
Jack Carson
Biography
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.
Acting (106 movies)

Arsenic and Old Lace
1944

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
1958

Bringing Up Baby
1938

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
1939

A Star Is Born
1954

Mildred Pierce
1945

Love Crazy
1941

My Dream Is Yours
1949

Mr. & Mrs. Smith
1941

Princess O'Rourke
1943

It's a Great Feeling
1949

Blues in the Night
1941

The Hard Way
1943

Carefree
1938

The Bride Came C.O.D.
1941

A Rented Riot
1937

King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothstein
1961

Dangerous When Wet
1953

Romance on the High Seas
1948

Thank Your Lucky Stars
1943

Gentleman Jim
1942

Destry Rides Again
1939

Stage Door
1937

The Tarnished Angels
1957

Hollywood Canteen
1944

Girl in 313
1940

Having Wonderful Time
1938

The Saint in New York
1938

Phffft
1954

Larceny, Inc.
1942

The Male Animal
1942

Bright Leaf
1950

Make Your Own Bed
1944

The Strawberry Blonde
1941

The Tattered Dress
1957

The Doughgirls
1944

The Good Humor Man
1950

Wings for the Eagle
1942

The Groom Wore Spurs
1951

The Time, The Place and The Girl
1946

Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!
1958

The Bottom of the Bottle
1956

Queen of the Mob
1940

Red Garters
1954

Roughly Speaking
1945

Lucky Partners
1940

Stand-In
1937

April Showers
1948

The Bramble Bush
1960

This Marriage Business
1938

Law of the Underworld
1938

Typhoon
1940

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983

Love Thy Neighbor
1940

The Children of Alda Nuova
1962

Too Many Wives
1937

Maid's Night Out
1938

Mr. Doodle Kicks Off
1938

Go Chase Yourself
1938

Love and Learn
1947

Two Guys from Texas
1948

The Shining Future
1944

Two Guys from Milwaukee
1946

Shooting High
1940

Going Hollywood: The '30s
1984

She's Got Everything
1937

Quick Money
1937

High Flyers
1937

Crashing Hollywood
1938

Night Spot
1938

John Loves Mary
1949

One More Tomorrow
1946

Shine on Harvest Moon
1944

Who Killed Julie Greer?
1961

The Escape
1939

Navy Blues
1941

On Again—Off Again
1937

Condemned Women
1938

Ain't Misbehavin'
1955

Everybody's Doing It
1938

Alias the Deacon
1940

Fifth Avenue Girl
1939

Parole Fixer
1940

The Kid From Texas
1939

I Take This Woman
1940

Always Together
1947

Enemy Agent
1940

Breakdowns of 1941
1941

Mister Universe
1951

City of Chance
1940

Sammy, the Way-Out Seal
1962

Harris in the Spring
1937

You Only Live Once
1937

Vivacious Lady
1938

Music for Madame
1937

Magnificent Roughnecks
1956

Food and Magic
1943

A Star Is Born World Premiere
1954

Breakdowns of 1944
1944

Sandy Gets Her Man
1940
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