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Don MurrayAmerican actor
Date of Birth: 31.07.1939
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Don Murray
Donald Patrick 'Don' Murray was born on July 31, 1929, in Hollywood, California, USA. He was the only child of Dennis Aloisius, a dance troupe leader and assistant director, and Ethel Murray, a former Broadway performer in 'Ziegfeld Follies'. Murray attended East Rockaway High School and graduated in 1947. He played football and was a member of the track and field team at the school. After high school, Murray enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his Broadway debut in 1951, playing the role of Jake Hunter in 'The Rose Tattoo'.
Early Career
After his debut, Murray took a three-year break from acting to assist orphans and victims of the Korean War in Europe. He returned to America in 1954 and then performed in the theatrical production of 'The Skin of Our Teeth' in 1955, alongside Mary Martin. His performance in the play caught the attention of director Joshua Logan, who cast him in his film adaptation of 'Bus Stop' in 1956, starring Marilyn Monroe. Murray's portrayal of the troubled cowboy Bo in 'Bus Stop' marked his debut in the film industry. His first performance was so successful that he was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Success in Film and Television
In 1957, Murray played the reserved, married accountant Charlie Samson in the drama 'The Bachelor Party'. That same year, he earned one of his most successful roles in his career as Johnny Pope in the drama 'A Hatful of Rain'. Initially, director Fred Zinnemann had cast Murray as Johnny's funny brother Polo. However, Murray insisted on playing the lead role - a Korean War veteran struggling with morphine addiction. Murray also appeared in the drama 'Advise & Consent' based on Allen Drury's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, 'Baby the Rain Must Fall' alongside Steve McQueen, and the science fiction action film 'Planet of the Apes'.
In addition to his acting duties, Murray directed and co-wrote the biographical film 'The Cross and the Switchblade' starring Pat Boone and Erik Estrada. He also starred alongside Otis Young in the television western series 'The Outcasts', which featured bounty hunters who were dependent on each other, breaking the racial barrier by pairing a black and white actor as the lead characters.
Later Years
In 1979, Murray became involved in the long-running soap opera 'Knots Landing' and even wrote the screenplay for two episodes a year later. However, in 1981, he decided to leave the series. In the storyline, his character Sid was involved in a car accident that would have led to his death, revealing that Sid dies in the hospital. Murray married Hope Lange, one of the stars of 'Bus Stop', in 1956, and they had two children together. The couple divorced in 1961. A year later, the actor married Elizabeth Johnson, with whom he had three children.
Despite his role in 'A Hatful of Rain', Murray was actually opposed to the Korean War. Instead of participating in the war, he dedicated himself to assisting refugees, including orphaned children, in Europe.
