James Cromwell
| James Cromwell | |
|---|---|
 Cromwell at the 82nd Academy Awards viewing party at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on March 7, 2010 | |
| Born |
James Oliver Cromwell January 27, 1940 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Residence | Studio City, California |
| Other names | Jamie Cromwell |
| Education | Middlebury College |
| Alma mater | Carnegie Mellon University |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Home town | Manhattan, New York |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 3 (with Ulvestad) |
| Parent(s) | |
James Oliver Cromwell (born January 27, 1940) is an American film and television actor. Some of his more notable films include Babe (1995), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Star Trek: First Contact (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Green Mile (1999), Space Cowboys (2000), The Sum of All Fears (2002), W. (2008), The Artist (2011), and the television series Six Feet Under (2003–2005), 24 (2007), and American Horror Story: Asylum (2012).
He has been nominated for an Oscar, four Emmy Awards, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards during his career. He won the 2013 Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor for his role in Still Mine and the 2013 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his role in American Horror Story: Asylum.[1]
Early years
Cromwell was born in Los Angeles, California, and raised in Manhattan, New York. He is the son of actress Kay Johnson and actor, director, and producer John Cromwell, who was blacklisted during the McCarthy era.[2] He has English, German, Irish, and Scottish ancestry.[3][4] He was educated at The Hill School, Middlebury College and Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). Like his parents, he was drawn to the theater, performing in everything from Shakespeare to experimental plays.
Career
Cromwell's first television performance was in a 1974 episode of The Rockford Files playing Terry,[5] a tennis instructor. A few weeks later,[6] he began a recurring role as Stretch Cunningham on All in the Family. In 1975, he took his first lead role on television as Bill Lewis in the short-lived Hot l Baltimore, and a year later he made his film debut in Neil Simon's classic detective spoof Murder by Death.
In 1980, Cromwell guest-starred in the two-part episode "Laura Ingalls Wilder" of the long-running television series Little House on the Prairie. He played Harve Miller, one of Almanzo Wilder's (Dean Butler) old friends.
While Cromwell continued with regular television work throughout the 1980s, he made appearances in films for his supporting roles in the films Tank and Revenge of the Nerds. He guest starred on the sitcom Night Court, playing a mental patient, along with Predator actor Kevin Peter Hall. He had starring roles in the 1990s critically acclaimed films Babe (1995), The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), L.A. Confidential (1997), The Green Mile, and Snow Falling on Cedars (both 1999). He also played Dr. Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and the Star Trek: Enterprise pilot Broken Bow (the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "In a Mirror, Darkly" later reused some of the First Contact footage).[7] He has also appeared in other Star Trek roles, on the television series The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, though not as Cochrane (his appearances on these shows predated his role in First Contact); he guest-starred in episodes including "The Hunted", "Birthright" (Part I and II) and "Starship Down". He also played The Colonel in Dreamworks Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.
Cromwell has had additional successes on television throughout his career. His role as newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst in the television film RKO 281 earned him an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie. The following year, he received his second Emmy Award nomination for playing Bishop Lionel Stewart on the NBC medical drama series ER. In 2004, he guest-starred as former President D. Wire Newman in the The West Wing episode "The Stormy Present". From 2003 to 2005, Cromwell played George Sibley in the HBO drama series Six Feet Under, which earned him his third Emmy Award nomination in 2003. Along with the rest of his castmates, he was also nominated for two Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2005 and 2006. The following year, Cromwell played Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in The Queen (2006), that earned Helen Mirren an Academy Award for Best Actress. He also guest starred as Phillip Bauer, father of lead character Jack, in the sixth season of the Fox thriller drama series 24.
In October 2007, Cromwell played the lead role of James Tyrone Sr. in the Druid Theatre Company's production of Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night, at the Gaiety in Dublin as part of the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival's 50th Anniversary.[8] That same year he received the King Vidor Memorial Award from the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival for his artistic achievements in film. More recently, Cromwell played George Herbert Walker Bush in Oliver Stone's W. (2008), that chronicles the rise to power of his son up until the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In an interview, Cromwell revealed that Stone had originally offered the role to Warren Beatty and Harrison Ford.[9]
Personal life
Cromwell has long been an advocate of progressive causes, particularly in animal rights causes. In the late 1960s, he was a member of the "Committee to Defend the Panthers," a group organized to defend 13 members of the Black Panther Party who had been imprisoned in New York on charges of conspiracy. All thirteen were eventually released. In a 2004 interview with CNN.com, Cromwell praised the Panthers.[10] He became a vegetarian in 1974 after seeing a stockyard in Texas and experiencing the "smell, terror and anxiety."[11] He became an ethical vegan while playing the character of Farmer Hoggett in the movie Babe in 1995.[12] He frequently speaks out on issues regarding animal cruelty for PETA, largely the treatment of pigs.[13] In the book Money Men, author Jeffrey Birnbaum describes how John McCain went out of his way to meet Cromwell as he advocated on Capitol Hill for funding of Native American arts education.[14] He served as the narrator of the short film Farm to Fridge, a documentary produced by Mercy for Animals.[15] In an October 2008 interview, he strongly attacked the Republican Party and the George W. Bush administration, saying their foreign policy would "either destroy us or the entire planet."[9]
Cromwell is known for his tall stature; at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m), he is the tallest actor nominated for an Academy Award. His son John is even taller, standing at a height of 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m).[16] In the 2012 film Memorial Day John played the young Bud Vogel, while James played him as a grandfather,[17] and both Cromwells appear as the same character at different ages in season 2 of American Horror Story (2012), and season 1 of Betrayal (2013).
He was married to Ann Ulvestad from 1976 to 1986. They had three children. He married his second wife, actress Julie Cobb, on May 29, 1986. That marriage ended in divorce in 2005.[18] On January 1, 2014, actress Anna Stuart and Cromwell married at the home of her former Another World co-star Charles Keating.
In February 2013, Cromwell was arrested for interrupting a University of Wisconsin Board of Regents meeting while showing a graphic photo of a cat to protest alleged mistreatment of animals on campus.[19][20] The well-publicized incident, which garnered nationwide notice, was resolved March 25, 2013 when an attorney representing Cromwell entered no-contest pleas to the non-criminal offense and agreed to pay $100 forfeitures and court costs of $263.50.[21]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Stranded | Jerry Holmes | Television movie |
| 1976 | Once an Eagle | J. L. Cleghorne | Television movie |
| 1976 | Murder by Death | Marcel | |
| 1977 | Girl in the Empty Grave, TheThe Girl in the Empty Grave | Deputy Malcolm Rossiter Jr. | Television movie |
| 1978 | Cheap Detective, TheThe Cheap Detective | Schnell | |
| 1977 | Deadly Game | Deputy Malcolm Rossiter Jr. | Television movie |
| 1980 | A Christmas Without Snow | Reverend Lohman | Television movie |
| 1981 | Barefoot in the Park | Harry Pepper | Television movie |
| 1981 | Nobody's Perfekt | Dr. Carson | |
| 1982 | Rainmaker, TheThe Rainmaker | Noah Curry | Television movie |
| 1982 | Wall, TheThe Wall | Francisek | Television movie |
| 1982 | Born to the Wind | Fish Belly | |
| 1983 | Man with Two Brains, TheThe Man with Two Brains | Realtor | |
| 1984 | House of God, TheThe House of God | Officer Quick | |
| 1984 | Tank | Deputy Euclid Baker | |
| 1984 | Revenge of the Nerds | Mr. Skolnick | Credited as "Jamie Cromwell" |
| 1984 | Oh, God! You Devil | Priest | |
| 1984 | Spraggue | Lieutenant Hurley | Television movie |
| 1984 | Earthlings | Simon Games | Television movie |
| 1985 | Explorers | Mr. Müller | |
| 1986 | Fine Mess, AA Fine Mess | Detective Blist | |
| 1986 | Last Precinct, TheThe Last Precinct | Chief Bludhorn | |
| 1986 | Dream West | Major General David Hunter | Television movie |
| 1987 | Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise | Mr. Skolnick | |
| 1987 | Alison's Demise | Humboldt Hobson | Television movie |
| 1988 | Rescue, TheThe Rescue | Admiral Rothman | |
| 1989 | Runnin' Kind, TheThe Runnin' Kind | Unknown | |
| 1989 | Pink Cadillac | Motel Desk Clerk | |
| 1990 | Miracle Landing | B.J. Cocker | Television movie |
| 1991 | In a Child's Name | Unknown | Television movie |
| 1992 | Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation | Mr. Skolnick | Television movie |
| 1992 | Babe, TheThe Babe | Brother Mathias | |
| 1993 | Romeo Is Bleeding | Cage | |
| 1994 | Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love | Mr. Skolnick | Television movie |
| 1994 | The Shaggy Dog | Charlie 'the Robber' Mulvihill | Television movie |
| 1995 | Indictment: The McMartin Trial | Judge Pounders | Television movie |
| 1995 | Babe | Farmer Arthur Hoggett | |
| 1996 | Eraser | William Donohue | |
| 1996 | People vs. Larry Flynt, TheThe People vs. Larry Flynt | Charles Keating | |
| 1996 | Star Trek: First Contact | Dr. Zefram Cochrane | |
| 1997 | Owd Bob | Adam MacAdam | |
| 1997 | L.A. Confidential | Captain Dudley Smith | |
| 1997 | The Education of Little Tree | Granpa | |
| 1998 | Species II | Senator Judson Ross | |
| 1998 | Deep Impact | Alan Rittenhouse | |
| 1998 | Babe: Pig in the City | Farmer Arthur Hoggett | |
| 1999 | General's Daughter, TheThe General's Daughter | Lt. Gen. Joseph Campbell | |
| 1999 | Bachelor, TheThe Bachelor | Priest | |
| 1999 | Green Mile, TheThe Green Mile | Warden Hal Moores | |
| 1999 | Slight Case of Murder, AA Slight Case of Murder | John Edgerson | Television movie |
| 1999 | RKO 281 | William Randolph Hearst | Television movie |
| 1999 | Snow Falling on Cedars | Judge Fielding | |
| 2000 | Space Cowboys | Bob Gerson | |
| 2002 | Death in the Family, AA Death in the Family | Joel Lynch | Television movie |
| 2002 | The Magnificent Ambersons | Major Amberson | Television movie |
| 2002 | RFK | President Lyndon B. Johnson | Television movie |
| 2002 | Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron | The Colonel | |
| 2002 | Sum of All Fears, TheThe Sum of All Fears | President J. Robert Fowler | |
| 2002 | Nazi, TheThe Nazi | Franz | |
| 2003 | Blackball | Ray Speight | |
| 2003 | Snow Walker, TheThe Snow Walker | Walter Shepherd | |
| 2004 | I, Robot | Dr. Alfred Lanning | |
| 2004 | Salem's Lot | Father Donald Callahan | Television movie |
| 2005 | Longest Yard, TheThe Longest Yard | Warden Rudolph Hazen | |
| 2005 | Pope John Paul II | Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha | |
| 2006 | Avenger | Paul Devereaux | Television movie |
| 2006 | Queen, TheThe Queen | Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | |
| 2007 | Dante's Inferno | Virgil | |
| 2007 | Becoming Jane | Reverend Austen | |
| 2007 | Spider-Man 3 | Captain George Stacy | |
| 2008 | Hit Factor | Orson Fierce | |
| 2008 | Tortured | Jack | |
| 2008 | W. | George H. W. Bush | |
| 2009 | Lonely Place for Dying, AA Lonely Place for Dying | Howard Simons | |
| 2009 | Surrogates | Dr. Lionel Canter | |
| 2009 | Strikeout | Director | Television movie |
| 2009 | Last Days of Lehman Brothers, TheThe Last Days of Lehman Brothers | Hank Paulson | Television movie |
| 2010 | Secretariat | Ogden Phipps | |
| 2011 | Admissions | The Clerk | |
| 2011 | Artist, TheThe Artist | Clifton | |
| 2012 | Cowgirls n' Angels | Terence Parker | |
| 2012 | Memorial Day | Bud Vogel | |
| 2012 | Flying into Love | Lyndon B. Johnson | |
| 2012 | Still Mine | Craig Morrison | |
| 2012 | Soldiers of Fortune | Sam Haussmann | |
| 2013 | The Trials of Cate McCall | Justice Sumpter | |
| 2014 | Big Hero 6 | Professor Callaghan/Yokai | Voice |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Rockford Files, TheThe Rockford Files | Terry | Episode: "The Countess" |
| 1974 | All in the Family | Stretch Cunningham | 3 episodes |
| 1974 | Maude | Alfie | Episode: "Last Tango in Tuckahoe" |
| 1975 | Hot l Baltimore | Bill Lewis | 13 episodes |
| 1975 | Barbary Coast | Roy | Episode: "The Ballad of Redwing Jail" |
| 1976–1977 | Nancy Walker Show, TheThe Nancy Walker Show | Glen | 13 episodes |
| 1977 | Police Story | Lutz | Episode: "Ice Time" |
| 1977 | M*A*S*H | Captain Leo Bardonaro | Episode: "Last Laugh" |
| 1977 | Three's Company | Detective Lannigan | Episode: "Chrissy's Night Out" |
| 1977 | Barney Miller | Sgt. Wilkinson | Episode: "Group Home" |
| 1978 | Maude | Dr. Farrington | Episode: "The Obscene Phone Call" |
| 1978 | Alice | Detective Ralph Hilton | Episode: "Who Ordered the Hot Turkey?" |
| 1979 | Barney Miller | Neil Spencer | Episode: "Strip Joint" |
| 1979 | Eight Is Enough | Coach Pollard | Episode: "The Better Part of Valor" |
| 1979 | Diff'rent Strokes | Father O'Brien | Episode: "Arnold's Hero" |
| 1979 | White Shadow, TheThe White Shadow | Mr. Hamilton | Episode: "Mainstream" |
| 1980 | Flo | Leon | 2 episodes |
| 1980 | White Shadow, TheThe White Shadow | Art Cummings | Episode: "The Death of Me Yet" |
| 1980 | Little House on the Prairie | Harve Miller | 2 episodes |
| 1981 | Barney Miller | Jason Parrish | Episode: "Liquidation" |
| 1982 | Nurse | Paul Moore | Episode: "A Place to Die" |
| 1982 | Father Murphy | Farley Webster | 2 episodes |
| 1984 | Buffalo Bill | Staunton McMoller | Episode: "Jerry Lewis Week" |
| 1984 | Gimme a Break! | Russell Cosgrove | Episode: "Class of '84" |
| 1984–1985 | Dallas | Gerald Kane | 3 episodes |
| 1985 | Night Court | Alan | Episode: "Nuts About Hurry" |
| 1985 | Family Ties | John Hancock | Episode: "Philadelphia Story" |
| 1985 | Riptide | Joey Dietz | Episode: "Girls Night Out" |
| 1985 | Hardcastle and McCormick | Jake Fellows | Episode: "Undercover McCormick" |
| 1985 | Knight Rider | Curtis | Episode: "Ten Wheel Trouble" |
| 1985 | Wildside | Fake Buffalo Bill | Episode: "Buffalo Who?" |
| 1985 | Hill Street Blues | Lowenhandler | Episode: "Grin and Bear It" |
| 1985 | Hunter | Seymour Robbins | Episode: "Sniper" |
| 1985 | Twilight Zone, TheThe Twilight Zone | Obediah Payne | Episode: "A Message From Charity" |
| 1985–1986 | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Gregory | 2 episodes |
| 1986 | Amazing Stories | Francis | Episode: "One for the Road" |
| 1986 | Magnum, P.I. | French Policeman | Episode: "Photo Play" |
| 1986–1987 | Easy Street | Quentin Standard | 22 episodes |
| 1988 | China Beach | Ambassador | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1988 | Mr. Belvedere | Roy Gallagher | Episode: "Fat Cats" |
| 1988 | Mama's Boy | Lucky | 3 episodes |
| 1989 | Christine Cromwell | Arthur | Episode: "Things That Go Bump in the Night" |
| 1990 | Life Goes On | Bill Henderson | Episode: "Thacher and Henderson" |
| 1990 | Matlock | Judge Raymond Price | Episode: "Nowhere to Turn" |
| 1990 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Prime Minister Nayrok | Episode: "The Hunted" |
| 1991 | Young Riders, TheThe Young Riders | Jacob | Episode: "Peacemakers" |
| 1991 | Jake and the Fatman | Havilland | Episode: "It Never Entered My Mind" |
| 1993 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Jaglom Shrek | 2 episodes |
| 1994 | Home Improvement | Fred | Episode: "My Dinner with Wilson" |
| 1995 | Picket Fences | The Bishop | Episode: "Saint Zach" |
| 1995 | Hawkeye | Unknown | Episode: "The Visit" |
| 1995 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Hanok | Episode: "Starship Down" |
| 1995–1996 | Partners | Mr. Saxonhouse | 2 episodes |
| 1996 | Strange Luck | Minister | Episode: "Healing Hands" |
| 1996 | The Client | Officer Joe Denton | Episode: "The High Ground" |
| 2000 | Fail Safe | Gordon Knapp | Live broadcast |
| 2001 | ER | Bishop Stewart | 4 episodes |
| 2001 | Star Trek: Enterprise | Dr. Zefram Cochrane | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | Citizen Baines | Senator Elliot Baines | 7 episodes |
| 2003 | Angels in America | Henry | 2 episodes |
| 2003–2005 | Six Feet Under | George Sibley | 27 episodes |
| 2004 | West Wing, TheThe West Wing | President D. Wire Newman | Episode: "The Stormy Present" |
| 2007 | 24 | Phillip Bauer (Jack's father) | 8 episodes |
| 2007 | Masters of Science Fiction | Randolph Ludwin | Episode: "Watchbird" |
| 2008 | My Own Worst Enemy | Alistar Trumble | 6 episodes |
| 2009 | Impact | Lloyd | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Sotto il Cielo di Roma | Pope Pius XII | 2 episodes |
| 2012–2013 | Boardwalk Empire | Andrew W. Mellon | 4 episodes |
| 2012–2013 | American Horror Story: Asylum | Dr. Arthur Arden | 10 episodes |
| 2013 | Do No Harm | Dr. Phillip Carmelo | 3 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Betrayal | Thatcher Karsten | 13 episodes |
| 2014 | Murder in the First | Warren Daniels | 9 episodes |
| 2015 | Halt and Catch Fire | Jacob Wheeler | 2 episodes |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Long Day's Journey into Night | James Tyrone, Sr. | Druid Theatre |
| 2012 | Waiting for Godot | Pozzo | Center Theatre Group |
| 2014 | Rupert | Rupert Murdoch | Sydney Theatre Company |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Babe | Nominated |
| 1998 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | L.A. Confidential | Nominated |
| 2000 | Blockbuster Entertainment Awards | Favorite Supporting Actor – Suspense | The General's Daughter | Nominated |
| 2000 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | The Green Mile | Nominated |
| 2003 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie | RKO 281 | Nominated |
| 2001 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | ER | Nominated |
| 2003 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Six Feet Under | Nominated |
| 2005 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Six Feet Under | Nominated |
| 2005 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie Bad Guy | The Longest Yard | Nominated |
| 2006 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Six Feet Under | Nominated |
| 2012 | Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards | Best Cast | The Artist | Nominated |
| 2012 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | The Artist | Nominated |
| 2013 | Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Supporting Actor in a Movie/Miniseries | American Horror Story: Asylum | Nominated |
| 2013 | Genie Awards | Best Actor | Still Mine | Won |
| 2013 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie | American Horror Story: Asylum | Won |
References
- ↑ "Canadian Screen Awards raises the star wattage". Toronto Star, March 3, 2013.
- ↑ "John Cromwell – Films as director:, Other films:". Filmreference.com. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ↑ "Geneaology Data: John Oliver (James) Cromwell", Ancestry.com
- ↑ "Pedigree of Cromwell's family". Retrieved April 9, 2015.
- ↑ "The Rockford Files" The Countess (1974)
- ↑ "All in the Family (a Titles & Air Dates Guide)". Epguides.com. November 27, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ↑ "StarTrek.com Offers Commentary on 'In a Mirror, Darkly'". TrekToday. April 27, 2005. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ↑ Gaiety Theatre Dublin, Ireland – Irish Theatre
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "W: James Cromwell vs. George Bush Snr.". SuicideGirls. October 15, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2008.
- ↑ "Black Panther, drunk priest, kind farmer". CNN. June 18, 2004. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
- ↑ "AR-News James Cromwell interview in The Age (Melbourne) focuses on animal rights". EnviroLink Network. June 23, 2003. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ↑ Cardoni, Salvatore (December 27, 2011). "James Cromwell: You Don't Own Another Creature". Takepart.com. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ↑ "Select Your Media Preferences: James Cromwell's PETA Ad". Peta Tv. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ↑ The Money Men By Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, Crown Books 2000, page 181
- ↑ "Farm to Fridge". Meatvideo.com. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
- ↑ Ellis, Cynthia, "Tribeca Film Festival Interview: John and James Cromwell: A .45 at 50th", The Huffington Post, May 4, 2010
- ↑ Memorial Day review
- ↑ "James Cromwell files for divorce", Associated Press, January 14, 2005
- ↑ WMTV (2013-02-07). "Actor James Cromwell Arrested at UW Regents Meeting". Gray Television, Inc. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- ↑ "James Cromwell Arrested Protesting UW Cat Experiments". PETA. 2013-02-07. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
- ↑ "Attorney for actor James Cromwell agrees to fine for pro-animal outburst". The Cap Times.
Further reading
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Cromwell. |
- James Cromwell at the Internet Movie Database
- James Cromwell at the TCM Movie Database
- James Cromwell at AllMovie
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