JACK WARDEN WITH RESPECT AND APPRECIATION
Jack Warden 1920-2006
Knowing of my love of movies, I just wanted to mention to those of you who may have missed it that a wonderful Actor, one of my all time favorites has passed away. Jack Warden was nominated for Oscars for his work in the films "Shampoo", "Heaven Can Wait", and he won an Emmy for the 1971 TV film "Brian's Song". Jack was twice Emmy-nominated for the 1980s television series "Crazy Like a Fox". His other films you will probably remember include the trial drama "12 Angry Men"--his break-through role with Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb and "All The President's Men" along side Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford. I had very high regard for this man. From the 1950's he worked steadily in Television, Theatre and in cameos including "From Here to Eternity" with Frank Sinatra. He played Paul Newman's retired law partner in my very first "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" feature, "The Verdict" (my personal favorite). His other notable roles included the films; "Used Cars" "Bullets Over Broadway" and his last film role in "The Replacements" filmed in 2000.
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Jack Warden was born John Lebzelter in Newark, New Jersey, in 1920. He had a brief career as a professional boxer, and was a paratrooper during World War II. His manager described Jack as "very gentle, very dapper". How fortunate we were to have him in our world! What I enjoyed most about Jack Warden was that he played characters who were "tough guys" on the outside, but possessed "a heart of Gold" on the inside. So, with your kind permission, I am going to change what I had planned to post next Thursday for "Friday Movie Suggestion Night" in a film for each of us to raise a glass (and a prayer) to a great guy who helped us make some sense of the world with Humor and Integrity. God Bless!
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posted by Michael Manning @ 1:58 AM
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9 Comments:
Even I've heard of Jack Warden, I had no idea he'd passed on until I read this. Such a shame.
Came by via Michele's. Hi.
Very sad. I, too, loved The Verdict. He was wonderful and it was a great, great film. Hm... need to rent that one again.
Hey there Michael!
Claire: Welcome! Nice of you to stop by. There is but no questionthat Jack Warden had a fascinating career. He could handle any idiom of Television, Theatre or Motion Pictures. I have decided to create a Double-Billing to Honor Jack as we raise a glass to toast him next Thursday. And...I'll be over to see you too!
Panthergirl: "Mickey Morrisey", Personal Injury and Criminal Law is right! What a wonderful actor we had become so comfortable with! Always nice to hear from you. I've owed you a visit anyway. I'll stop by. :)
Every time a great artist dies, I am saddened to think that the world will never again benefit from the wisdom of that person's artistry. Sure, we can go back and see that person's existing body of work. But something is lost.
It is our job to carry those lessons forward. To ensure the soul of this artist is somehow integrated into the voices of those who follow. It's how we evolve. It's why we're human.
I always enjoyed Mr. Warden's work. He had such a solid presence onscreen - something I noticed when I was a wee child. I'll miss him.
Warden was pretty cool actualy. He had a style all his own!
awww. another major loss to Hollywood. Brian's Song was a personal favorite of mine. Must have watched that one a dozen times in high school.
Carmi: Beautifully expressed as always, my friend. In fact, I mentioned your gift of writing to a very good friend of mine just last night. Well said, Carmi. Well said.
Denny: Oh yes. From televisions "The Twilight Zone" to the scene in "The Verdict" where he is rooting around Laura Fisher's purse (Charlotte Rampling) for a cigarette and comes across a check written to her by Ed Concannon (James Mason)the counsel for the defense. The whole "30 pieces of silver" scenario. God, he was a fine actor!
Keri: That's true, Keri. We watched that in high school too. There was also a more recent movie about a "boiler room" operation with Jack Warden, Jack Lemmon and Al Pacino who all worked for a sadistic boss. He was a breed of character actors who was among "the best".
Great actor. His role in Dirty Work is among my favorites. lol
Andy: I have a nice salute to Jack ready to go for Thursday, 12 Midnight. Be there, or be square! lol!
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