John Garfield (
March 4,
1913 -
May 21,
1952) was an American actor. Born Jacob Julius Garfinkle in
New York City, he was sent to a school for problem children after the early death of his mother. It was there that he was introduced to
boxing and acting. He won a scholarship to an acting school hosted by
Maria Ouspenskaya[?], and made his
Broadway debut in
1932. The play
Golden Boy[?] was written for him, but he was passed over for the role. He decided to leave Broadway and try his success in
Hollywood. In
1938 he received critical acclaim and an
Academy Award nomination for his role in
Four Daughters.
Involved in liberal politics, he became caught up in the Communist scare of the late 1940s, and, even though he denied having ever been a Communist, his forced testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee damaged his career. Heart problems caused his death at the age of 39.
Garfield has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at At 7065 Hollywood Blvd.