
Charles Coburn
Born June 18, 1877 · Macon, Georgia, USA
Charles Douville Coburn (June 19, 1877 – August 30, 1961) was an American film and theatre actor. Best known for his work in comedies, Coburn received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for 1943's The More the Merrier. Coburn was born in Macon, Georgia, the son of Scotch-Irish Americans Emma Louise Sprigman (May 11, 1838 Springfield, Ohio – November 12, 1896 Savannah, Georgia) and Moses Douville Coburn (April 27, 1834 Savannah, Georgia – December 27, 1902 Savannah, Georgia). Growing up in Savannah, he started out at age 14 doing odd jobs at the local Savannah Theater, handing out programs, ushering, or being the doorman. By age 17 or 18, he was the theater manager. He later became an actor, making his debut on Broadway in 1901. Coburn formed an acting company with actress Ivah Wills in 1905. They married in 1906. In addition to managing the company, the couple performed frequently on Broadway. After his wife's death in 1937, Coburn relocated to Los Angeles, California and began film work. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a retired millionaire playing Cupid in The More the Merrier in 1943. He was also nominated for The Devil and Miss Jones in 1941 and The Green Years in 1946. Other notable film credits include Of Human Hearts (1938), The Lady Eve (1941), Kings Row (1942), The Constant Nymph (1943), Heaven Can Wait (1943), Wilson (1944), Impact (1949), The Paradine Case (1947), Everybody Does It (1950), Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952), Monkey Business (1952), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), and John Paul Jones (1959). He usually played comedic parts, but Kings Row and Wilson were dramatic parts, showing his versatility. For his contributions to motion pictures, in 1960, Coburn was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6268 Hollywood Boulevard.
Notable Appearances
More Movies

Heaven Can Wait

The Story of Alexander Graham Bell

The Paradine Case

Vivacious Lady

The Lady Eve

John Paul Jones

The More the Merrier

Edison, the Man

The Devil and Miss Jones

The Story of Mankind

Yes Sir, That's My Baby

In This Our Life

Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line

How to Be Very, Very Popular

H.M. Pulham, Esq.

Idiot's Delight

Bachelor Mother

Trouble Along the Way

Has Anybody Seen My Gal?

Pepe

The Constant Nymph

The Doctor and the Girl

Road to Singapore

George Washington Slept Here

The Gal Who Took the West

A Stranger in My Arms

Lured

Over 21

Our Wife

B.F.'s Daughter

In Name Only

The Long Wait

It's Showtime

Knickerbocker Holiday

Shady Lady

Impact

A Royal Scandal

The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker

Wilson

The Power and the Prize

Green Grass of Wyoming

Of Human Hearts

Kings Row

Rhapsody in Blue

Three Faces West

Mr. Music

The Captain is a Lady

My Kingdom for a Cook

Princess O'Rourke

Stanley and Livingstone

Florian

Breakdowns of 1942

The Green Years

Colonel Effingham's Raid

The People's Enemy

How to Murder a Rich Uncle

Town on Trial

Together Again

Peggy

Everybody Does It

Louisa

The Rocket Man

The Impatient Years

Lord Jeff

The Highwayman

Yellow Jack












