James Karen Add to My Celebs Age 88 Birthday Nov. 28th, 1923 Born in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, USA Height

James Karen's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) First Monday Justice Mic… Movies That Shook the World James Karen Bodies of Evidence Gil Murphy The Powers of Matthew Star Major Wymore

Main Movie Roles 2009 - Dark And Stormy Night 2006 - Superman Returns 2006 - The Pursuit of Happyness 2001 - Mulholland Drive 2000 - Thirteen Days 1999 - Any Given Sunday 1998 - Apt Pupil 1997 - Behind Enemy Lines 1997 - Joyride 1996 - Up Close & Personal 1995 - Congo 1995 - Nixon 1988 - Return of the Living Dead Part II 1987 - Wall Street 1986 - Invaders from Mars 1985 - Jagged Edge 1985 - The Return of the Living Dead 1982 - Poltergeist 1982 - Time Walker 1982 - Frances 1981 - Take This Job and Shove It 1980 - The Jazz Singer 1979 - The China Syndrome 1978 - F.I.S.T 1978 - Capricorn One 1976 - All the President's Men 1965 - Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster

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:

• He's the son of a produce dealer and a folk singer.
• 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.
• Studied acting at New York City's prestigious Neighborhood Playhouse under legendary acting coach 'Sanford Meisner' (qv).
• Became an actor thanks to the insistence of U.S. Congressman Daniel J. Flood (who was himself an amateur thespian).
• Once stated in an interview that when he could not find work as an actor, he earned a living by restoring and customizing cars.

James Karen Photos

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