MovieChat Forums > Them! (1954) Discussion > James Whitmore, star of 'Them!', dies

James Whitmore, star of 'Them!', dies

posted 15 years ago by hobnob53
10 replies | jump to latest

Actor James Whitmore has died in Los Angeles of cancer. Whitmore passed away on February 6, 2009, at age 87. Born October 1, 1921.

Them! (as the title more or less appears in the movie) was one of Whitmore's relatively few leading roles in a career that spanned over 60 years, on stage, film and television. A great actor, twice nominated for Academy Awards, exceptionally versatile. He will be greatly missed, but always remembered -- and thanks to film, we and those who come after us will continue to enjoy his performances for decades (and more) to come.

RIP -- "Sgt. Ben Peterson". One of his best roles.

[–] lrcdmnhd72 15 years ago

Agreed!

[–] chocolatepiazza 15 years ago

I loved him in Them. It was one of many great roles, but has always been one of my favorites.

http://kevan.org/brain.cgi?HuckleberryBeej.

[–] c-huddleston 15 years ago

Totally agree.

He played Ben Petersen perfectly, and the year before, in Kiss Me Kate, a very different part as a hoodlum. "Brush up your Shakespeare" - brilliant.

[–] semsox 15 years ago

Just watched him in the movie "Tora Tora Tora" I didn't realise he was in that movie until today. He plays Admiral William F. Halsey.

[–] radiodaze 15 years ago

And the old convict in "The Shawshank Redemption"

[–] Dave_at_23 14 years ago

Interesting how long it took on this board to mantion Whitmore's turn as Brooks Hatlen in the Shawshank Redemption, which in my opinion, is one of Whitmore's BEST performances, Oscar-worthy but unawarded!!!!!

[–] Grendel1950 14 years ago

I'm old, so I go back even further with Whitmore. He was the tough diner cook in "Asphalt Jungle" and the lead in "Black Like Me", a book every high schooler read in the '60's. He was also Lincoln Jones, an attorney, in "The Law and Mr. Jones" on TV in the '60's.

[–] chrismartonuk-1 8 years ago

Remember him as Levi in GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.At least he survives the battle at the end.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] Postieman 8 years ago

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