Who was John Forsythe? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Jacob Lincoln Freund

Died At Age: 92

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Julie Warren (m. 1943–1994), Nicole Carter (m. 2002–2010), Parker McCormick (m. 1939–1943)

father: Samuel Jeremiah Freund

mother: Blanche Forsythe (née Blohm)

children: Brooke Forsythe, Dall W. Forsythe, Page Forsythe

Actors American Men

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

Died on: April 1, 2010

U.S. State: New Jersey

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Childhood & Early Life

John Forsythe was born as Jacob Lincoln Freund on 29th January 1918 in Penns Grove, New Jersey. His parents were Blanche Forsythe and Samuel Jeremiah Freund. Raised in New York, he completed his schooling from Abraham Lincoln High School after which he studied at the University of North Carolina.

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Career

John Forsythe began his acting career at the suggestion of his father. His first credited role on the big screen was in the film ‘Destination Tokyo’, a 1943 war film. For some time, he also served in the military during the World War II. He made his return to acting with a role in the play ‘Winged Victory’, which was based on the US Army Air Corps.

He played the lead role in the 1952 crime film ‘The Captive City’. The film was directed by Robert Wise. The next year, he played a lead role in the comedy film ‘It Happens Every Thursday’. Other films he appeared in over the next few years include ‘The Glass Web’ (1953), ‘The Trouble With Harry’ (1955), ‘The Ambassador’s Daughter’ (1956) and ‘Dubrowsky’ (1959).

From 1957, he played the lead role in the TV series ‘Bachelor Father’. The show aired for five seasons, covering 157 episodes. He was seen in many TV shows over the next few years, such as ‘See How they Run’, ‘Shadow on the Land’, ‘Murder once Removed,’ and ‘The World of Survival’. Meanwhile, he also continued his film career, appearing in films like ‘Kitten with a Whip’ (1964), ‘Madame X’ (1966), ‘Marooned’ (1969), ‘Goodbye & Amen’ (1978) and ‘Scrooged’ (1988).

He had a significant role in the crime drama TV series ‘Charlie’s Angels’. It aired from 1976 to 1981, covering five seasons. Though the show earned huge popularity among the audience, it received negative reviews from critics for lacking substance.

From 1981 to 1989, he played the lead role in the TV series ‘Dynasty’. The role, which won him the Golden Globe Award, can be also considered the most significant work of his career.

During his later television career, he appeared in shows, such as ‘The Colbys’, ‘Dynasty: The Reunion,’ ‘The Powers That Be,’ and ‘People’s Century’. His last works on the big screen include ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’ (1999), ‘Charlie’s Angels’ (2000) and ‘Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle’ (2003).

Major Works

‘Escape from Fort Bravo’, a 1953 film, is one of the early works in John Forsythe’s career. Directed by John Sturges, the film also starred William Holden, Eleanor Campbell, William Demarest, William Campbell, and Polly Bergen. The film did well commercially, earning around twice its budget. The story revolved around how a few soldiers escape from a prison camp with the help of a pretty woman named Carla Forester.

Forsythe’s role in the American soap opera ‘Dynasty’ can be regarded as his most important work on TV. Directed by Irving J. Moore, the story revolved around the Carringtons, a rich family residing in Denver, Colorado. Forsythe played the lead role of Blake Carrington, an oil magnate. The role eventually won him the Golden Globe Award twice. Other actors who starred in the series include Linda Evans, Joan Collins and John James. The series was nominated for twenty four Emmy Awards, out of which it won one.

Another important work in Forsythe’s career was his main role in the 1988 Christmas comedy film ‘Scrooged’. Directed by Richard Donner, the film also starred Bill Murray, Karen Allen, Bobcat Goldthwait and Carol Kane. The film did well commercially, earning nearly twice its budget. The story was about a cynical and selfish TV executive, who is visited by ghosts who help him regain his Christmas spirit.

Awards & Achievements

John Forsythe was nominated for the Golden Globe six times, for his brilliant performance in the TV series ‘Dynasty’. He won twice in the category of ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a TV series’ (1983 and 1984). He was also nominated for three Emmy awards for his work in the series.

Other awards won by him include a Golden Apple Award (1984), a Soap Opera Digest Award (1984) and two TV Land Awards. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Television—1960).

Personal Life

John Forsythe actress Parker Worthington in 1939 and had one child with her. They divorced shortly after. He then got married to actress Julie Warren in 1943. They had two daughters. Warren passed away in 1994. He got married again to Nicole Carter in 2002.

He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2006 but the cancer went into remission following treatment. He passed away due to pneumonia on 1st April 2010.

1984	Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama	Dynasty (1981)
1983	Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama	Dynasty (1981)

John Forsythe Biography