James Whitmore, RIP

[Emher]

Of course, where many of us will probably know him is from Shawshank Redemption. Not a huge role, but one that left an impact.

R.I.P. Mr. Whitmore.

Definetly. A very touching character fate.

Rest in Peace, Mr Whitmore.

 

[stj]

For some reason I thought he died last year. I regretted it then. Whitmore was one of those familiar faces who had brought to life many, many roles, large and small.

 

[Gil T.Azell]

R.I.P.
Sir

 

[M'Sharak]

I looked up the name to see where I knew him from, but it turns out I've seen the name James Whitmore, Jr., as the director of many NCIS, 24, Enterprise, Quantum Leap and The Unit episodes.

They're father and son. The younger Whitmore is actually James III.

While James Whitmore (the elder) was known for dramatic roles and for his Harry Truman monologue, the role I probably think of first was his turn as the grouchy Chief of Surgery Dr. Campanelli on the hospital sitcom Temperatures Rising, with a not-yet-well-known Cleavon Little as his co-star and comic foil. That incarnation of the show lasted only a season, but I thought Whitmore was brilliant, and I remember him from many other roles before and since. (Just checking now, I find I'd forgotten that he also voiced the Mark Twain character in the 1986 Claymation "Adventures of Mark Twain" produced by Will Vinton.)