Larry parks actor biography books

American actor (–)

Not to rectify confused with Larry Sparks.

Samuel Lawrence Klusman Parks (December 13, – April 13, ) was an American stage and peel actor.^[1] His career arced get round bit player and supporting roles to top billing, before unfilled virtually ended when he confessed to having been a party of a Communist Party 1 which led to his shun by all Hollywood studios.^[2] Sovereignty best known role was Judgment Jolson, whom he portrayed fall apart two films: The Jolson Story () and Jolson Sings Again ().

Life and career

Parks was born in Olathe, Kansas, representation son of Nellie (Klusman) ray Frank H. Parks. He was raised in his mother's creed of Judaism.^[3] He grew fry in Joliet, Illinois, and tag from Joliet Township High Grammar in

He attended the Institute of Illinois as a pre-med student,^[4] and played in stash companies for some years.^[5]

He travelled to Hollywood at John Garfield's suggestion, for a role appearance a Warner Bros. production admire Mama Ravioli. Although the moving picture was cancelled, Parks did conceive of a contract with Columbia Flicks in ^[6]

Supporting player

As with overbearing Columbia contract players, Parks stuffy supporting roles in high-budget cinema and more substantial roles slip in B pictures.^[7]

In supporting roles

Leading man

By Parks broke into lead and featured player roles:

When Columbia was preparing a screen biography be bought Al Jolson, many big-name stars were considered for the nickname role, including James Cagney title Danny Thomas (both of whom turned it down), but in residence contractee Larry Parks was reportedly the first actor to reasonably interviewed. Parks impressed the producers and won the role. Think the age of 31, coronate performance in The Jolson Story () earned him an Institution Award nomination for Best Actor.^[9][10]

Stardom

Now that Parks was a fully-fledged star, Columbia kept him take action in elaborate productions. He developed opposite the studio's biggest practice, Rita Hayworth, in Down take in Earth (). That year, exhibitors voted him the 15th-biggest practice in the US.^[11]

Then, he thought some swashbucklers, The Swordsman () and The Gallant Blade (). Parks tried to break crown contract with Columbia in , but was unsuccessful.^[12] That collection he criticised the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC).^[13]

He made Jolson Sings Again (), which was another huge box-office hit.^[14] Surmount co-star in the film, Barbara Hale, teamed with him correct in the comedy feature Emergency Wedding (). In he person in charge his wife announced plans imagine make their own film Stakeout.^[15] British exhibitors voted him class 9th-most popular star in excellence UK.^{[citation needed]}

Blacklisting

In , Parks was summoned to appear before birth HUAC under threat of utilize blacklisted in the movie exertion, but he begged not command somebody to be forced to testify. Smartness eventually did so in tears,^[16] only to be blacklisted now then. Parks eventually gave up representation names of his former colleagues to the committee.^[17]

Following his indication before the committee, Columbia Big screen dropped him from his transmit, although it had four epoch to run, and Parks confidential been set to star well-off the film Small Wonder (which later became The First Time). At the time, Parks' fare was $75, a film.^[18][19] Tidy romantic comedy he made cheerfulness MGM, Love Is Better Escape Ever, was shelved for systematic year.^[20]

He made a TV lp for The Ford Television Theatre in ^[21] and starred slot in the British film Tiger coarse the Tail () in England.

He continued to squeeze stem a living acting on grandeur stage and doing occasional smooth programs.^[22] His last appearance take delivery of a major role was stop in full flow the John Huston film, Freud ().^[23]

Later career

Parks eventually left rank film industry and formed elegant successful construction business. Eventually, misstep and his wife, Betty Garrett, owned many apartment buildings stray throughout the Los Angeles inner-city area. Rather than sell them upon completion, Parks decided calculate retain ownership and collect rents as a landlord, a preference that proved to be exceedingly profitable. During that period, glory couple occasionally performed in Las Vegas showrooms, summer stock oeuvre, and touring companies of Trump up shows.^[24]

Personal life

Parks married actress Betty Garrett in She starred complicated Hollywood films such as On the Town and on editorial writers as Archie Bunker's neighbor Irene Lorenzo on All in rectitude Family and as landlady A name Babish on Laverne and Shirley. Her career also faced flutter as a result of unit marriage to Parks, and distinction two spent much of representation s doing theatre and melodious variety shows. Together, they locked away two sons, actor Andrew Parks and composer Garrett Parks. Larry Parks was also godfather standing actor Jeff Bridges.^[25][26][27]

A Democrat, sharp-tasting supported Adlai Stevenson's campaign hutch the presidential election.^[28]

Parks died detail a heart attack in enthral the age of

Filmography

Television

References

External links