Actor James Whitmore Dies (Photos)

Posted on February 7, 2009

Actor James Whitmore has died at the age of 87 of lung cancer. Read more on James Whitmore’s life and death below.

James Whitmore, a Tony and Emmy-winning actor died Friday of lung cancer at his Malibu home at the age of 87.

Whitmore’s son, Steve, stated that his father was diagnosed with the disease a week before Thanksgiving.

Whitmore 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.”

James 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 probably remember James Whitmore as the aging prison inmate Brooks Hatlen in 1994’s “The Shawshank Redemption” with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.

Whitmore was a natural in cowboy boots and hat, appearing in such TV series as “Bonanza,” “The Virginian” and “Gunsmoke.”

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.

Details of his death and funeral arrangements were not available.

Our condolences to James Whitmore’s family, friends, and fans.

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