John Garfield was one of the most popular and influential actors of the 1940s, known for his roles in films such as Body and Soul, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and Gentleman’s Agreement. He was also a victim of the Hollywood blacklist, a campaign of political persecution that targeted actors, writers, directors, and others who were suspected of having communist sympathies or affiliations. How did John Garfield die, and what were the circumstances that led to his tragic demise?
Early Life and Career
John Garfield was born Jacob Julius Garfinkle on March 4, 1913, in New York City. He grew up in poverty in the Lower East Side, where he joined a street gang and learned to box. He also developed a talent for mimicry and acting, which he pursued at a drama school. He became a member of the Group Theatre, a pioneering company of actors who practiced the Method technique of realistic and emotional performance.
In 1937, he moved to Hollywood, where he signed a contract with Warner Bros. He made his film debut in Four Daughters (1938), for which he received his first Oscar nomination. He quickly rose to stardom as a leading man who played brooding, rebellious, working-class characters. He was also known for his social activism and his support for liberal causes, such as civil rights, anti-fascism, and labor unions.
The Blacklist and the HUAC
In the late 1940s, as the Cold War intensified, a wave of anti-communist hysteria swept across the United States. The House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) launched an investigation into alleged communist infiltration in Hollywood. Many actors, writers, directors, and others were summoned to testify before the committee and asked to name names of their colleagues who were involved with communism. Those who refused to cooperate were blacklisted, meaning they were denied work and ostracized by the industry.
John Garfield was one of the targets of the HUAC. He had been a member of several leftist organizations in the past, and some of his friends and associates were accused of being communists. He was also under surveillance by the FBI, who suspected him of being a spy. Garfield denied any communist affiliation and refused to name names. He hired a lawyer and prepared to defend himself before the committee.
However, before he could testify, he suffered a fatal heart attack on May 21, 1952. He was staying at the apartment of actress Iris Whitney in New York City. He had dinner with her and then complained that he felt chilled and ill. He went to bed and refused to let her call a doctor. The next morning, she found him dead.
The Cause and Aftermath of His Death
The official cause of John Garfield’s death was myocardial infarction, or heart attack. He had suffered from heart problems since childhood, when he contracted scarlet fever. He also smoked heavily and had a stressful lifestyle. However, many people believe that his death was hastened by the pressure and anxiety caused by the blacklist and the HUAC investigation.
His funeral was attended by thousands of fans and mourners. He was buried at Westchester Hills Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. His epitaph reads “Beloved husband and father”. He left behind his wife Roberta Seidman and their three children: Katherine, David, and Julie.
John Garfield’s legacy as an actor and a social activist lives on. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Method acting and one of the most influential performers of his generation. He is also remembered as a victim of political persecution and a symbol of artistic integrity.
