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Who was John Garfield?
John Garfield was an American actor who rose to fame in the late 1930s and early 1940s for his portrayals of brooding, rebellious, working-class characters. He was born as Jacob Julius Garfinkle in 1913 in New York City, to Russian Jewish immigrants. He grew up in poverty and joined a street gang as a teenager. He discovered his talent for acting at a reform school and later joined the prestigious Group Theatre, where he starred in several plays by Clifford Odets. He moved to Hollywood in 1937 and signed a contract with Warner Bros. He received an Oscar nomination for his debut film, Four Daughters (1938), and went on to appear in many successful films, such as The Sea Wolf (1941), The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946), and Body and Soul (1947), for which he received another Oscar nomination.
What were his achievements?
Garfield was one of the first actors to bring the Method style of acting to the screen, influencing later stars such as Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Montgomery Clift. He was known for his naturalistic and intense performances, often playing antiheroes who struggled against the injustices of society. He was also a social activist who supported various causes, such as civil rights, workers’ rights, and anti-fascism. He entertained troops during World War II and co-founded the Hollywood Canteen, a club that offered free entertainment and food to servicemen. He also formed his own production company, Enterprise Productions, which gave him more artistic freedom and control over his films.
How did he die?
Garfield’s career and life came to a sudden and tragic end in 1952, when he was 39 years old. He was a victim of the Hollywood blacklist, a campaign that targeted actors, writers, directors, and others who were accused of having communist sympathies or affiliations. Garfield was summoned to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), which investigated alleged subversion in the film industry. Garfield denied being a communist and refused to name names, which angered the committee and the studio bosses. He was blacklisted and barred from working in Hollywood. He also faced harassment from the FBI, which monitored his movements and phone calls. He became depressed and isolated, and his marriage to Roberta Seidman, with whom he had three children, fell apart.
On May 21, 1952, Garfield had dinner with actress Iris Whitney, a friend of his wife. After the dinner, he complained that he felt chilled and ill. Whitney took him to her apartment, where he went to bed, refusing to let her call a doctor. The next morning, Whitney found him dead. The cause of death was a heart attack, caused by coronary thrombosis. Garfield had a history of heart problems, which were aggravated by his stressful situation. Some of his friends and fans believed that the pressure and persecution from the HUAC and the FBI contributed to his death.
Why is his death a mystery?
Garfield’s death was a shock and a loss to the film industry and the public, who admired his talent and charisma. His death also raised some questions and speculations about the circumstances and the details of his demise. For example:
- Why was he staying at Whitney’s apartment instead of his own home or a hotel?
- What was his relationship with Whitney, and did his wife know about it?
- Did he have any medical complications or emergencies before his death?
- Did he have any history of substance abuse or mental health issues?
- Was his heart condition diagnosed correctly and treated properly?
- Did he have any other health problems that were not disclosed?
These questions remain unanswered, as there has been no official statement or report on his death from his family or the authorities. His death was also not widely covered by the media, and there are few sources of information available online. His fans and admirers are left to wonder what happened to him and what he could have achieved if he had lived longer.
What is his legacy?
Garfield’s legacy lives on through his films, which have been preserved and praised by various critics and organizations. His films have also been studied and taught in academic institutions and film studies programs. He is regarded as one of the most influential and original actors in American cinema, especially in the genre of film noir. He is also remembered as a pioneer and a martyr of the Hollywood blacklist, and a symbol of artistic integrity and courage. He was a man who used his talent and his voice to challenge the stereotypes and the oppression that he and others faced in society. He was a man who gave life to his characters, and who died for his principles. He was John Garfield, and he is missed.
