Fred MacMurray American actor Date of Birth: 30.08.1908 Country: USA

1. Biography of Fred MacMurray
2. Early Life and Interest in Music
3. Early Career in Music and Theater
4. Rise to Film Stardom
5. Later Career and Personal Life

Biography of Fred MacMurray

Fred MacMurray (Frederick Martin 'Fred' MacMurray) was born in 1908 in Kankakee, Illinois, USA. He was the son of violinist Frederick MacMurray and his wife Maleta Martin. After his parents divorced, Fred lived with his mother in Wisconsin, where she was originally from.

Early Life and Interest in Music

Fred excelled in sports during his school and college years at Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, playing football, baseball, and basketball. Despite his athletic achievements, Fred was drawn to the arts and spent a lot of time playing various musical instruments such as the piano, guitar, and saxophone. He started performing with his saxophone in local music groups.

Early Career in Music and Theater

After finishing college, Fred pursued a career in music. In 1930, he played with the Gus Arnheim Orchestra and performed the song "All I Want Is Just One Girl." The same year, Fred made his Broadway debut in the play "Three's a Crowd." In 1933, he appeared on Broadway again in the production of "Roberta."

Rise to Film Stardom

In 1934, Fred signed a contract with Paramount Pictures and began appearing in significant film roles. In 1941, he starred in the war drama "Dive Bomber" about the work of US Navy medics and pilots. Throughout the 1940s, Fred had the opportunity to work with some of the most glamorous leading ladies of the time, such as Marlene Dietrich, Rosalind Russell, and Joan Crawford. One of his most notable films of the 1940s was the film noir "Double Indemnity" directed by Billy Wilder, in which he starred alongside Barbara Stanwyck.

Later Career and Personal Life

In the 1950s, Fred continued to have success in films, including the military drama "The Caine Mutiny." However, by the 1960s, his film career began to decline, and he transitioned to television. He had a notable role in the 1960 dramatic comedy "The Apartment," in which he worked again with director Billy Wilder. Fred's most prominent television role was in the series "My Three Sons." He played his last (and not a leading) role in the 1978 thriller "The Swarm."

Fred MacMurray was married twice. His first wife was dancer Lillian Lamont, and they had two adopted children, Susan and Robert. After Lillian's death in 1953, Fred married actress June Haver, with whom he remained until his death. They also adopted two daughters, Katherine and Laurie. Fred MacMurray lived until the age of 83 and died from pneumonia on November 5, 1991, in Santa Monica. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery. Charles Tranberg wrote a biography of Fred MacMurray, which was published in 2007.