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James Karen
Age: 86
Height:
Birth Place: Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
Born: Nov. 28th, 1923
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James Karen's Main TV Roles
NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at
IMDB
BIOGRAPHY: Veteran Broadway, TV and film actor James Karen was encouraged as a young man to take up an acting career by U.S. Congressman Daniel J. Flood, who was an amateur actor himself. In 1947 Karen made his Broadway debut in "A Streetcar Named Desire", which led to appearances in over 20 Broadway productions. His television work began in 1948 with the telecast of "A Christmas Carol", directed by pioneer television producer / director Fred Coe. Since then he has acted in over 100 television shows, including a stint as as Chief Justice Michael Bancroft on "First Monday" (2002) for CBS. In 1965 he began his film work in the low-budget sci-fi "epic" Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster (1965) and now has an impressive resume of over 80 movies to his credit. He has also filmed a record-breaking 5,000+ television commercials, most while a spokesperson for the Pathmark Supermarket chain in the northeast US. He has been honored with the "Saturn Award" for Lifetime Achievement given by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films. He has also been presented "The Buster Award", by The International Buster Keaton Society. This award is given to the person who has demonstrated professional excellence in the tradition of Buster Keaton.
TRIVIA:
- In 2001, he received the "Buster" award, an annual honour given to one who demonstrates professional excellence in the tradition of 'Buster Keaton' (qv). He was a close friend of Buster Keaton and 'Eleanor Keaton' (qv) and toured with the legendary comedian on the 1950s stage with "Merton of the Movies" and in the 'Samuel Beckett' (qv) film entitled _Film (1965)_ (qv).
- Was a longtime friend of the late 'Robert Ludlum' (qv), best-selling author of the "Osterman Weekend" and the "Jason Bourne" novels, among others. Both men got to know each other as young, struggling actors after World War II and before Ludlum's career turned to writing.
- He's the son of a produce dealer and a folk singer.
- Studied acting at New York City's prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse under legendary acting coach 'Sanford Meisner' (qv).
- Once stated in an interview that when he could not find work as an actor, he earned a living by restoring and customizing cars.
- Became an actor thanks to the insistence of U.S. Congressman Daniel J. Flood (who was himself an amateur thespian).
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