Henry Fonda
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
- 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
- Was a roommate of James Stewart when they were both struggling actors
Awards
- 1936Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (February):Winner
- 1936Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (April):Winner
- 1936Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (May):Winner
- 1936Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (August):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 (August):Winner
- 1939Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (May):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
- 1957Etoile de Cristal - Best Foreign Actor (Meilleur acteur étranger):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 ActorWinner
- 1982NSFC Award - Best Actor:Nominated
- 1983BAFTA Film Award - Best Actor:Nominated