Van Heflin

Emmett Evan Heflin Jr., better known as Van Heflin (December 13, 1910 – July 23, 1971) was an American film and theater actor.

Related Topics:
December 13 - 1910 - July 23 - 1971 - American - Film - Theater - Actor

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Born in Walters, Oklahoma of French and Irish descent, Heflin began his acting career on Broadway in the early 1930 before being signed to a contract by RKO Studios. His first film A Woman Rebels (1936) featured him opposite Katharine Hepburn, and although he received good reviews, RKO did not try to build his potential. Signed by MGM Studios in 1940 he was cast in Santa Fe Trail (1940), and Johnny Eager (1941), winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the latter performance.

Related Topics:
Walters, Oklahoma - French - Irish - Broadway - RKO Studios - A Woman Rebels - Katharine Hepburn - MGM Studios - Santa Fe Trail - Johnny Eager - Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor

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MGM began to groom him as a leading man in "B Pictures", and provided him with strong supporting roles in more prestigious productions. Among his film credits are Presenting Lily Mars (1943), The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946), Possessed (1947), Shane (1953) and the lead in the 1948 film noir Act of Violence.

Related Topics:
Presenting Lily Mars - The Strange Love of Martha Ivers - Possessed - Shane - Act of Violence

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He also returned to perform on stage throughout his acting career. His stage credits include The Philadelphia Story on Broadway opposite Katharine Hepburn.

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His last major role was in the film Airport (1970). He?s played "D. O. Guerro", a failure who hopes to "redeem" himself by blowing himself up on an airliner so his wife (played by Maureen Stapleton) can collect on a life insurance policy.

Related Topics:
Airport - Maureen Stapleton

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On July 6, 1971, he was stricken with a heart attack while in a swimming pool. He managed to get to the pool?s ladder, where he held on until found later in the day. He lay unconscious for days, apparently never regaining consciousness. Van Heflin died at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital on July 23, 1971. He was 60 years old.

Related Topics:
July 6 - 1971 - Heart attack - July 23

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He had left instructions forbidding a public funeral. Instead, his cremated remains were scattered on the ocean. Heflin was a sailor before becoming an actor.

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Van Heflin has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures at 6309 Hollywood Boulevard, and for television at 6125 Hollywood Boulevard.

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He was the brother of Daytime Emmy nominated actress Frances Heflin.

Related Topics:
Daytime Emmy - Frances Heflin

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