Hume Cronyn
From Alfred Hitchcock Wiki
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- born: 18/Jul/1911 (London, Ontario, Canada)
- died: 15/Jun/2003 (Fairfield, Connecticut, USA) - prostate cancer
Biography
Early years
He was born in London, Ontario, Canada, one of five children of Hume Blake Cronyn, a businessman and a Member of Parliament for London, and his wife Frances Amelia Labatt, an heiress of the brewing company of the same name.
His grandfather was Verschoyle Cronin. His great-grandfather was Bishop Benjamin Cronyn, founder of Huron College at the University of Western Ontario. His great-uncle Benjamin Jr. was both a prominent citizen and early mayor of London, Ontario. Benjamin Jr. was later indicted for fraud and fled to Vermont. During his tenure in London he built a mansion called Oakwood, which currently serves as the head office of the Info-Tech Research Group.
Stage career
Hume Cronyn studied drama at McGill University, and continued his acting studies under Max Reinhardt and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 1934, he made his Broadway debut as a janitor in "Hipper's Holiday" and became known for his versatility, playing a number of different roles on stage.
Film career
His initial Hollywood film was in 1943 in Alfred Hitchcock's "Shadow of a Doubt". He later appeared in that director's "Lifeboat" and was a writer for the screenplays of "Rope" and "Under Capricorn". He was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his performance in "The Seventh Cross" in 1944.
Personal life
Cronyn was married to actress Jessica Tandy from 1942 until her death in 1994, and appeared with her in many of their more memorable dramatic stage, film and TV outings, including "The Gin Game", "Foxfire", "Cocoon" and "Cocoon: The Return".
He became an American citizen in 1966. In 1988, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
His 1991 autobiography was called "A Terrible Liar".
Hume Cronyn married author Susan Cooper in July 1996. He died at age 91 of prostate cancer at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Filmography
With Hitchcock...
- Shadow of a Doubt (1943) - cast: Herbie Hawkins
- Lifeboat (1944) - cast: Stanley Garrett
- Rope (1948) - writer
- Under Capricorn (1949) - writer
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Kill with Kindness (21/Oct/1956) - cast: Fitzhugh Oldham
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents - The Impromptu Murder (22/Jun/1958) - cast: Henry Daw
Other major works...
- The Seventh Cross (1944)
- The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)
- Brute Force (1947)
- People Will Talk (1951)
- The Parallax View (1974)
- Honky Tonk Freeway (1981)
- The World According to Garp (1982)
- Cocoon (1985)
Documentaries
He has appeared in the following Hitchcockian documentaries...
Articles
Links
- Internet Movie Database
- The Guardian - Obituary: Hume Cronyn (Jun/18/2003)
Image Gallery
Images from the Hitchcock Gallery (click to view larger versions or search for all relevant images)...