James Westerfield was a versatile and prolific actor who appeared in more than 160 films and television shows, as well as on Broadway and in regional theatres. He was known for his roles in classics such as On the Waterfront, True Grit, and The Absent-Minded Professor. But how did he die and what was his cause of death? Here is what we know.
Early Life and Career
James Westerfield was born on March 22, 1913, in Nashville, Tennessee, to candy-maker Brasher Omier Westerfield and his wife Dora Elizabeth Bailey. He was raised in Detroit, Michigan, where he developed an interest in theatre. In the 1930s, he joined the Pasadena Community Playhouse, where he appeared in dozens of plays and met his first wife, actress Frances Lansing.
Westerfield made his film debut in 1940 and soon became a busy character actor, often playing authority figures, such as policemen, judges, and sheriffs. He worked with some of the most acclaimed directors of his time, such as Orson Welles, Elia Kazan, John Ford, and Alfred Hitchcock. He also returned to New York and performed on Broadway, winning two New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for his supporting roles in The Madwoman of Chaillot and Detective Story.
Personal Life and Death
Westerfield married Lansing in the 1950s, but they divorced sometime later. He then married Alice Gertrude Fay, also known as Fay Tracey, in 1962. She was a former dancer and actress who became his manager and partner in various theatrical ventures. They owned a summer-musical tent in Danbury, Connecticut, where they produced and directed more than 50 musicals. Westerfield also directed and acted in several musicals in Los Angeles, Vancouver, Detroit, and San Francisco.
Westerfield died on September 20, 1971, at the age of 58, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. His cause of death was a heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction. He was survived by his wife Alice, who died in 2003. They are both buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.
Legacy and Influence
James Westerfield was a talented and versatile actor who left a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike. He was praised for his ability to play both comedic and dramatic roles, as well as his distinctive voice and physical presence. He was also a respected theatre director and producer, who contributed to the development of musical theatre in North America. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in television.
Westerfield’s films and television shows are still widely watched and enjoyed by fans of classic cinema and entertainment. Some of his most memorable roles include Big Mac in On the Waterfront, Judge Parker in True Grit, Prisoner in Hang ‘Em High, and Police Officer Hanson in The Absent-Minded Professor and its sequel Son of Flubber. He also appeared in several Disney films and shows, such as The Shaggy Dog, The Magical World of Disney, and The Boy Who Stole the Elephant.
James Westerfield was a remarkable actor who left behind a rich and diverse body of work. He died too soon, but his legacy lives on through his performances and achievements.
