Henry Fonda: biography and filmography

Henry Fonda is a famous actor who became the ancestor of the creative dynasty. This talented person decorated with his presence a lot of famous films: "12 angry men", "Grapes of anger", "Once in the Wild West", "Not the right person." What is known about the life and work of the Oscar winner who managed to film more than a hundred pictures?

Henry Fonda: Childhood

The future actor was born in Nebraska, and there was a joyful event in May of the distant 1905. Henry Fonda does not belong to the number of stars whose life path is predetermined almost from the moment of birth. The boy's family to the cinema world had absolutely nothing to do with it. My mother was a housewife, and my father owned a small printing house. After the birth of the only son, Henry's parents got two more daughters.

Surprisingly, the future conqueror of women's hearts grew shy child, distinguished by a heightened sense of justice. Because of his desire to defend the truth and protect the weak Henry Foundation was often in difficult situations. On the actor's career the boy did not even think then. He was going to become a journalist, fight against prejudices, which then existed in the world, to share his observations with people. Of course, he wrote stories that never found their reader.

Youth years

By the end of schooling, the future lycee was carried away by sports, began to visit various sections. The young man was engaged in running, he liked to swim and skate. The boy's family needed money, so even in high school Henry Fonda had to get a job. The longest time he worked in the telephone company, holding the position of assistant manager.

After graduation, the young man began to realize his long-standing dream of becoming a reporter. Learn the basics of the profession, he decided at the University of Minnesota, easily becoming a student of the Faculty of Journalism. However, soon the future actor lost interest in journalism. This prompted him to interrupt the training process and obtain a position in the credit company.

Choice of profession

Who knows how long his search for the path of life would have continued, had it not been for the intervention of chance. The mother of the young man was the friend of the mother of the famous Marlon Brando. It was thanks to Dorothy that he became an actor for Henry Fonda. The biography of the star claims that she invited the owner of a pretty appearance to take part in the production of an amateur theatrical company, which at that time was in charge. One of the actors could not go on stage, so the woman was forced to seek a replacement for him.

The first performance, in which Henry played a small role, was the production of "You and Me." Having once risen on the stage, the failed journalist realized that his heart belongs to the theater. Of course, he immediately joined the troupe, began to actively participate in its work. However, the final decision to become an actor of the Fund took only three years later, because he was not sure of his talent. He resigned from the credit firm and began touring the States with his theater.

First successes

The first appearance of the actor on Broadway dates back to 1929. It was then that the play "The Game of Love and Death" was presented to the attention of the audience, the story of which was borrowed from the play of Rolland. The role, which was then received by Henry Fonda, naturally turned out to be insignificant. The position of the supernumerary young man occupied up to March 1934, when the situation changed the play "New faces", in which he first attracted attention.

Rumors about the talent of the newcomer reached Hollywood, where he was invited by producer Walter Wanger. The fee Henry requested was one thousand dollars a week. With him was a contract, according to the terms of which he was obliged to appear in two films every year. The Foundation was very pleased with such conditions, since he did not have to leave work in his beloved theater.

Starry hour

"The farmer marries" - the first picture in which Henry Fonda was shot. The filmography of a novice actor acquired this comedy drama in 1935. Surprisingly, the first film project, in which he played one of the key roles, gave him the status of a rising star. Spectators and critics were fascinated by his charming smile, clear eyes and confident movements. The Foundation was able to create the image of an ideal hero, in which at that time American cinema was in dire need.

Of course, the Foundation played not only romantic heroes. He was also able to embody the images of criminals, but most of his negative characters became villains involuntarily, were victims of injustice. For example, you can remember Eddie Taylor - the character that Henry played in the drama "You Live Only Once", presented to the audience in 1937. His hero comes out of prison, finds a job and tries to start living anew, but insurmountable circumstances again push him onto the crooked path.

Bright roles of the 30-40's

His great creative success Henry Foundation actor considered the picture "Young Mr. Lincoln." Not everyone has the opportunity to play one of the most outstanding people of the United States. In preparation for the role, he studied many books devoted to the president. The image of Lincoln actor embodied in 1939.

Huge popularity was gained by the tape "Grapes of anger", the plot of which was taken from the same name by Steinbeck. In this drama of the Fund once again played one of the central roles. The picture is devoted to the difficult life of the Jowd family in Oklahoma, which dealt with the problems that many small farmers had to face in the era of the economic crisis. The role gave Henry a nomination for the Oscar award.

Foundation - an actor who starred in a lot of westerns. For example, I remember the picture "Incident in Oaks-Bow", in which he embodied the image of the cowboy Carter. The character played by Henry in this tape was ready to defend the triumph of justice at the cost of his own life. Other Westerns with his participation turned out to be successful: "Jesse James", "My dear Clementine." One can not help but mention the witty film "Lady Eva", in which the actor demonstrated to the world that he can play brilliantly and comedic roles.

What else to see

Of course, not all the outstanding paintings in which Henry Fonda managed to be removed are listed above. Films worthy of attention of fans of the talented actor, left and in post-war years. For example, we can not fail to mention the film epic "War and Peace" presented to the audience in 1956. In this tape the star of American cinema embodied the image of Pierre Bezukhov. The actor brilliantly played this hero, he did not stop even the absence of external resemblance to the character. Bezukhov in his performance turned out to be an elegant and charming aristocrat.

A lot of time the actor took preparation for filming in the film "12 angry men", in which he embodied the image of the architect Davis. He carefully thought out the subtleties of the character of his character, who happened to be a jury, on which the fate of the defendant depends. Another outstanding film with the participation of the actor - "Once Upon a Time in the Wild West". Henry Fonda played in this drama, merciless to his victims hired killer.

Personal life

It can not be said that the actor was lucky in his personal life. He entered into a legal marriage five times, and his two spouses laid hands on themselves. Personal happiness he managed to find only at the end of life, when he met the young flight attendant Shirley Adams. The star had three children, two of them (Jane and Peter) followed in the footsteps of the famous father, choosing an acting profession. One can not help but mention that Henry is a native grandfather of the famous actress Bridget of the Foundation.

Henry Fonda, whose photo can be seen in this article, passed away in August 1982. The last picture with his participation was published in 1981.

Interesting Facts

During his lifetime, the actor owned a small farm located in Brentwood. Growing vegetables - a hobby, for which he was willing to spend almost all his free time. Being small, his children could not even understand who his father was working with, believing that he was a farmer. There were celebrities and more creative hobbies: photography, sculpture, painting. He especially liked drawing. Nowadays, the landscapes painted by his hand are very popular among collectors, they receive positive reviews of critics.

Henry is the owner of the Bronze Star. This honorable award was presented to the master for his combat services during the Second World War. At the front, he spent about three years, joining in August 1942 to the US Navy. By the end of the war, the Fund had risen to an officer in air reconnaissance.