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Henry Fonda Biography

Birth Name:Henry Jaynes Fonda

Birth Place:Grand Island, Nebraska, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Earned the rank of Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America
Honored in 2005 with a postage stamp with his likeness issued by the U․S․ Post Office
Ranked No․ 6 on the American Film Institute's "100 Years․․․ 100 Stars" list for Male Legends
Started acting at the Omaha Community Playhouse at the age of 20 when his mother's friend, the mother of actor Marlon Brando, suggested that he try out for a part in a play
Quote: "If there is something in my eyes, a kind of honesty in the face, then I guess you could say that's the man I'd like to be, the man I want to be․"
Frequently portrays heroic, justice-seeking characters in his films
Known for the cat-like walk he displays in many roles, especially in westerns
A staunch Democrat, he almost lost his friendship with Jimmy Stewart after the two got into an argument about the blacklisting in the film industry in 1947
Was a roommate of James Stewart when they were both struggling actors
Fought against prejudice in his adult life after witnessing firsthand the lynching of Will Brown
Served during World War II for three years in the Pacific

Awards

1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
1937Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1939NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
1939NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1941Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
1943Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
1943Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1947Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1956Golden Laurel-Top Male Comedy Performance: winner
1958Oscar-Best Picture: nominated
1958BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: winner
1958Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: nominated
1958Diploma of Merit-Best Foreign Actor: winner
1963Golden Laurel-Top Male Dramatic Performance: nominated
1965Golden Laurel-Dramatic Performance, Male: nominated
1968Golden Laurel-Male Comedy Performance: nominated
1973Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Single Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1975Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Special Program - Drama or Comedy: nominated
1980Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1981LAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
1981NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
1981NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1982Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
1982Marquee-Best Actor: winner
1982Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
1982Best Actor-: winner
1982NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1983BAFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated