Hume Cronyn

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Cronyn in Lifeboat, 1944
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Cronyn in Lifeboat, 1944

Hume Blake Cronyn, OC , LL.D (July 18, 1911 – June 15, 2003) was a Canadian/American stage and film actor.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Cronyn was born in London, Ontario, Canada, one of five children of Hume Blake Cronyn, a businessman and a Member of Parliament for London (and for whom the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory and asteroid (12050) Humecronyn are named), and his wife Frances Amelia Labatt, an heiress of the brewing company of the same name.

His grandfather was Verschoyle Cronyn. His great-grandfather was Bishop Benjamin Cronyn, who was the first Anglican bishop of Huron diocese, and founder of Huron College at the University of Western Ontario. His great-uncle Benjamin Jr. was both a prominent citizen and early mayor of London, Ontario. Benjamin Jr. was later indicted for fraud and fled to Vermont. During his tenure in London he built a mansion called Oakwood, which currently serves as the head office of the Info-Tech Research Group.

Cronyn was also a cousin of Canadian-born theater producer, Robert Whitehead.

[edit] Career

After graduating from Ridley College, Cronyn studied drama at McGill University, and continued his acting studies under Max Reinhardt and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In 1934, he made his Broadway debut as a janitor in "Hipper's Holiday" and became known for his versatility, playing a number of different roles on stage.

His initial Hollywood film was in 1943 in Alfred Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt. He later appeared in that director's Lifeboat and was a writer for the screenplays of Rope and Under Capricorn. He was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his performance in The Seventh Cross in 1944.

[edit] Personal life

Cronyn was married to actress Jessica Tandy from 1942 until her death in 1994, and appeared with her in many of their more memorable dramatic stage, film and TV outings, including The Gin Game, Foxfire, Cocoon and Cocoon: The Return.

He became an American citizen in 1966. His 1991 autobiography was called A Terrible Liar (ISBN 0-688-12844-0).

Hume Cronyn married author Susan Cooper in July 1996. In 1988, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. Cronyn was inducted into Canada's Walk of Famein 1999. He died at age 91 of prostate cancer at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut after having lived for many years in nearby Pound Ridge, NY.

[edit] Broadway appearances

  • Hipper's Holiday - 1934
  • High Tor - 1937
  • There's Always a Breeze - 1938
  • Escape This Night - 1938
  • Off to Buffalo - 1939
  • Three Sisters - 1939
  • The Weak Link - 1940
  • Retreat to Pleasure - 1940
  • Mr. Big - 1941
  • Portrait of a Madonna - 1946 (Director)
  • The Survivors - 1948
  • Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep - 1950
  • Hilda Crane - 1950
  • The Little Blue Light - 1951
  • The Fourposter - 1951
  • The Honeys - 1955
  • A Day By The Sea - 1955
  • The Egghead - 1957
  • The Man in the Dog Suit - 1958
  • Triple Play - 1959
  • Big Fish, Little Fish - 1961
  • Hamlet - 1964 (Tony Award for role of Polonius)
  • The Physicists - 1964
  • Slow Dance on the Killing Ground - 1964
  • A Delicate Balance - 1966
  • Promenade, All! - 1972
  • Noël Coward in Two Keys - 1974
  • The Gin Game - 1977 (performed, produced)
  • Foxfire - 1982 (performed, wrote play and lyrics)
  • The Petition - 1986

[edit] Filmography

[edit] External links

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