James Whitmore

**James Allen Whitmore, Jr.** (October 1, 1921  February 6, 2009) was an American stage and movie actor.

## Early years

Born on October 1, 1921 in White Plains, New York. to Florence Belle (née Crane) and James Allen Whitmore, Sr.. Whitmore graduated from Yale University before serving in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

## Career

Following the war, Whitmore appeared on Broadway, where he won a special Tony Award in 1948. His first major movie was _Battleground_, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Other major movies include; _The Asphalt Jungle_, _The Next Voice You Hear_, _Kiss Me, Kate_, _Them!_, _Black Like Me_, and _Give 'em Hell, Harry_, for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as 33rd President of the United States Harry S. Truman.

Whitmore also appeared as General Oliver O. Howard in the 1975 TV movie _I Will Fight No More Forever_, based on the 1877 conflict between the United States and Nez Perce trib, led by Chief Joseph.

### Later career

Whitmore's last major role was as librarian Brooks Hatlen in the critically-acclaimed and the Academy Award-nominated 1994 movie _The Shawshank Redemption_.

Although not always politically active, in 2007, Whitmore received some publicity with his endorsement of Barack Obama for U.S. President. In January 2008, Whitmore appeared in television commercials for the First Freedom First campaign, which advocates preserving "the separation of church and state" and protecting religious liberty.

## Personal life

Whitmore was married four times; once to Nancy Mygatt in 1947 until they divorced in 1971. Then he married Audra Lindley in 1972 until they divorced in 1979. Later he once again married Nancy Mygatt in 1979 until they divorced once again in 1981. Lastly Whitmore married Noreen Nash in 2001 until Whitmore's death in 2009. He only has three sons from his first marriage including; James Whitmore, Jr..

## Death

Whitmore died on February 6, 2009 in his Malibu, California home from lung cancer from which he had since November 2008. He was 87 years old. Whitmore was later cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.

## Other websites

- Actors Master Class: James Whitmore in How To Steal A Scene
- Whitmore interview. YouTube.
- Staff (undated; copyright 2009).  "James Whitmore Obituary".  Associated Press (via the _Los Angeles Times_ module at Legacy.com).  Retrieved October 14, 2012.
- Steven Ameche: Remembering James Whitmore At The Market

## Infobox (person)

- **name**: James Whitmore
- **image**: James Whitmore.jpg
- **caption**: Whitmore in 1955
- **birth name**: James Allen Whitmore, Jr.
- **birth place**: White Plains, New York, White Plains, New York (state), New York, United States
- **death place**: Malibu, California, Malibu, California, United States
- **death cause**: Lung cancer
- **resting place**: Cremated, Ashes scattered into the Pacific Ocean
- **years active**: 1949–2007
- **alma mater**: Yale University
- **occupation**: Actor
- **spouse**: Nancy Mygatt <small>(1947–1971, divorced)</small>
Audra Lindley <small>(1972–1979, divorced)</small>
Nancy Mygatt <small> (1979–1981, divorced)</small>
Noreen Nash <small>(2001–2009, his death)</small>
- **children**: Three sons from first marriage:
  James Whitmore, Jr., James Allen Whitmore, III

Steve Whitmore

Daniel Whitmore
- **relatives**: Matty Whitmore (grandchild)