Charles Coburn
Acting
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.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
as Sir Francis 'Piggy' Beekman
Age 76 (now 84)
The Devil and Miss Jones
as John P. Merrick/Thomas Higgins
Age 63 (now 84)
Has Anybody Seen My Gal?
as Samuel Fulton / John Smith
Age 75 (now 84)
Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line
as Self (archive footage)
Age 119 (now 84)
The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker
as Grampa Pennypacker
Age 81 (now 84)
How to Murder a Rich Uncle
as Uncle George Clitterbern
Age 79 (now 84)
Around the World in 80 Days
as Steamship Company Clerk
Age 79 (now 84)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
as Sir Francis 'Piggy' Beekman
Age 76 (now 84)
Trouble Along the Way
as le Père Matthew William Burke
Age 75 (now 84) Has Anybody Seen My Gal?
as Samuel Fulton / John Smith
Age 75 (now 84)
The Gal Who Took the West
as General Michael O'Hara
Age 72 (now 84)
Colonel Effingham's Raid
as Colonel Will Seaborn Effingham
Age 68 (now 84)
George Washington Slept Here
as Stanley Menninger
Age 65 (now 84)
The Devil and Miss Jones
as John P. Merrick/Thomas Higgins
Age 63 (now 84)
The Story of Alexander Graham Bell
as Gardner Hubbard
Age 61 (now 84)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
Charles Douville Coburn
IMDB
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