James Coburn

@Actors, Life Achievements and Facts ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ James Coburn was an American actor best known for playing the rugged, tough guy in action movies American University Of California, Los Angeles Film & Theater Personalities Actors Virgo Celebrities Academy award winning actor James Coburn was one of the “Tough Guys” of American cinema who is best known for his role as Glen Whitehouse, the dominating father of a young policeman in the drama film ‘Affliction’. Lanky with rugged looks and a gravelly voice, Coburn popularized the image of the “Macho man” in American cinema. This tough guy was no chocolate-boy hero who wooed the women with his charming ways! He was an action hero who set the screen ablaze with his fast and furious action sequences, but by no means was action his only forte. He was a very talented actor who effortlessly metamorphosed from a blithe young man into a mature character actor. It was while serving in the army that he realized his love for films and proceeded to attend drama school after being discharged. He began his acting career as a theater artist before moving on to work in television. A successful television career paved the way for his Hollywood debut and soon he carved a niche for himself as the tall and handsome action hero. The actor reached the peak of his career during the 1960s and 1970s with movies like ‘Duck, You Sucker!’ and ‘Cross of Iron’ though he continued to be active in films till his last years.

Personal Details

Birthday: August 31, 1928 Died on: November 18, 2002 Nationality: American Famous: University Of California, Los Angeles, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors Spouses: Beverly Kelly (1959–1979), his death), Paula Murad (1993–2002) Known as: James Harrison Coburn III Childrens: James Coburn IV, Lisa Coburn Information Detail Birthday August 31, 1928 Died on November 18, 2002 Nationality American Famous University Of California, Los Angeles, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors Spouses Beverly Kelly (1959–1979), his death), Paula Murad (1993–2002) Known as James Harrison Coburn III Childrens James Coburn IV, Lisa Coburn Universities University Of California, Los Angeles Notable Alumnis University Of California Los Angeles Birth Place Nebraska, U.S. Gender Male Father James Coburn Jr. Mother Mylet Johnson Sun Sign Virgo Born in Nebraska, U.S. Famous as Actor Died at Age 74

Nebraska, U.S.

James Coburn born at Unsplash Birth Place

He married Beverly Kelly in 1959. This marriage lasted for two decades and ended with the couple’s divorce in 1979. Unsplash Personal Life

His second marriage was to Paula Murad in 1993. The couple remained together till Coburn’s death. He had one son and one step-daughter. Unsplash Personal Life

He died of a heart attack in 2002, at the age 74. Unsplash Personal Life

He was born on August 31, 1928, to James Coburn, Jr. and Mylet Johnson in Nebraska. His father who previously owned a garage business lost it during the Great Depression and the family struggled in poverty. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He went to Compton Junior College after which he enlisted in the United States Army. Though he served as a truck driver he was also asked to narrate Army training films while posted at Germany. This kindled in him a love for films and he decided to study acting after his army stint. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He enrolled at the Los Angeles City College to study drama. He appeared in various school productions where he performed superbly. He made his stage debut in Herman Melville’s ‘Billy Budd’ at the La Jolla Playhouse. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He went to New York to study at the Stella Adler’s conservatory and returned to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

With his masculine good looks and lanky frame he did not find it difficult to find work as an actor. Initially he appeared in a lot of stage productions following which he began receiving television roles. Unsplash Career

He made his film debut in 1959 in the Western film, ‘Ride Lonesome’ which also had Randolph Scott, Karen Steele and Lee Van Cleef in starring roles. This film helped to give James the much needed exposure to Hollywood. Unsplash Career

Buoyed by his film appearance, he started getting many offers for television roles. In 1959, he played minor or supporting roles in several TV productions like ‘State Trooper’, ‘The Californians’, and ‘The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp’. Unsplash Career

He played the role of Louis Sedgwick in the 1963 film ‘The Great Escape’ which was based on the real-life incident of an escape by British and Commonwealth prisoners of war from a German camp during World War II. The film was a huge success. Unsplash Career

Along with Charlton Heston and Richard Harris, he appeared in the Western film, ‘Major Dundee’ in 1965 in which he played a one-armed Indian tracker. He was much appreciated for this role. Unsplash Career

His most famous performance was in ‘Affliction’ in which he played the role of a domineering father of the protagonist. Given his stern looks and small steely eyes, he suited the image of an arrogant and gruff man. Unsplash Major Works

Information	Detail
Birthday	August 31, 1928
Died on	November 18, 2002
Nationality	American
Famous	University Of California, Los Angeles, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors
Spouses	Beverly Kelly (1959–1979), his death), Paula Murad (1993–2002)
Known as	James Harrison Coburn III
Childrens	James Coburn IV, Lisa Coburn
Universities	University Of California, Los Angeles
Notable Alumnis	University Of California Los Angeles
Birth Place	Nebraska, U.S.
Gender	Male
Father	James Coburn Jr.
Mother	Mylet Johnson
Sun Sign	Virgo
Born in	Nebraska, U.S.
Famous as	Actor
Died at Age	74

James Coburn

American

Aug 31, 1928

Biography

Personal Details

Nebraska, U.S.