John Garfield

Date of Birth: March 4, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: May 21, 1952

Biography

John Garfield was an American actor renowned for his performances in both stage and film during the 1930s and 1940s. Born Jacob Julius Garfinkle, he grew up in New York City’s Lower East Side. His talent for acting was discovered early on, leading him to join the American Laboratory Theater and the Group Theatre, where he honed his craft. He became a prominent figure in Hollywood, known for his portrayals of rugged, rebellious characters in films such as “Four Daughters” (1938), “The Postman Always Rings Twice” (1946), and “Body and Soul” (1947). Garfield’s career was marked by critical acclaim and box office success, but it was also marred by controversy. In the early 1950s, he was accused of Communist affiliations during the Red Scare and was blacklisted from Hollywood. Despite these challenges, Garfield’s legacy endures as a trailblazer who brought a raw, naturalistic style to American cinema.

5 Interesting Facts about John Garfield

1. John Garfield was one of the first actors to bring Method acting to Hollywood, influencing future generations of actors.

2. He was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Actor, for his roles in “Four Daughters” and “Body and Soul.”

3. Garfield was a founding member of the Hollywood Democratic Committee and was active in progressive political causes.

4. He was blacklisted during the Hollywood Red Scare for refusing to name names before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

5. John Garfield died at the age of 39 from a heart attack, which many believe was exacerbated by the stress of the blacklist and his subsequent career struggles.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Garfield

1. “I always wanted to be an actor, ever since I was a kid. If I hadn’t made it, I’d have been digging ditches or robbing banks.”

2. “Acting is the ability to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances.”

3. “The actor’s job is to communicate the truth of the character, not to show off.”

4. “In the theater, we were a family. In Hollywood, we were commodities.”

5. “The pressure was too much. The stress of fighting for my career and my beliefs was more than I could handle.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, John Garfield’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, which would be equivalent to approximately $9 million today when adjusted for inflation.