Charles Coburn | WatchedThis

Charles Coburn

Charles Coburn

Acting

Biography

Charles Douville Coburn (June 19, 1877 – August 30, 1961) was an American film and theatre actor. Best known for his work in comedies, Coburn received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for 1943's The More the Merrier. Coburn was born in Macon, Georgia, the son of Scotch-Irish Americans Emma Louise Sprigman (May 11, 1838 Springfield, Ohio – November 12, 1896 Savannah, Georgia) and Moses Douville Coburn (April 27, 1834 Savannah, Georgia – December 27, 1902 Savannah, Georgia). Growing up in Savannah, he started out at age 14 doing odd jobs at the local Savannah Theater, handing out programs, ushering, or being the doorman. By age 17 or 18, he was the theater manager. He later became an actor, making his debut on Broadway in 1901. Coburn formed an acting company with actress Ivah Wills in 1905. They married in 1906. In addition to managing the company, the couple performed frequently on Broadway. After his wife's death in 1937, Coburn relocated to Los Angeles, California and began film work. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as a retired millionaire playing Cupid in The More the Merrier in 1943. He was also nominated for The Devil and Miss Jones in 1941 and The Green Years in 1946. Other notable film credits include Of Human Hearts (1938), The Lady Eve (1941), Kings Row (1942), The Constant Nymph (1943), Heaven Can Wait (1943), Wilson (1944), Impact (1949), The Paradine Case (1947), Everybody Does It (1950), Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952), Monkey Business (1952), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), and John Paul Jones (1959). He usually played comedic parts, but Kings Row and Wilson were dramatic parts, showing his versatility. For his contributions to motion pictures, in 1960, Coburn was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6268 Hollywood Boulevard.

Filmography Movies

Acting

Poster for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
MOVIE

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

7.3(1.1K)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Sir Francis Beekman
Poster for The Lady Eve
MOVIE

The Lady Eve

7.3(0.4K)
The Lady Eve
'Colonel' Harrington
Poster for Lured
MOVIE

Lured

6.3(0.1K)
Lured
Harley Temple
Poster for Monkey Business
MOVIE

Monkey Business

6.7(0.3K)
Monkey Business
Oliver Oxley
Poster for The Paradine Case
MOVIE

The Paradine Case

6.3(0.3K)
The Paradine Case
Sir Simon Flaquer
Poster for Together Again
MOVIE

Together Again

5.5(0.0K)
Together Again
Jonathan Crandall Sr
Poster for Impact
MOVIE

Impact

6.1(0.1K)
Impact
Lieutenant Quincy
Poster for In Name Only
MOVIE

In Name Only

7.0(0.1K)
In Name Only
Richard Walker
Poster for Princess O'Rourke
MOVIE

Princess O'Rourke

6.5(0.0K)
Princess O'Rourke
Uncle Holman
Poster for Vivacious Lady
MOVIE

Vivacious Lady

7.0(0.1K)
Vivacious Lady
Mr. Morgan

Gallery

Charles Coburn portrait
Charles Coburn portrait
Charles Coburn portrait
Charles Coburn portrait
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