Hume Cronyn

Cronyn in the 1950s
Born
Hume Blake Cronyn Jr.

(1911-07-18)July 18, 1911
DiedJune 15, 2003(2003-06-15) (aged 91)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
Years active1934–2001
Spouses
Emily Woodruff
(m. 1934; div. 1936)
    (m. 1942; died 1994)
      (m. 1996)
      Children2
      ParentHume Cronyn Sr. (father)
      Relatives

      Hume Blake Cronyn Jr. OC (July 18, 1911 – June 15, 2003) was a Canadian-American actor and writer.

      Early life

      Cronyn, one of five children, was born in London, Ontario, Canada. His father, Hume Blake Cronyn Sr., was a businessman and a Member of Parliament for London (after whom the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory at Western University, then known as The University of Western Ontario and asteroid (12050) Humecronyn are named). His mother, Frances Amelia (née Labatt), was an heiress of the brewing company of the same name; as the daughter of John Labatt and the granddaughter of John Kinder Labatt.[1] Cronyn's paternal great-grandfather, Right Reverend Benjamin Cronyn, an Anglican cleric of the Anglo-Irish Protestant Ascendancy, served as the first bishop of the Anglican diocese of Huron and founded Huron College, from which grew the University of Western Ontario.

      His great-uncle, Benjamin, Jr., was both a prominent citizen and early mayor of London, Ontario, but 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. Cronyn was also a cousin of Canadian-born theater producer, Robert Whitehead, and a first cousin of the Canadian-British artist Hugh Verschoyle Cronyn GM (1905–1996).

      Cronyn was the first Elmwood School boarder in Ottawa (at the time Elmwood was called Rockliffe Preparatory School) and boarded at Elmwood between 1917 and 1921. After leaving Elmwood, Cronyn went to Ridley College in St. Catharines, and McGill University in Montreal, where he became a member of The Kappa Alpha Society. Early in life, Cronyn was an amateur featherweight boxer, having the skills to be nominated for Canada's 1932 Olympic Boxing team.

      Career

      Subsequent to graduating from Ridley College, Cronyn switched majors, from pre-law to drama, while attending McGill University, and continued his acting studies thereafter, under Max Reinhardt and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 1934, the same year he joined The Lambs, 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. He won a Drama Desk Special Award in 1986. In 1990, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts.[2]

      His first Hollywood film was Alfred Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt (1943). He later appeared in Hitchcock's Lifeboat (1944) and worked on the screenplays of Rope (1948) and Under Capricorn (1949). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Seventh Cross (1944) and won a Tony Award for his performance as Polonius opposite Richard Burton's Hamlet (1964). Cronyn bought the screenplay What Nancy Wanted from Norma Barzman, who was later blacklisted with her husband Ben Barzman, with the idea of producing the film and starring Tandy. However, he sold the screenplay to RKO which later filmed it as The Locket (1946). Cronyn also made appearances in television, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, the Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode "Kill With Kindness" (1956) and Hawaii Five-O episodes "Over Fifty? Steal" (1970) and "Odd Man In" (1971).[3]

      Cronyn starred with his second wife Jessica Tandy in a short-lived (1953–1954) radio series, The Marriage (based on their earlier Broadway play, The Fourposter), playing New York attorney Ben Marriott and his wife, former fashion buyer Liz, struggling with her switch to domestic life and their raising an awkward teenage daughter (future soap opera star Denise Alexander). The show was scheduled to move from radio to television, with Cronyn producing as well as acting in the show. However, Tandy suffered a miscarriage and the show's debut was delayed a week. The series, which was the first situation comedy broadcast in color, premiered in July 1954 to "warm and enthusiastic reviews"; eight episodes were aired.[4]

      The couple also appeared in many memorable dramatic stage, film and television outings, including The Seventh Cross (1944), The Green Years (1946), The Gin Game (1977), Honky Tonk Freeway (1981), The World According to Garp (1982), Cocoon (1985), the television film Foxfire (1987), *batteries not included (1987), Cocoon: The Return (1988), To Dance with the White Dog (1993) and Camilla (1994).

      Cronyn had an association with the Stratford Festival as a member of both the acting company and its board of governors. He played Shylock in The Merchant of Venice in 1976, and debuted his play Foxfire in 1980.[5][6][7] The play would later move to Broadway (and won Tandy a Best Actress Tony award), and a film version was made in 1987.[8]

      In 1990 he won an Emmy award for his role in the TV Movie Age Old Friends.[9] His later appearances included the films The Pelican Brief (1993) and Marvin's Room (1996).

      Marriages and family

      Cronyn's first marriage was to the philanthropist Emily Woodruff in late 1934 or early 1935. They shared a "lavender marriage" and never lived together. Woodruff insisted that the marriage remain a secret because of her lesbian relationships. They quietly divorced in 1936.[10][11]

      Cronyn married the actress Jessica Tandy in 1942. The couple had a daughter, Tandy, and a son, Christopher. Cronyn and Tandy lived in the Bahamas, then at a lakeside estate in Pound Ridge, New York, and, finally, in Easton, Connecticut.[12] Jessica Tandy died in 1994, aged 85, from ovarian cancer.

      After he was widowed, Cronyn married author/playwright Susan Cooper (with whom he had co-written Foxfire) in July 1996. His 1991 autobiography, which covered his life and career up to the mid-1960s, was titled A Terrible Liar (ISBN 0-688-12844-0). His intention to write a second volume never materialized.

      Death

      Cronyn died on June 15, 2003, from prostate cancer aged 91.[13][14]

      Honours

      In 1979, Cronyn was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.[15][16] On July 11, 1988, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada, giving him the post nominal letters "OC" for life.[17]

      Cronyn was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 1999.[18][19] He also received the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal in 1992 and the Canadian version of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.[20]

      He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LLD) by the University of Western Ontario on October 26, 1974. His wife, Jessica Tandy, was given the same degree on the same day.[21]

      Filmography

      Film

      YearTitleRoleNotes
      1943Shadow of a DoubtHerbie Hawkins
      Phantom of the OperaGerard
      The Cross of LorraineDuval
      1944LifeboatStanley 'Sparks' Garrett
      The Seventh CrossPaul RoederNominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
      Blonde FeverDiner at InnUncredited
      1945Main Street After DarkKeller
      Ziegfeld FolliesMonty('A Sweepstakes Ticket')
      The Sailor Takes a WifeFreddie Potts
      1946A Letter for EvieJohn Phineas McPherson
      The Green YearsPapa Leckie
      The Postman Always Rings TwiceArthur Keats
      The Secret HeartDinner Party GuestVoice, Uncredited
      1947The Beginning or the EndDr. J. Robert Oppenheimer
      Brute ForceCapt. Munsey
      1948The Bride Goes WildJohn McGrath
      1949Top o' the MorningHughie Devine
      1951People Will TalkProf. Rodney Elwell
      1956Crowded ParadiseGeorge Heath
      1960Sunrise at CampobelloLouis Howe
      1963CleopatraSosigenes
      1964Richard Burton's HamletPolonius
      1969The ArrangementArthur Houghton
      Gaily, GailyTom Grogan
      1970There Was a Crooked Man...Dudley Whinner
      1974ConrackMr. Skeffington
      The Parallax ViewBill Rintels
      1981Honky Tonk FreewaySherm
      RolloverMaxwell Emery
      1982The World According to GarpMr. Fields
      1984ImpulseDr. Carr
      1985Brewster's MillionsRupert Horn
      CocoonJoe FinleyNominated—Saturn Award for Best Actor
      1987*batteries not includedFrank Riley
      1988Cocoon: The ReturnJoe FinleyNominated—Saturn Award for Best Actor
      1993The Pelican BriefJustice Rosenberg
      1994CamillaEwald
      1996Marvin's RoomMarvinNominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
      2001Off SeasonSam Clausner

      Television

      YearTitleRoleNotes
      1949The Ford Theatre HourHugo BarnsteadEpisode: "Once Sunday Afternoon"
      1949SuspenseDr. VioletEpisode: "Dr. Violet"
      1950The Ford Theatre HourHarry BinionEpisode: "Room Service"
      1950SuspenseSig2 episodes
      1950Pulitzer Prize PlayhouseCharles PonziEpisode: "The Ponzi Story"
      1950The Philco-Goodyear Television PlayhouseEpisode: "The Reluctant Landlord"
      1953OmnibusBartenderEpisode: "Glory in the Flower"
      1954The Motorola Television HourAnthony UpdykeEpisode: "The Family Man"
      1954The MarriageBen Marriott8 episodes
      1955Producers' ShowcaseMichaelEpisode: "The Fourposter"
      1955OmnibusHarold 'Mitch' MitchellEpisode: "Advice to Bathers"
      1955The Philco-Goodyear Television PlayhouseBen MarriottEpisode: "Christmas 'til Closing"
      1956The United States Steel HourPriam FarllEpisode: "The Great Adventure"
      1956Climax!Reverend Mr. MuldoonEpisode: "The Fifth Wheel"
      1956Alfred Hitchcock PresentsFitzhugh OldhamSeason 2 Episode 4: "Kill with Kindness"
      1958Alfred Hitchcock PresentsHenry DawSeason 3 Episode 38: "The Impromptu Murder"
      1959The Moon and SixpenceDirk StroeveTelevision film
      1959A Doll's HouseNils KrogstadTelevision film
      1960Juno and the PaycockTelevision film
      1970–1971Hawaii Five-OLewis Avery Filer2 episodes
      1981The Gin GameWeller MartinTelevision film
      1987FoxfireHector NationsTelevision film
      Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
      1989Day OneJames F. ByrnesTelevision film
      1989Age-Old FriendsJohn CooperTelevision film
      CableACE Award for Best Actor in a Movie or Miniseries
      Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
      1991Christmas on Division StreetCleveland MeriwetherTelevision film
      Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
      1992Broadway BoundBenTelevision film
      Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
      Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
      1993To Dance with the White DogRobert Samuel PeekTelevision film
      Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
      1995People: A Musical Celebration Of DiversityGrandpa (voice)Television film
      199712 Angry MenJuror #9Television film
      Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
      1997AloneJohn WebbTelevision film
      1998Seasons of LoveLonzoTelevision film
      1999Sea PeopleMr. John McRaeTelevision film
      1999Santa and PeteSaint NickTelevision film
      2000Yesterday's ChildrenOld Sunny SuttonTelevision film

      Stage

      • Hipper's Holiday – 1934
      • High Tor – 1937
      • There's Always a Breeze – 1938
      • Escape This Night – 1938
      • Off to Buffalo – 1939
      • Three Sisters – 1939
      • The Weak Link – 1940
      • Retreat to Pleasure – 1940
      • Mr. Big – 1941
      • Portrait of a Madonna – 1946 (Director)
      • The Survivors – 1948
      • Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep – 1950
      • Hilda Crane – 1950
      • The Little Blue Light – 1951
      • The Fourposter – 1951
      • The Honeys – 1955
      • A Day by the Sea – 1955
      • The Egghead – 1957
      • The Man in the Dog Suit – 1958
      • Triple Play – 1959
      • Big Fish, Little Fish – 1961
      • Hamlet – 1964 (Tony Award for role of Polonius)
      • The Physicists – 1964
      • Slow Dance on the Killing Ground – 1964
      • A Delicate Balance – 1966
      • Promenade, All! – 1972
      • Noël Coward in Two Keys – 1974
      • The Gin Game – 1977 (performed, produced)
      • Foxfire – 1982 (performed, wrote play and lyrics)
      • The Petition – 1986

      Radio appearances

      YearProgramEpisode/source
      1945Suspense"Double Entry"[22]
      1946Suspense"Blue Eyes"[23]
      1946SuspenseThe One Who Got Away[24]
      1952Philip Morris PlayhouseOne Sunday Afternoon[25]

      Book

      • A Terrible Liar: A Memoir (1991) – ISBN 0-688-12844-0

      References

      1. "Site of Woodfield 1846–1968 | London Public Library". www.londonpubliclibrary.ca. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019.
      2. "Lifetime Honors: National Medal of Arts". Archived from the original on March 4, 2010. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
      3. Cronyn-Tandy Collection at the Library of Congress
      4. Cronyn, Hume (1991). Terrible Liar. New York: William Morrow and Company. pp. 254–256. ISBN 0-688-12844-0.
      5. "Hume Cronyn acting credits". Stratford Festival Archives. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
      6. Blackadar, Bruce (May 10, 1980). "Hume Cronyn turns playwright with Foxfire". The Toronto Star. p. F1.
      7. Martin Knelman, A Stratford Tempest. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1982; ISBN 0-7710-4542-5.
      8. Rich, Frank.Review/Theater; Jessica Tandy in Foxfire" Archived 2015-05-24 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times, November 12, 1982
      9. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present. Ballantine Books. 2013. p. 1440. ISBN 978-0-345-45542-0.
      10. "Hume Cronyn – Internet Accuracy Project". accuracyproject.org. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
      11. Cronyn, Hume. "Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy papers, 1885–2007". loc.gov. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
      12. Gussow, Mel (May 26, 1994). "AT HOME WITH: Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy; The Driven Mr. and Mrs. Daisy". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
      13. Fairfield, Connecticut (June 18, 2003). "Hume Cronyn dead aged 91". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
      14. Berger, Marilyn (June 16, 2003). "Hume Cronyn, Compelling Actor of Stage and Screen, Dies at 91". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
      15. "Overview for Hume Cronyn". Tcm.com. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
      16. "American Theatre Hall of Fame official website". Theater Hall of Fame. November 23, 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
      17. "The Governor General of Canada Find a Recipient". Gg.ca. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
      18. "Canada's Walk of Fame—Hume Cronyn". Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
      19. "Hume Cronyn profile". Canadaswalkoffame.com. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
      20. "The Governor General of Canada > Find a Recipient". Gg.ca. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
      21. "The University of Western Ontario: Honorary Degrees Awarded, 1881–present" (PDF). Uwo.ca. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
      22. "Suspense - Double Entry". Escape and Suspense!. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
      23. "Suspense". Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
      24. "Suspense". Harrisburg Telegraph. Harrisburg Telegraph. November 9, 1946. p. 19. Retrieved September 15, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
      25. Kirby, Walter (February 24, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 38. Retrieved May 28, 2015 via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
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