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Born: August 30, 1908 – Died: November 5, 1991
Fred MacMurray, the actor best known for his iconic role in "Double Indemnity," was a true gem of his generation. Born on August 30, 1908, in Kankakee, Illinois, to parents Maleta Martin and Frederick MacMurray, he hailed from a diverse ancestry, with Scottish roots from his father and German heritage from his mother. Growing up in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, he excelled in sports during his high school days. Fred's journey into entertainment began with a passion for music, playing the saxophone in local bands and even performing alongside legends like Bing Crosby. Despite starting as a musician, he transitioned seamlessly into acting, making his mark in both film and television. Fred MacMurray's enduring legacy as a versatile actor and his ability to excel in roles against type truly set him apart in the golden era of Hollywood.
Early Life and Career
Fred MacMurray's childhood in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, was marked by his love for sports, excelling in football, baseball, and basketball during his high school years. He earned a full scholarship to attend Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin, with aspirations of becoming a musician. However, fate had other plans for him, and he found his way into the world of entertainment.
MacMurray's acting journey began in the 1930 hit production of "Three's a Crowd" on Broadway. It was a stepping stone for his budding acting career. In the 1930s, he played saxophone in the Gus Arnheim and his Coconut Grove Orchestra, rubbing shoulders with famous vocalists like Bing Crosby.
Fred MacMurray's first major successful role came in the 1940s when he starred in "Double Indemnity." His portrayal of Walter Neff in this film marked a turning point in his career and showcased his remarkable versatility as an actor. The movie received critical acclaim and firmly established MacMurray as a leading man in Hollywood.
One of the roles that catapulted him into stardom was his portrayal of Jeff Sheldrake in Billy Wilder's "The Apartment" (1960). This film earned him widespread recognition and accolades, further solidifying his status in the entertainment industry.
Throughout his career, Fred MacMurray garnered three wins and four nominations for various awards, contributing to his reputation as a respected actor. Despite his success in Hollywood, he preferred a private personal life. He married June Haver in 1954, and they remained together until his death in 1991.
In addition to his acting career, MacMurray was known for his conservative political beliefs and support for the Republican Party. He also had a reputation for being frugal in a town known for extravagance.
Fred MacMurray's impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry was significant. He transitioned effortlessly between genres and delivered memorable performances in both dramatic and comedic roles. His enduring legacy continues to inspire actors and audiences alike, cementing his status as a legendary figure in the history of cinema.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | The Swarm | Mayor Clarence Tuttle |
| 1975 | Beyond the Bermuda Triangle (TV Movie) | Harry Ballinger |
| 1974 | The Chadwick Family (TV Movie) | Ned Chadwick |
| 1973 | Charley and the Angel | Charley Appleby |
| 1960–1972 | My Three Sons (TV Series) | Steve Douglas | Fergus Douglas | Fergus McBain Douglas ... |
| 1967 | The Happiest Millionaire | Anthony J. Drexel Biddle - the Father |
| 1966 | Follow Me, Boys! | Lemuel Siddons |
| 1964 | Summer Playhouse (TV Series) | Cameo |
| 1964 | Kisses for My President | Thad McCloud |
| 1962 | Son of Flubber | Prof. Ned Brainard |
| 1962 | Bon Voyage! | Harry Willard |
| 1961 | The Absent Minded Professor | Professor Ned Brainard |
| 1960 | The Apartment | Jeff D. Sheldrake |
| 1960 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1959 | The Oregon Trail | Neal Harris |
| 1959 | Face of a Fugitive | Jim Larsen aka Ray Kincaid |
| 1959 | The Shaggy Dog | Wilson Daniels |
| 1959 | Good Day for a Hanging | Marshal Ben Cutler |
| 1958 | Cimarron City (TV Series) | Laird Garner |
| 1955–1958 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Harry Wingate | Richard Elgin |
| 1958 | Day of the Bad Man | Judge Jim Scott |
| 1957 | Quantez | Gentry | John Coventry |
| 1957 | The 20th Century-Fox Hour (TV Series) | Peterson |
| 1956 | Gun for a Coward | Will Keough |
| 1956 | Screen Directors Playhouse (TV Series) | Peter Terrance |
| 1956 | There's Always Tomorrow | Clifford Groves |
| 1955 | At Gunpoint | Jack Wright |
| 1955 | The Rains of Ranchipur | Tom Ransome |
| 1955 | The Far Horizons | Captain Meriwether Lewis |
| 1954 | Woman's World | Sidney Burns |
| 1954 | Pushover | Paul Sheridan |
| 1954 | The Caine Mutiny | Lt. Tom Keefer (as Fred Mac Murray) |
| 1953 | The Moonlighter | Wes Anderson |
| 1953 | Fair Wind to Java | Capt. Boll |
| 1951 | Callaway Went Thataway | Mike Frye |
| 1951 | A Millionaire for Christy | Peter Ulysses Lockwood |
| 1950 | Never a Dull Moment | Chris Hayward |
| 1950 | Borderline | Johnny McEvoy - aka Johnny Macklin |
| 1949 | Father Was a Fullback | George Cooper |
| 1948 | Family Honeymoon | Grant Jordan |
| 1948 | An Innocent Affair | Vincent Doane |
| 1948 | The Miracle of the Bells | Bill Dunnigan |
| 1948 | On Our Merry Way | Al |
| 1947 | Singapore | Matt Gordon |
| 1947 | The Egg and I | Bob |
| 1947 | Suddenly It's Spring | Peter Morely |
| 1946 | Smoky | Clint Barkley |
| 1945 | Pardon My Past | Eddie York | Francis Pemberton |
| 1945 | Murder, He Says | Pete Marshall |
| 1945 | Captain Eddie | Capt. Edward Rickenbacker |
| 1945 | Where Do We Go from Here? | Bill Morgan |
| 1944 | Practically Yours | Lieutenant S.G. Daniel Bellamy |
| 1944 | Double Indemnity | Walter Neff |
| 1944 | And the Angels Sing | Happy Morgan |
| 1944 | Standing Room Only | Lee Stevens |
| 1943 | The Last Will and Testament of Tom Smith (Short) | Narrator (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Above Suspicion | Richard Myles aka Edward Smith |
| 1943 | No Time for Love | Jim Ryan |
| 1943 | Flight for Freedom | Randy Britton |
| 1942 | Star Spangled Rhythm | Frank in Card-Playing Skit |
| 1942 | The Forest Rangers | Don Stuart |
| 1942 | Take a Letter, Darling | Tom Verney |
| 1942 | The Lady Is Willing | Dr. Corey T. McBain |
| 1941 | New York Town | Victor Ballard |
| 1941 | Dive Bomber | Lieutenant Commander Joe Blake |
| 1941 | One Night in Lisbon | Dwight Houston |
| 1941 | Virginia | Stonewall Jackson Elliott |
| 1940 | Rangers of Fortune | Gil Farra |
| 1940 | Too Many Husbands | Bill Cardew |
| 1940 | Little Old New York | Charles Brownne |
| 1939 | Remember the Night | John Sargent |
| 1939 | Honeymoon in Bali | Bill 'Willie' Burnett |
| 1939 | Invitation to Happiness | Albert 'King' Cole |
| 1939 | Cafe Society | Crick O'Bannon |
| 1938 | Sing, You Sinners | David Beebe |
| 1938 | Men with Wings | Patrick Falconer |
| 1938 | Cocoanut Grove | Johnny Prentice |
| 1937 | True Confession | Kenneth Bartlett |
| 1937 | Exclusive | Ralph Houston |
| 1937 | Swing High, Swing Low | Skid Johnson |
| 1937 | Maid of Salem | Roger Coverman of Virginia |
| 1937 | Champagne Waltz | Buzzy Bellew |
| 1936 | The Texas Rangers | Jim Hawkins |
| 1936 | The Princess Comes Across | Joe King Mantell |
| 1936 | 13 Hours by Air | Jack Gordon |
| 1936 | The Trail of the Lonesome Pine | Jack Hale |
| 1935 | The Bride Comes Home | Cyrus Anderson |
| 1935 | Hands Across the Table | Theodore Drew III |
| 1935 | Alice Adams | Arthur Russell |
| 1935 | Men Without Names | Richard Hood | Richard 'Dick' Grant |
| 1935 | Car 99 | Trooper Ross Martin |
| 1935 | Grand Old Girl | Sandy |
| 1935 | The Gilded Lily | Peter Dawes |
| 1934 | Friends of Mr. Sweeney | Walk-on part (uncredited) |
| 1929 | Tiger Rose | Rancher (uncredited) |
| 1929 | Why Leave Home? | Orchestra Musician (uncredited) |
| 1929 | Girls Gone Wild | Extra (uncredited) |