Dana Andrews
| Dana Andrews | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Born as: | Carver Dana Andrews | |
| Born | Jan 1, 1909 Near Collins, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| Died | Dec 17, 1992 - age 82 Los Alamitos, California, U.S. | |
| Spouse(s): | Janet Murray (1932 - 1935) died Mary Todd (1939 - ) | |
| Children: | 4 | |
| Relatives: | Steve Forrest (brother) | |
| Occupation: | Actor | |
| Years active | 1938–1985 | |
Carver Dana Andrews (✦January 1, 1909 – †December 17, 1992) was an American film actor who became a major star in what is now known as film noir. A leading man during the 1940s, he continued acting in less prestigious roles and character parts into the 1980s. He is best known for his portrayal of obsessed police detective Mark McPherson in the noir Laura (1944) and his critically acclaimed performance as World War II veteran Fred Derry in The Best Years of Our Lives (1946).
Early life
Andrews was born on a farmstead near Collins in southern Mississippi, the third of 13 children of Charles Forrest Andrews, a Baptist minister, and his wife Annis (née Speed). The family subsequently relocated to Huntsville, Texas, the birthplace of his younger siblings, including fellow Hollywood actor Steve Forrest (born William Forrest Andrews).
Andrews attended college at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville and studied business administration in Houston. During 1931, he traveled to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities as a singer. He worked various jobs, such as at a gas station in the nearby community of Van Nuys. To help the struggling Andrews study music at night, "The station owners stepped in ... with a deal: $50 a week for full-time study, in exchange for a five-year share of possible later earnings", which he started repaying after signing with Goldwyn.
Personal life
Andrews married Janet Murray on December 31, 1932. Murray died in 1935 as a result of pneumonia. Their son, David, was a musician and composer who died from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1964 at the age of 30. On November 17, 1939, Andrews married actress Mary Todd, with whom he had three children: Katharine, Stephen, and Susan. For two decades, the family lived in Toluca Lake, California.
Andrews struggled with alcoholism but eventually won the battle and worked actively with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. In 1972, he appeared in a television public service advertisement concerning the subject.
During the last years of his life, Andrews suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He spent his final years living at the John Douglas French Center for Alzheimer's Disease in Los Alamitos, California.
On December 17, 1992, Andrews died of congestive heart failure and pneumonia. His wife died in 2003 at the age of 86.
Filmography
- Wikipedia article: Dana Andrews Filmography
Dana Andrews is included on the list of actors in western films
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Note: Dana Andrews was a volunteer at the Hollywood Canteen |
External links
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Dana_Andrews ]
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