Actor James Whitmore died Friday (2/6/09) at his Malibu, California home. He was 87. His stage and television credits include excellent performances as humorist Will Rogers, and Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Truman.
We’ve written about Whitmore a couple of times over the past two years – admiring his unbridled enthusiasm and his seemingly boundless talents on stage and in television and film. I’ll never forget seeing his wonderful performance at the Oklahoma State University Seretean Center in the 1970s. I described that event in this 2007 posting on our Radio-TV website. Whitmore's film credits include a bevy of old westerns, but his repertoire was broad and included a fine portrayal of Navy Admiral William "Bull" Halsey in Tora, Tora, Tora, one of the better films about World War II. In 1968 he had a key role in Planet of the Apes. One of his last movies was The Shawshank Redemption.
We’ve written about Whitmore a couple of times over the past two years – admiring his unbridled enthusiasm and his seemingly boundless talents on stage and in television and film. I’ll never forget seeing his wonderful performance at the Oklahoma State University Seretean Center in the 1970s. I described that event in this 2007 posting on our Radio-TV website. Whitmore's film credits include a bevy of old westerns, but his repertoire was broad and included a fine portrayal of Navy Admiral William "Bull" Halsey in Tora, Tora, Tora, one of the better films about World War II. In 1968 he had a key role in Planet of the Apes. One of his last movies was The Shawshank Redemption.Until his passing on Friday, I didn’t know about Whitmore's involvement with 
the Crazy Horse Memorial here in South Dakota. Apparently, he was an ardent supporter of the project and hosted awareness and fundraising events at his home. According to the Rapid City Journal, Whitmore was a speaker at the memorial’s 50th anniversary celebration that dedicated the completed face carving.
the Crazy Horse Memorial here in South Dakota. Apparently, he was an ardent supporter of the project and hosted awareness and fundraising events at his home. According to the Rapid City Journal, Whitmore was a speaker at the memorial’s 50th anniversary celebration that dedicated the completed face carving.Surfing around the internet, I found several samples of Whitmore’s work. One that is most memorable was his 1975 portrayal of President Harry S. Truman. And in yet another video -- imbedded below -- Whitmore shared a bit of his personal view regarding freedom of religion.
Agree with those views or not, Whitmore was a class act in the world of show business.
1 comment:
I also didn't know James Whitmore was a passionate supporter of Crazy Horse. I wish I did! I always liked him from Oklahoma and years of Miracle Grow ads.
Post a Comment