Tom Ewell

Birth Name:

Samuel Yewell Tompkins

Birth Place:

Owensboro, Kentucky, United States

Profession

Actor, Soundtrack

Was inducted into the Owensboro High School Hall of Fame in 2003
Though he lived to 85, he was survived by his mother, who lived to be 109
His family expected him to be a lawyer or a whiskey and tobacco dealer, as was the family tradition
Played comedic supporting roles for years, moving up from summer stock to Broadway and eventually to film and television
Played his most identifiable role in "The Seven Year Itch" over 900 times on stage before reprising it in the film of the same name
Claimed that he had never seen any of the films he appeared in, as he was too self-critical to bear watching them
His character was Marilyn Monroe's admirer in the iconic scene of "The Seven Year Itch" where her skirt blows up over a subway grate

1951Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (May):Winner
1956Golden Globe - Best Actor - Comedy or Musical:Winner
1977Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:Nominated

Fast Facts