Van Heflin
(1910 - 1971)Van Heflin was another "on the cusp" actor. He had both starring roles and character parts. He was one of America’s most beloved film actors and a talented one at that. He was a tall, medium built man, with wavy sandy-hair, a lived-in face, with sleepy eyes and an introverted demeanor. He was equally adept at playing bad guys or heroes and he gave them an air of complexity. He was born Emmett Evan Heflin, Jr. on December 13, 1910 in Walters, Oklahoma, the son of a dental surgeon and grew up there. When he was in the seventh grade his parents separated and his brother and sister lived with his mother while young Van lived with his grandmother spending many of his summers at sea. By the time he had graduated high school, his parents were back together. He was educated at the University of Oklahoma and later the Yale School of Drama. Being a free spirit, he would often interrupt his college studies for various journeys overseas or occasional stints in stage acting. Still, he did make his Broadway debut in 1928 at the age of 18. It was Katharine Hepburn who discovered his talents on stage and persuaded him to try films. His film debut came in "A Woman Rebels" (1936) with Ina Claire, as Gerald. His other films include: "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" (1937) as The Rev. Samuel Woods; "Flight from Glory" (1937) as George Wilson; "Annapolis Salute" (1937) as Clay V. Parker; "Saturday's Heroes" (1937) as Val Webster; "Backdoor to Heaven" (1939) as John Shelley; "Santa Fe Trail" (1940) as Carl Rader; "H.M. Pulham, Esq." (1941) as Bill King; "The Feminine Touch" (1941) as Elliott Morgan; "Johnny Eager" (1942) as Jeff Hartnett, a role which won him an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor; "Seven Sweethearts" (1942) as Henry Taggart; "Tennessee Johnson" (1942) as Pres. Andrew Johnson, another terrific role and one of my favorites; "Kid Glove Killer" (1942) as Gordon McKay; "Grand Central Murder" (1942) as Rocky Custer; "Presenting Lily Mars" (1943) as John Thornway; "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" (1946) as Sam Masterson; "Till the Clouds Roll By" (1947) as James I. Hessler; "Possessed" (1947) as David Sutton; "Green Dolphin Street" (1947) as Timothy Haslam; "Tap Roots" (1948) as Keith Alexander; "The Three Musketeers" (1948) as Athos; "Act of Violence" (1948) as Frank R. Enley; "B.F.'s Daughter" (1948) as Thomas W. Brett; "Madame Bovary" (1949) as Charles Bovary; "East Side, West Side" (1949) as Mark Dwyer; "Tomahawk" (1951) as Jim Bridger; "The Prowler" (1951) as Webb Garwood; "Week-End with Father" (1951) as Brad Stubbs; "My Son John" (1952) as Stedman; "South of Algiers" (1953) as Nicholas Chapman; "Wings of the Hawk" (1953) as Irish Gallagher; "My Son John" (1952) as Stedman; "Shane" (1953) as Joe Starrett; "Woman's World" (1954) as Jerry Talbot; "Black Widow" (1954) as Peter Denver; "The Raid" (1954) as Maj. Neal Benton/Neal Swayze; "Tanganyika" (1954) as John Gale; "Battle Cry" (1955) as Maj. Sam Huxley, another good role; "Count Three and Pray" (1955) as Luke Fargo; "Patterns" (1956) as Fred Staples, a surprisingly good film and one of his best roles ever; "3:10 to Yuma" (1957) as Dan Evans; "Gunman's Walk" (1958) as Lee Hackett; "Tempest" (1958) as Emelyan Pugachov; "They Came to Cordura" (1959) as Sgt. John Chawk; "5 Branded Women" (1960) as Velko; "Under Ten Flags" (1960) as Reger; "Cry of Battle" (1963) as Joe Trent; "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965) as Bar Amand; "Once a Thief" (1965) as Mike Vido; "Stagecoach" (1966) as Curly; "The Man Outside" (1967) as Bill MacLean; "The Big Bounce" (1969) as Sam Mirakian; "Airport" (1970) as D.O. Guerrero, a film I was privileged to work in as an extra and watch Mr. Heflin at work, and also his last theatrical film. On TV he appeared in the anthology series "The Great Adventure" (1963-65) as Narrator. He appeared rarely on television but guest starred on the series: "Playhouse 90"; "Robert Montgomery Presents" and "Nash Airflyte Theatre" in the 1950s. He was married to Francis E. Neal from 1942 until their divorce in 1967 and they had three children: Verna Gay & Cathleen and a son, Tracy Neal. His sister Frances Heflin and niece Marta Heflin were also actors. He died of a heart attack on July 23, 1971 in Hollywood, California at age 60.
From Great Character Actors, Page 7.
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