James Whitmore passes
Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:37 am
Actor James Whitmore Dies of Lung Cancer
By BOB THOMAS, AP
(Feb. 7) - James Whitmore, the many-faceted character actor who delivered strong performances in movies, television and especially the theater with his popular one-man shows about Harry Truman, Will Rogers and Theodore Roosevelt, died Friday, his son said. He was 87.
The Emmy- and Tony-winning actor was diagnosed with lung cancer the week before Thanksgiving and died Friday afternoon at his Malibu home, Steve Whitmore said.
"My father believed that family came before everything, that work was just a vehicle in which to provide for your family," said Whitmore, who works as spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "At the end, and in the last two and a half months of his life, he was surrounded by his family."
I remember him as the battle tough Sgt in Battleground.
By BOB THOMAS, AP
(Feb. 7) - James Whitmore, the many-faceted character actor who delivered strong performances in movies, television and especially the theater with his popular one-man shows about Harry Truman, Will Rogers and Theodore Roosevelt, died Friday, his son said. He was 87.
The Emmy- and Tony-winning actor was diagnosed with lung cancer the week before Thanksgiving and died Friday afternoon at his Malibu home, Steve Whitmore said.
"My father believed that family came before everything, that work was just a vehicle in which to provide for your family," said Whitmore, who works as spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. "At the end, and in the last two and a half months of his life, he was surrounded by his family."
I remember him as the battle tough Sgt in Battleground.
Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:22 pm
He was also Admiral Halsey in Tora! Tora! Tora!.
(while watching a Navy pilot tring to hit a floating target:) "Tell Lieutenant Dickenson he couldn't hit a bull in the butt with a bass fiddle!"
(while watching a Navy pilot tring to hit a floating target:) "Tell Lieutenant Dickenson he couldn't hit a bull in the butt with a bass fiddle!"
Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:22 pm
wow I always liked him. Sad he passed away. 
Remember "Battleground".? The tough old tabbaco chewing sargent.
"You had a good home but you left"
Remember "Battleground".? The tough old tabbaco chewing sargent.
"You had a good home but you left"
Sat Feb 07, 2009 1:45 pm
That would be Sgt Holley of the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.
Rest in peace you old leatherneck. your in good company now!
Rest in peace you old leatherneck. your in good company now!
Sat Feb 07, 2009 2:24 pm
I was about to post his passing as well- Glad I wasn't the only one here who was interested! He has always been a favorite.
His obit on Yahoo-http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090207/ap_on_en_tv/obit_james_whitmore
Godspeed, James!
Robbie
His obit on Yahoo-http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090207/ap_on_en_tv/obit_james_whitmore
Godspeed, James!
Robbie
Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:07 pm
Sad news indeed. I was just watching TTT on AMC this afternoon.
SN
SN
Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:38 pm
Good movie, but believe Van Johnson played Holley. 
James Whitmore was Sgt. Kinney.
As a warbird side note, one of his sons played Capt. James Gutterman
on the TV show Baa Baa Blacksheep.
James Whitmore was Sgt. Kinney.
As a warbird side note, one of his sons played Capt. James Gutterman
on the TV show Baa Baa Blacksheep.
Last edited by wls3 on Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:41 pm
wls3 wrote:Good movie.
Believe Van Johnson played Holley.
James Whitmore was Sgt. Kinney.
As a warbird side note, one of his sons played Capt. James Gutterman
on the TV show Baa Baa Blacksheep.
You are correct sir! My mistake!
Sat Feb 07, 2009 6:27 pm
I liked one other line from "Tora....."
Halsey: "Tell me straight, Kim.....if I run into any trouble, what should I do?"
Kimmel : "Use your common sense"
Halsey: "That's the best darn order I ever received........if I see so much as a sampan near us......I'll blow it outta the water"
Halsey: "Tell me straight, Kim.....if I run into any trouble, what should I do?"
Kimmel : "Use your common sense"
Halsey: "That's the best darn order I ever received........if I see so much as a sampan near us......I'll blow it outta the water"
Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:48 pm
Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:59 pm
A great actor, that's for sure. But his tough-sergeant persona was no act. Whitmore was a Marine in the South Pacific.
Interesting tidbit - when he played football at Yale, the Line Coach was a guy named Gerald Ford, the famous Michigan center/linebacker, who would go on to do one or two other things in his life.
I also remember Whitmore's performances in "The McConnell Story" and "Above and Beyond." His one-man show as Will Rogers was a real hoot!
Interesting tidbit - when he played football at Yale, the Line Coach was a guy named Gerald Ford, the famous Michigan center/linebacker, who would go on to do one or two other things in his life.
I also remember Whitmore's performances in "The McConnell Story" and "Above and Beyond." His one-man show as Will Rogers was a real hoot!
Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:21 pm
when his name comes up in the cast listing then i'm watching that flick, it's always been that way with me.
Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:11 pm
One of the best. God speed
Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:29 pm
A great actor, that's for sure. But his tough-sergeant persona was no act. Whitmore was a Marine in the South Pacific.
Not only a great actor but a vet too. Another has passed.
He also played a police officer in the horror flick, "Them". The movie about giant killer ants.
Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:56 am
A befitting video that somehow fits in to all this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDQvYE8s ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDQvYE8s ... re=related