 |
Brian DonlevyAmerican actor
Date of Birth: 09.02.1899
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Brian Donlevy
Brian Donlevy (Waldo Brian Donlevy) was born in 1901 in Armagh, Northern Ireland. His parents moved to Racine, Wisconsin when he was very young. When he was 9 years old, his family moved again to Cleveland, Ohio. At the age of 14, Donlevy joined the army, hiding his true age.
Acting Career
Donlevy's acting career began in the early 1920s in New York, where he appeared on several theater stages and even managed to be in a few silent films. He also worked as a model for illustrator J.C. Leyendecker. In 1935, his luck finally turned when he was cast in the melodramatic western film "Barbary Coast," which gained immense popularity. From then on, Donlevy never lacked roles.
In 1939, he received an Academy Award nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" for his role as Sergeant Markoff in the adventure war film "Beau Geste." The following year, in 1940, Donlevy played perhaps his most memorable role as Dan McGinty in the comedy "The Great McGinty." These two roles, Sergeant Markoff and McGinty, largely defined Donlevy's acting career.
Throughout his long life in front of the camera (over 45 years), Donlevy appeared in approximately 120 films and television shows. Some of his notable films include "Killer McCoy" (1947), "Impact" (1949), "Shakedown" (1950), "The Quatermass Xperiment" (1955), "Cowboy" (1958), "Waco" (1966), and "Five Golden Dragons" (1967), among others. He also actively worked in radio and appeared in numerous TV series.
Donlevy was most remembered by the audience for his role in "The Great McGinty." In 1968, he appeared in the comedy "Rogues' Gallery," and in 1969, he played his final role as the protagonist Grant Willard in the sports drama "Pit Stop."
Personal Life and Death
Donlevy was married three times. His first marriage was to Yvonne Grey from 1928 to 1936. He then married actress Marjorie Lane, with whom he stayed from 1936 to 1947, and they had a daughter named Judy. Finally, his third wife was Lillian Arch Lugosi, whom he was married to from 1966 until his death.
Brian Donlevy passed away from throat cancer on April 5, 1972, at the Motion Picture Country Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. His ashes were scattered over Santa Monica Bay.
