Robert Montgomery (actor)
Robert Montgomery | |
|---|---|
Montgomery c. 1950s | |
| Born | Henry Montgomery Jr. May 21, 1904 Beacon, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 27, 1981 (aged 77) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1924–1960 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3, including Elizabeth |
| President of the Screen Actors Guild | |
| In office 1935–1938 | |
| Preceded by | Eddie Cantor |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Morgan |
| In office 1946–1947 | |
| Preceded by | George Murphy |
| Succeeded by | Ronald Reagan |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1941–1946 |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Unit | USS Barton (DD-722) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat V Combat Action Ribbon American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two stars Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with two stars World War II Victory Medal |
Robert Montgomery (/mɒntˈɡʌməri/; born Henry Montgomery Jr.; May 21, 1904 – September 27, 1981) was an American actor, director, and producer. He began his acting career on the stage, but was soon hired by MGM. Initially assigned roles in comedies, he soon proved he was able to handle dramatic ones, as well. He appeared in a wide variety of roles, such as the weak-willed prisoner Kent in The Big House (1930), the psychotic Danny in Night Must Fall (1937), and Joe, the boxer mistakenly sent to Heaven in Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941). The last two earned him nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor.
During World War II, he drove ambulances in France until the Dunkirk evacuation. When the United States entered the war on December 8, 1941, he enlisted in the Navy, and was present at the invasion at Normandy. After the war, he returned to Hollywood, where he worked in both films, and later, in television. He was also the father of actress Elizabeth Montgomery.