Jack Carson
Acting
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.
James Stewart: A Wonderful Life
as Self (archive footage)
Age 76 (now 52)
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Age 72 (now 52)Bob Hope's World of Comedy
as Self - Tribute Montage (archive footage)
Age 66 (now 52)
King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein
as Timothy W. 'Big Tim' O'Brien
Age 50 (now 52)
So You Want to Be in Pictures
as Man Giving Directions (uncredited)
Age 36 (now 52)
The Time, The Place and The Girl
as Jeff Howard
Age 36 (now 52)
Breakdowns of 1941
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Age 31 (now 52)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
as Sweeney Farrell (uncredited)
Age 28 (now 52)
Next Time I Marry
as Radio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
Age 28 (now 52)
Maid's Night Out
as Rollercoaster Ride Attendant (uncredited)
Age 27 (now 52)
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
as Sundown Smith
Age 45 (now 52)
Screen Director's Playhouse
as Lamar Kendall
Age 44 (now 52)
The Wonderful World of Disney
as Harold Sylvester
Age 44 (now 52)
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
as Harry Mauldron
Age 40 (now 52)
Gathering insights...
Also Known As
John Elmer Carson
IMDB
nm0007217