Directed by Blake Edwards
Genres Drama
Themes Jeu, Poker
Actors Tony Curtis, Martha Hyer, Charles Bickford, Kathryn Crosby, William Reynolds, Henry Daniell
Roles Jeremiah Des Plains 'Biloxi' Caldwell
Rating65% 3.2908353.2908353.2908353.2908353.290835
Cory, a poor Chicago kid with a penchant for gambling, gets a job at a posh Wisconsin resort as a busboy. He takes a liking to glamorous socialite Abby Vollard, who is toying with the affections of rich boyfriend Alex Wyncott.
You Can't Run Away from It, 1h35
Directed by Dick Powell
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Romantic comedy, Musical, Romance
Themes Films about writers, Films about journalists, Musical films
Actors June Allyson, Jack Lemmon, Charles Bickford, Paul Gilbert, Jim Backus, Stubby Kaye
Roles A.A. Andrews
Rating58% 2.9495452.9495452.9495452.9495452.949545
Because she married an international playboy, Ellie Andrews (June Allyson) is kidnapped by her own father, Texas cattleman A. A. Andrews (Charles Bickford). She escapes, managing to evade his nationwide search for her with the help of Peter Warne (Jack Lemmon), a jobless reporter, who sees himself getting the biggest story of the year - until he and Ellie fall in love. When Ellie suspects Peter has sold her out, she returns home. Realizing his daughter really loves the newspaperman, Andrews tries to persuade Ellie to run away again, this time from her own wedding ceremony. Who will Ellie choose, her husband or the man who has stolen her heart?
The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, 1h40
Directed by Otto Preminger
Origin USA
Genres Drama, War, Biography
Themes Transport films, Aviation films, United States Armed Forces in films
Actors Gary Cooper, Charles Bickford, Rod Steiger, Ralph Bellamy, Elizabeth Montgomery, Peter Graves
Roles Gen. Jimmy Guthrie
Rating67% 3.3963853.3963853.3963853.3963853.396385
Brigadier General William Mitchell tries to prove the worth of the Air Service as an independent service by sinking a battleship under restrictive conditions agreed to by Army and Navy. He disobeys their orders to limit the attack to bombs under 1,000 pounds and instead loads 2,000 pounders. With these, he proves his aircraft can sink the ex-German World War I battleship Ostfriesland, previously considered unsinkable. But his superiors are outraged.
Not as a Stranger, 2h15
Directed by Stanley Kramer
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Romance
Themes Medical-themed films
Actors Olivia de Havilland, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Grahame, Lon Chaney, Jr., Lee Marvin
Roles Dr. Dave W. Runkleman
Rating66% 3.346853.346853.346853.346853.34685
The film follows a group of medical students through school, hospital internships, and eventually their careers as doctors. Dr. Lucas Marsh (Robert Mitchum) was blinded by ambition, losing his idealism after marrying older woman Kristina Hedvigson (Olivia de Havilland) in order to make it through medical school. He is indifferent toward his wife, dedicated only to his work. As he climbs his way to the top of the medical profession by using others, he is forced to face his morality after his misjudgment leads to the death of a friend.
Prince of Players, 1h42
Directed by Philip Dunne
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Biography
Themes Films about television, Children's films
Actors Richard Burton, Maggie McNamara, John Derek, Raymond Massey, Charles Bickford, Elizabeth Sellars
Roles Dave Prescott
Rating66% 3.342343.342343.342343.342343.34234
Edwin "Ned" Booth (Richard Burton) is the son of the noted thespian Junius Brutus Booth and the older brother of another actor, John Wilkes Booth. Beginning In 1848, as a boy, and into early manhood, he travels with and assists Junius, who is often drunk and seems at times on the brink of madness.
A Star Is Born, 3h1
Directed by George Cukor
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Musical, Romance
Themes Films about alcoholism, Films about films, Medical-themed films, Films about music and musicians, Films about drugs, Films about television, Musical films
Actors Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson, Charles Bickford, Tommy Noonan, Amanda Blake
Roles Oliver Niles
Rating74% 3.7464753.7464753.7464753.7464753.746475
Esther Blodgett is a talented aspiring singer with a band, and Norman Maine is a former matinee idol with a career in the early stages of decline. When he arrives intoxicated at a function at the Shrine Auditorium, the studio publicist attempts to keep him away from reporters. After an angry exchange, Norman rushes away and bursts onto a stage where an orchestra is performing. Blodgett takes him by the hand and pretends he is part of the act, thereby turning a potentially embarrassing and disruptive moment into an opportunity for the audience to greet Norman with applause.
The Last Posse, 1h13
Directed by Alfred L. Werker
Origin USA
Genres Western
Actors John Derek, Broderick Crawford, Wanda Hendrix, Charles Bickford, Warner Anderson, Henry Hull
Roles Sampson Drune
Rating64% 3.2414453.2414453.2414453.2414453.241445
When the anxiously awaited posse returns with neither prisoners nor the stolen money, we learn through flashbacks from three different characters, what took place. Having been cheated by Sampson Drune, a father and his two sons have robbed him and fled. A posse led by Drune took off after them and although unwanted, the town's drunken Sheriff joined them. The Sheriff's influence on Jed, the adopted son of Drune, is the key to Jed later revealing who killed Drune, the robbers, and what happened to the money.