
Jack Carson
Born October 27, 1910 · Carman, Manitoba, Canada
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.
Notable Appearances
Movies

A Star Is Born

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Arsenic and Old Lace

Bringing Up Baby

Mildred Pierce

You Only Live Once

Vivacious Lady

Destry Rides Again

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Romance on the High Seas

My Dream Is Yours

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein

Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!

Stage Door

Sammy, the Way-Out Seal

The Tarnished Angels

Thank Your Lucky Stars
TV Shows

The Twilight Zone

Studio One

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre

The Steve Allen Show

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

The Colgate Comedy Hour

Thriller

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show

The Ford Television Theatre

The Bob Cummings Show

Startime

This Is Your Life

Your Show of Shows

Alcoa Theatre

Screen Director's Playhouse

Bus Stop

The Wonderful World of Disney

General Electric Theater

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
More Movies

It's a Great Feeling

The Saint in New York

Bright Leaf

James Stewart: A Wonderful Life

Blues in the Night

Mister Universe

Love Crazy

Going Hollywood: The '30s

The Bride Came C.O.D.

The Good Humor Man

I Take This Woman

Make Your Own Bed

She's Got Everything

Hollywood Canteen

A Star Is Born World Premiere

The Bottom of the Bottle

The Kid From Texas

Dangerous When Wet

Shine on Harvest Moon

The Time, The Place and The Girl

Everybody's Doing It

Maid's Night Out

Gentleman Jim

Who Killed Julie Greer?

Queen of the Mob

Fifth Avenue Girl

The Strawberry Blonde

Two Guys from Texas

Two Guys from Milwaukee

Next Time I Marry

Law of the Underworld

The Groom Wore Spurs

Phffft

The Tattered Dress

The Male Animal

Larceny, Inc.

Mr. Doodle Kicks Off

On Again—Off Again

The Doughgirls

The Children of Alda Nuova

The Honeymoon's Over

The Hard Way

Okay for Sound

Music for Madame

Sandy Gets Her Man

Breakdowns of 1942

The Bramble Bush

Princess O'Rourke

Three Men on a Horse

Carefree

I Don't Even Like Apple Pie...

Breakdowns of 1941

Ain't Misbehavin'

Legion of Lost Flyers

Always Together

Stand-In

Wings for the Eagle

Navy Blues

Lucky Partners

Breakdowns of 1944

Roughly Speaking

Alias the Deacon

April Showers

Go Chase Yourself

Love and Learn

The Escape

Having Wonderful Time

City of Chance

Parole Fixer

John Loves Mary

This Marriage Business

Magnificent Roughnecks

Too Many Wives

Night Spot

Harris in the Spring

One More Tomorrow

Red Garters

Crashing Hollywood

Girl in 313

High Flyers

The Shining Future

Love Thy Neighbor

Enemy Agent

Typhoon

Shooting High

Arroyo

Condemned Women

Quick Money

Food and Magic




