Charles Bickford
Charles Ambrose Bickford (January 1, 1891 – November 9, 1967)[1] was an American actor known for supporting roles.[2] He was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for The Song of Bernadette (1943), The Farmer's Daughter (1947) and Johnny Belinda (1948). His other roles include Whirlpool (1950), A Star Is Born (1954) and The Big Country (1958).
Charles Bickford
November 9, 1967 (aged 76)
Actor
1911–1967
2
Early life[edit]
Bickford was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, during the first minute of 1891.[3] His parents were Loretus and Mary Ellen Bickford.[4] The fifth of seven children, he was an intelligent but very independent and unruly child. He had a particularly strong relationship with his maternal grandfather, a sea captain, who was a powerful influence during his formative years. At the age of nine, he was tried and acquitted of the attempted murder of a trolley motorman, who had callously driven over and killed his beloved dog.[3]: 12–16 He attended Foster School and Everett High School.[4]
Always more interested in experiencing life than reading about it, Bickford was considered "the wild rogue" of the family, causing his parents frequent consternation. In his late teens, he drifted aimlessly around the United States for a time. Before breaking into acting, he worked as a lumberjack and investment promoter, and for a short time, ran a pest-extermination business. He was a stoker and fireman in the United States Navy when a friend dared him to get a job in burlesque. Bickford served as an engineer lieutenant in the United States Army during World War I. His first entry into acting was on the stage, eventually including Broadway. This venue provided him with an occasional living and served as the principal training ground for developing his acting and vocal talents.
Personal life[edit]
Bickford married actress Beatrice Ursula Allen (stage name Beatrice Loring) in Manhattan in 1916.[6] The couple had two children, daughter Doris, known as “Bunny”, and son Rex.
Bickford was a practicing Catholic[7] and a Democrat who supported Adlai Stevenson's campaign during the 1952 presidential election.[8]
In 1965, Bickford published his autobiography Bulls, Balls, Bicycles, & Actors.[3]: 308
Death and legacy[edit]
Bickford died in Los Angeles on November 9, 1967, at age 76, of pneumonia and a blood infection after being hospitalized for an extended period.[1]
Bickford received two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. His motion-picture star is located at 6780 Hollywood Boulevard, and his television star is located at 1620 Vine Street.[9]