Kevin McCarthy
(1914 - )One of the great character actors of films, he is "on the cusp" as he appeared in lead roles in his early years. An intense actor of medium build, a handsome looking face framed by deep, expressive eyes with a mellow sounding voice he was perfectly cast for his famed role in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." He avoided the typecasting that usually follows such a defining role by virtue of his versatility. He was born on February 15, 1914 in Seattle, Washington the brother of writer Mary McCarthy. He attended the University of Minnesota where he studied journalism but he joined a drama club and the lure of performing in college plays was too enticing so he decided upon a career change to acting. Soon he was joining stock theatre companies and he successfully made his way to Broadway. He was a good friend to actor Montgomery Clift. His biggest success came in Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and soon he appeared in the film version also. His film credits include: "Winged Victory" (1944) as Ronnie Meade, his film debut; "Death of a Salesman" (1951) with Fredric March, as Biff Loman, which earned him an Oscar Nomination as Best Supporting Actor; "The Gambler from Natchez" (1954) as Andre Rivage; "An Annapolis Story" (1955) as Jim Scott; "Nightmare" (1956) as Stan Grayson; the film classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1956) as Dr. Miles J. Binnell, his best known role; "The Misfits" (1961) with Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift, as Raymond Taber; "A Gathering of Eagles" (1963) as Gen. 'Happy Jack' Kirby; "The Prize" (1963) with Paul Newman, as Dr. John Garrett; "The Best Man" (1964) as Dick Jensen, one of my favorites; "A Big Hand for the Little Lady" (1966) as Otto Habershaw; "The Hell with Heroes" (1968) as Col. Wilson; "Kansas City Bomber" (1972) with Raquel Welch, as Burt Henry; "Buffalo Bill and the Indians" (1976) as Maj. John Burke; "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" (1978) with Donald Sutherland, in cameo as Running Man; "The Howling" (1980) as Fred Francis; "My Tutor" (1983) as Mr. Chrystal; "Twilight Zone: The Movie" (1983) as Uncle Walt, in an unusual role; "Innerspace" (1987) as Victor Scrimshaw; "Greedy" (1994) as Bartlett and "Addams Family Reunion" (1998) as Grandpa Addams. On TV he was a regular on the series; "The Survivors" (1969-70) as Philip Hastings; "Flamingo Road" (1981-82) as Claude Weldon; "Amanda's" (1983) as Zack Cartwright; "Bay City Blues" (1983) as George Hayward; "The Colbys" (1986-87) as Lucas Carter and "Charlie Hoover" (1991) as Mr. Culbertson. He has appeared in many TV movies including: "A Great American Tragedy" (1972); "Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story" (1982) and "The Second Civil War" (1997). He has guested on such TV series as: "Goodyear Television Playhouse"; "Twilight Zone"; "The Rifleman"; "The Fugitive"; "The Invaders"; "Honey West"; "The F.B.I."; "Hawaii 5-0"; "Mission: Impossible"; "Murder, She Wrote"; "The Golden Girls"; "Matlock" and "Early Edition." He was married to Augusta Dabney in 1941 and had three children then divorced in 1961. Later married Kate Crane in 1979 to present and they have two children. He is a cousin of former Sen. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota.
From Great Character Actors, Page 6.
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