Jack Carson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Elmer "Jack" Carson (October 27, 1910 – January 2, 1963) was a Canadian-born, American film actor, with a film career spanning the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Though he was primarily used in supporting roles for comic relief, his work in films such as Mildred Pierce (1945) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) displayed his mastery of "straight" dramatic actor roles as well. He worked for RKO and MGM (cast opposite Myrna Loy and William Powell in Love Crazy), but most of his memorable work was for Warner Bros. His trademark character was the wisecracking know-it-all, typically and inevitably undone by his own smug cockiness. Carson initially landed bit roles at RKO Radio Pictures in films such as Bringing Up Baby (1938), starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn.
An early standout role for Carson was as a mock-drunk undercover G-Man opposite Richard Cromwell in Universal Pictures's anti-Nazi action drama entitled Enemy Agent. This led to contract-player status with Warner Brothers shortly thereafter. While there, he was teamed with Dennis Morgan in a number of films, supposedly to compete with Paramount's popular Bing Crosby - Bob Hope Road to … pictures.
Most of his work at Warner Brothers was limited to light comedy work with Morgan, and later Doris Day (who in her autobiography would credit Carson as one of her early Hollywood mentors). Critics generally agree that Carson's best work was in Mildred Pierce (1945), where he played the perpetually scheming Wally Fay opposite Joan Crawford in the title role. Also in 1945, he played the role of Harold Pierson, the second husband of Louise Randall, played by Rosalind Russell, in Roughly Speaking. Another role which won accolades for him was as publicist Matt Libby in A Star is Born (1954). One of his last film roles was as the older brother "Gooper" in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958).
His TV appearances, extending into the early 1960s, included The Martha Raye Show, The Guy Mitchell Show, and The Polly Bergen Show in 1957; Alcoa Theatre and Bonanza (Season 1, Ep.9: "Mr. Henry Comstock") in 1959; Thriller ("The Big Blackout") in 1960; and The Twilight Zone (Season 2, Ep. 14: "The Whole Truth") in 1961.
On February 8, 1960, Carson received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the television and radio industry. The television star is located at 1560 Vine Street, the radio star is at 6361 Hollywood Boulevard.
In 1983, after his death, Jack Carson was inducted into the Wisconsin Performing Artists Hall of Fame along with his film pal, Dennis Morgan, who was also from Wisconsin.
Acted in
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
1988
as Self (archive footage)
Going Hollywood: The '30s
1984
as (archive footage)
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Sammy, the Way-Out Seal
1962
as Harold Sylvester
The Children of Alda Nuova
1962
as Frankie Fane
Bus Stop
1961
Who Killed Julie Greer?
1961
as Fairchild
King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein
1961
as Timothy W. 'Big Tim' O'Brien
Thriller
1960
as Burt Lewis
The Bramble Bush
1960
as Bert Mosley
The Twilight Zone
1959
as Harvey Hunnicut
Bonanza
1959
as Henry T.P. Comstock
Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!
1958
as Captain Hoxie
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
1958
as Gooper
The Tarnished Angels
1957
as Jiggs
Alcoa Theatre
1957
as Bert Kennedy
Alcoa Theatre
1957
as Augie Adams
Alcoa Theatre
1957
The Polly Bergen Show
1957
as Self
The Tattered Dress
1957
as Sheriff Nick Hoak
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
1956
as Self
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
1956
as Sundown Smith
Magnificent Roughnecks
1956
as Bix Decker
The Steve Allen Show
1956
as Self - Comedian - Various Quiz Show Hosts
The Bottom of the Bottle
1956
as Hal Breckinridge
Arroyo
1955
as Lamar Kendall
Screen Director's Playhouse
1955
as Lamar Kendall
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Frankie Fane
Ain't Misbehavin'
1955
as Harold North
The Bob Cummings Show
1955
as Jack Carson
Phffft
1954
as Charlie Nelson
The Wonderful World of Disney
1954
as Harold Sylvester
Climax!
1954
as Art Shaddick
Climax!
1954
as Eugene Skinner
The George Gobel Show
1954
as Self
A Star Is Born
1954
as Matt Libby
A Star Is Born World Premiere
1954
as Self - Host
Red Garters
1954
as Jason Carberry
Dangerous When Wet
1953
as Windy Webbe
General Electric Theater
1953
as Joe Bushwick
General Electric Theater
1953
The Ford Television Theatre
1952
as Dan Doyle
This Is Your Life
1952
as Self
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
as Danny Scott
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
as Harry Mauldron
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
as Sid Devlin
The Groom Wore Spurs
1951
as Ben Castle
Mister Universe
1951
as Jeff Clayton
Four Star Revue
1950
as Host
Lux Video Theatre
1950
as Garrison
Lux Video Theatre
1950
as John Mulligan
The Colgate Comedy Hour
1950
as Self - Host
Bright Leaf
1950
as Chris Malley
The Good Humor Man
1950
as Biff Jones
Your Show of Shows
1950
What's My Line?
1950
as Self - Mystery Guest
It's a Great Feeling
1949
as Jack Carson
My Dream Is Yours
1949
as Doug Blake
John Loves Mary
1949
as Fred Taylor
Studio One
1948
as Harry Breen
Two Guys from Texas
1948
as Danny Foster
Romance on the High Seas
1948
as Peter Virgil
April Showers
1948
as Joe Tyme
Always Together
1947
as Bill (uncredited)
So You Want to Be in Pictures
1947
as Man Giving Directions (uncredited)
Love and Learn
1947
as Jingles Collins
The Time, The Place and The Girl
1946
as Jeff Howard
Okay for Sound
1946
Two Guys from Milwaukee
1946
as Buzz Williams
One More Tomorrow
1946
as Patrick 'Pat' Regan
Mildred Pierce
1945
as Wally Fay
Roughly Speaking
1945
as Harold C. Pierson
Breakdowns of 1944
1944
as Self
Hollywood Canteen
1944
as Self
The Doughgirls
1944
as Arthur Halstead
Arsenic and Old Lace
1944
as Officer Patrick O'Hara
Make Your Own Bed
1944
as Jerry Curtis
The Road to Victory
1944
as Jack Carson (uncredited)
The Shining Future
1944
as Self
Shine on Harvest Moon
1944
as The Great Georgetti
Food and Magic
1943
Princess O'Rourke
1943
as Dave Campbell
Thank Your Lucky Stars
1943
as Self
The Hard Way
1943
as Albert Runkel
Breakdowns of 1942
1942
as Self
Gentleman Jim
1942
as Walter Lawrie
Wings for the Eagle
1942
as Brad Maple
Larceny, Inc.
1942
as Jeff Randolph
The Male Animal
1942
as Joe Ferguson
Blues in the Night
1941
as Leo Powell
Breakdowns of 1941
1941
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Navy Blues
1941
as 'Buttons' Johnson
The Bride Came C.O.D.
1941
as Allen Brice
Love Crazy
1941
as Ward Willoughby
The Strawberry Blonde
1941
as Hugo Barnstead
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
1941
as Chuck
Love Thy Neighbor
1940
as Policeman
Sandy Gets Her Man
1940
as Policeman Tom Garrity
Lucky Partners
1940
as Frederick Harper
Queen of the Mob
1940
as Agent Ross Waring
Girl in 313
1940
as Police Lt. Pat O'Farrell
Typhoon
1940
as Mate
Alias the Deacon
1940
as Sullivan
Shooting High
1940
as Gabby Cross
Enemy Agent
1940
as Ralph
Parole Fixer
1940
as George Mattison
I Take This Woman
1940
as Joe
City of Chance
1940
as Narration - Prologue (voice)
Destry Rides Again
1939
as Jack Tyndall
Legion of Lost Flyers
1939
as Larry Barrigan
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
1939
as Sweeney Farrell (uncredited)
The Escape
1939
as Chet Warren
Fifth Avenue Girl
1939
as Minnesota (uncredited)
The Kid From Texas
1939
as Stanley Brown
Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
1938
as Rochet
Carefree
1938
as Connors
Having Wonderful Time
1938
as Emil Beatty
The Saint in New York
1938
as Red Jenks
Vivacious Lady
1938
as Waiter Captain
Law of the Underworld
1938
as Henchman Johnny
Go Chase Yourself
1938
as Warren Miles
This Marriage Business
1938
as "Candid" Perry
Condemned Women
1938
as Plainclothes Policeman
Maid's Night Out
1938
as Rollercoaster Ride Attendant (uncredited)
Night Spot
1938
as Shallen
Bringing Up Baby
1938
as Circus Roustabout (uncredited)
Everybody's Doing It
1938
as Detective Lieutenant
Crashing Hollywood
1938
as Dickson
She's Got Everything
1937
as Ransome (uncredited)
Quick Money
1937
as Coach Woodford
Harris in the Spring
1937
as Taxicab Driver
A Rented Riot
1937
High Flyers
1937
as Dave Hanlon
Stand-In
1937
as Tom Potts
Stage Door
1937
as Mr. Milbanks
Music for Madame
1937
as Assistant Director
On Again—Off Again
1937
as Cop
Too Many Wives
1937
as Hodges
You Only Live Once
1937
as Attendant in First Gas Station