Charles Duvil Coburn is an American theater, television film actor, director and producer. In 1944 he won an Oscar for his supporting role in the film The More, the More Fun. Two more nominations for this award brought him roles in the films The Devil and Miss Jones and Young Years.
Coburn devoted most of his life to the stage. Only when he was 60 years old, the artist agreed to sign a contract to shoot in Hollywood. He was a character actor with an inimitable charm, charisma and old southern mannerisms.
Its hallmarks were the famous monocle and cigar. The actor himself has said more than once that a monocle is not pretense or posturing, but a necessity. He saw no point in wearing glasses, because he could hardly see with only one eye.
In the creative biography of Charles, there are more than a hundred film roles. He has starred in 5 Oscar-nominated films.
His contribution to the development of cinema was appreciated. In 1960, Coburn's personalized star was discovered on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at number 6268.
Biography facts
Charles was born in America in the summer of 1877 in the family of Emma Louise Sprigman and Moses Duville Coburn. Among his ancestors were representatives of the Jewish nationality, as well as immigrants from Scotland and Ireland. Although he was born in the state of Georgia, many believed that he was originally from England.
In early childhood, the family lived near a burlesque theater. The boy's father categorically forbade his son to approach even the building itself, because, in his opinion, he could see there something that he should not see at all. But, of course, as soon as the opportunity presented itself, Charles went to a forbidden place, made his way backstage and saw his father on the stage. So the secret was revealed, and the further fate of Coburn was inextricably linked with the theater.
In his interviews, Charles has repeatedly told reporters how his creative career began. When he was a teenager, he worked part-time on the street by distributing theater programs. Then he got a job as a doorman and cloakroom attendant in one of the theaters. At the age of 18, he was already the manager and then the manager of this institution.
Gradually, Charles became more and more attracted to acting. He began performing on stage himself, and in 1901 made his debut in the Broadway production of Up York State.
The actor played in the theater from 1901 to 1955. He most recently appeared in You Can't Take It With You by JS Aaufman and M. Hart at the Kenley Players in Bristol.
In 1905, together with his future wife Iva, he founded a repertoire troupe. In addition to running the company, Charles and Iva continued to perform on Broadway.
In 1928, Coburn opened his own Coburn Players Theater in Manhattan. A year later, an economic crisis hit America and the Great Depression began. The actors were having a hard time, so soon Coburn was forced to declare bankruptcy. In 1932 the theater was closed.
The actor was known not only for his work, but also for his conservative political views. He became vice president of the Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals (MPAPAI), a group of high-level representatives of the film industry. The alliance was formed in 1944 with the goal of protecting Hollywood from the infiltration of proselytism. In the 1950s, the Alliance worked closely with the House Un-American Activities Committee, which was set up to combat anti-American propaganda.
Film career
The first time on the screen, Coburn appeared in 1935 in the film "Enemy of the People." But he began to act constantly in Hollywood only after the death of his first wife, Iva Willis, who passed away in 1937.
At the time of signing the first contract with the studio, the actor was 60 years old. Despite his age, he was able to quickly gain popularity with viewers and star in many famous films. He has over a hundred roles in his cinematic career. He became an Oscar nominee three times, but won only one victory in 1944.
In 1938, the drama "Out of Human Hearts", directed by Clarence Brown, was released in which Charles played a minor role.
The film is set shortly before the start of the civil war in the United States. Ethan Wilkins is a preacher. He is committed to helping people cope with their mental suffering. His son Jason also wants to help people, but only for this he is going to become a doctor.
In the further career of the actor, there were roles in the popular films in those years: "The Living Lady", "Lord Jeff", "Made for Each Other", "Single Mother", "Only in Words", "The Road to Singapore", "Lady Eve "," The Devil and Miss Jones "," King Row "," This is Our Life "," Faithful Nymph "," Heaven Can Wait "," Wilson "," Seduced "," Blow "," Has anyone seen My Girl, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Monkey Tricks, Steel Hour of the United States, Around the World in 80 Days, Intimate Portrait.
In 1942, the performer was nominated for an Oscar for the first time, playing a minor role in The Devil and Miss Jones. He won the prestigious award in 1944 in the category "Best Actor in a Supporting Role". This award was brought to him by his work in the film "The more, the more fun." In 1947, he was again nominated for an Oscar, playing in the film "Young Years".
Personal life
Coburn has been married twice. He entered into his first marriage with theater actress Iva Myrtle Willis in January 1906. The husband and wife have lived together for 30 years. During this time, they had 6 children. Quince died on April 27, 1937 from heart failure.
The second wife was Winifred Natske, who was 40 years younger than her husband. The wedding took place in October 1959. Their union was short-lived. In August 1961, Coburn passed away. The cause of death was a heart attack.
