Actor
George Murphy
Born July 4, 1902 in New Haven, Connecticut, USADied May 3, 199246 films
George Murphy was an American dancer and stage, screen, and television actor, as well as a United States Senator. Murphy was a song-and-dance leading man in many big-budget Hollywood musicals from 1930 to 1952. He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1944 to 1946, and was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1951. Murphy served from 1965 to 1971 as U.S. Senator from California, the first notable U.S. actor to be elected to statewide office in California, predating Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is the only United States Senator represented by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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In movies, Murphy was known as a song-and-dance man and appeared in many big-budget musicals such as Broadway Melody of 1938, Broadway Melody of 1940 and For Me and My Gal. He made his movie debut shortly after talking pictures had replaced silent movies in 1930, and his career continued until he retired as an actor in 1952, at the age of 50. During World War II, he organized entertainment for American troops.
In 1951, he was awarded an honorary Academy Award. He was never nominated for an Oscar in any competitive category.
He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1944 to 1946. He was also a vice president of Desilu Productions and of the Technicolor Corporation. He was director of entertainment for presidential inaugurations in 1953, 1957 and 1961.
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The best way into George Murphy's work
First watchThey Died with Their Boots On19416.7as Cavalryman (uncredited)The story follows General George Armstrong Custer's adventures from his West Point days to his death. He defies orders during the Civil War, trains the 7th Cavalry, appeases Chief Crazy…View filmEssential films
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Filmography
46 films as actor- 1952Walk East on BeaconInspector James 'Jim' Belden
- 1952Talk About a StrangerRobert Fontaine Sr.
- 1951It's a Big CountryMr. Patrick Callaghan
- 1951No Questions AskedPolice Insp. Matt Duggan
- 1949Battleground'Pop' Stazak
- 1949Border IncidentJack Bearnes
- 1948Big CityPatrick O'Donnell
- 1948Tenth Avenue AngelSteve Abbutt
- 1947CynthiaLarry Bishop
- 1947The Arnelo AffairTheodore 'Ted' Parkson
- 1946Up Goes MaisieJoseph Morton
- 1945Having Wonderful CrimeJake Justus
- 1944Step LivelyGordon Miller
- 1944Show BusinessGeorge Doane
- 1944Broadway RhythmJohnny Demming
- 1943This Is the ArmyJerry Jones
- 1943BataanLt. Steve Bentley
- 1943The Powers GirlJerry Hendricks
- 1942The Navy Comes ThroughLt. Thomas L. 'Tom' Sands
- 1942For Me and My GalJimmy K. Metcalf
- 1942The Mayor of 44th StreetJoe Jonathan
- 1941Rise and ShineJimmy McGonagle
- 1941They Died with Their Boots OnCavalryman (uncredited)
- 1941Ringside MaisieFrancis X. 'Skeets' / 'Skeeter' Maguire
- 1941Tom, Dick and HarryTom
- 1941A Girl, a Guy, and a GobClaudius "Coffee Cup" Cup
- 1940Little Nellie KellyJerry Kelly
- 1940Public Deb No. 1Alan Blake
- 1940Two Girls on BroadwayEddie Kerns
- 1940Broadway Melody of 1940King Shaw
- 1939Risky BusinessDan Clifford
- 1938Hold That Co-edRusty Stevens
- 1938Letter of IntroductionBarry Paige
- 1938Little Miss BroadwayRoger Wendling
- 1937You're a SweetheartHal Adams
- 1937The Women Men MarryBill Raeburn
- 1937Broadway Melody of 1938Sonny Ledford
- 1937London by NightMichael Denis
- 1937Top of the TownTed Lane
- 1936Violets in SpringCharlie Hall
- 1936Woman TrapKeat Shevlin
- 1935The Public MenaceEdward Joseph "Red" Foster
- 1935After the DanceJerry Davis
- 1935I'll Love You AlwaysCarl Brent
- 1934JealousyLarry O'Roarke
- 1934Kid MillionsJerry Lane