Fred MacMurray
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Frederick Martin MacMurray (August 30, 1908–November 5, 1991) was a Hollywood actor who appeared in over one hundred movies, during a career that lasted from the 1930s to the 1970s. His most famous role was that of the father on the 1960s TV series My Three Sons. He was typecast for decades as a lovable, friendly fellow, and he capitalized on this by starring in a number of live-action comedies for Walt Disney during the later part of his career, with his biggest hits being The Shaggy Dog and The Absent-Minded Professor.
Born on August 30, 1908 in Kankakee, Illinois as Frederick Martin McMurray, Jr. to his mother, Maleta Martin and Frederick McMurray Sr., his mother and the newborn accompanied his father, a concert violinist, around the country before finally settling in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, Wisconsin at the age of 5. During his childhood in Beaver Dam he became lifelong friends with Randall McKinstry and earned the nickname "Bud". While attending Beaver Dam High School he became one of the most popular teenagers in town and was known for his athleticism. McMurray received 12 varsity letters in 3 years of high school. He was considered one of the best fullbacks and punters in the State of Wisconsin and earned a full scholarship to attended Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. In college he participated in numerous local bands playing the Saxophone and after one semester at Carroll he left for Chicago to look for professional gigs.
In spite of his "nice guy" image, MacMurray often stated that the best film roles he ever played were ones where he was cast against type in two films for Billy Wilder. He played the role of Walter Neff, an insurance salesman who plots with a wealthy heiress to murder her husband in the film noir classic Double Indemnity (1944). In 1960, he played a slimy, two-timing corporate executive in Wilder's Oscar-winning comedy The Apartment.
A shrewd investor, MacMurray was one of the wealthiest people in Hollywood. On his passing in 1991, Fred MacMurray was interred in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California, and was survived by his wife, June Haver.
During the 1940's, the Fawcett Comics character Captain Marvel was modeled in some ways after MacMurray.
He is a Disney Legend.
Notable films
- Double Indemnity (1944)
- The Egg and I (1947)
- The Caine Mutiny (1954)
- The Shaggy Dog (1959)
- The Apartment (1960)
- The Absent Minded Professor (1961)
- Son of Flubber (1963)
- Follow Me, Boys! (1966)
- The Happiest Millionaire (1967)