Although this dashing baritone initially made a splash as the romantic lead in both the stage and screen incarnations of
The Unsinkable Molly Brown in the 1960s, the golden age of movie musicals was on the brink of death. After a few more big-screen appearances — including a respectable turn in the infamous
Paint Your Wagon featuring the vocal stylings of Clint Eastwood — Presnell returned to the stage in the 1970s, appearing mostly in regional theater for the next two decades. In the mid-1990s the balding sexagenarian reinvented himself as a character actor with a string of meaty movie and TV turns, including imposing performances in
Fargo and
The Chamber, as well as recurring roles on
The Pretender, Dawson's Creek and
Andy Barker, P.I. At the age of 75, Presnell died in June 2009 due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
Harve Presnell Fast Facts:
- Had never previously seen a Broadway musical when he opened in 1960's The Unsinkable Molly Brown.
- Played Rhett Butler in London's musical version of Gone With the Wind.
- Appeared in numerous TV series, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Nash Bridges, Grace Under Fire and Duckman.
- Played Oliver Warbucks--more than 2000 times--in the stage production of Annie and its sequel, Annie Warbucks.
- Known for his strong voice and imposing 6-foot-4 frame.
- Harve Presnell Relationships:
- Bonnie Mae Presnell - Sister
- Joanne Presnell - Sister
- Sheri Presnell - Ex-wife
- Veeva Suzanne Hamblen - Wife
- Etoile - Daughter
- Stephanie - Daughter
- Shannon - Daughter
- Raine - Daughter
- Harve Presnell Awards:
- 1965 Golden Globe: New Star of the Year - Actor - Winner
- College:
- Attended University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA