Actors

Sadie Frost – Who is Jude Law’s ex-wife – Sadie Frost? Wiki

Published

3 months ago

February 9, 2024

• Sadie Frost is an English fashion designer, actress, author, and producer
• She has appeared in several music videos, films, and television series
• In 1999 she co-founded the fashion label Frost French, and in 2004 co-founded production company Natural Nylon
• In 2010 she wrote and published “Crazy Days”, an autobiography
• She is the godmother of Lila Grace Moss, Kate Moss’ daughter

Contents

1 Early life, family, educational background
2 Career
3 Personal life
4 Hobbies, favorite things, and interesting facts
5 Appearance
6 Net worth and salary
7 Who is Jude Law?

Early life, family, educational background

English fashion designer, actress, author, and producer Sadie Liza Vaughan was born on 19 June 1965, in Islington, London, England, to actress Mary Davidson and David Vaughan, a psychedelic artist who worked for The Beatles.

When she spoke to the Sunday Times, she said her childhood was a ‘chaotic but positive experience.’ She was born in Islington, but after her parents’ split, she spent the majority of her childhood in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. David and Mary had multiple relationships between the two of them, which resulted in Sadie having a lot of siblings. She is the half-sister of fellow actresses Jade Davidson and Holly Davidson; brothers Tobias Vaughan and Gabriel Jupiter; primary school teacher Jessi Frost and a sister, Sunshine Purple Tara Velvet.

When she was three-years-old, she starred in a Jelly Tots ad, and when five-years-old appeared with the comic double act, Morecambe and Wise. She won a scholarship to attend the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, but after suffering from an early eating disorder, she left the school when she was 13 and gave up acting. She then attended Hampstead School.

Building on her foundation from studying acting at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, she attended the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre when she was 19. After graduating in 1984, she escaped her parents by leaving home, and that year appeared in “Mumbo Jumbo” at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, a play directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Career

Sadie’s debut film role was in 1987 in “Empire State.” In 1989 she appeared in “Diamond Skulls,” and in 1990 played Alice in the television movie “A Ghost in Monte Carlo.”

Her best-known appearance was as vampire Lucy Westerna in 1992’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” which was produced by Francis Ford Coppola.

However, she became noted for appearing in music videos, including “Not Over Yet ’99” by Planet Perfecto featuring Grace, “Common People” by Pulp, and several Spandau Ballet videos. It was at the Spandau Ballet productions that she met Gary Kemp, her first husband. In 1990, they appeared in the film “The Krays” together, then appeared in two other films as well, including 1994’s “Magic Hunter” wherein they had to perform a love scene together, although they were separated at the time in real life.

Sadie Frost

In 1994 she was cast as Jo, the lead role in Paul W.S. Anderson’s directorial debut “Shopping”, acting opposite Jude Law. After marrying Jude and giving birth to their three children, she took fewer acting roles, and turned her focus to co-founding a production company and producing films. In 1997 she founded the production company Natural Nylon with several other actors, including Jude Law, Jonny Lee Miller, and Ewan McGregor. In 1999 the company produced “eXistenZ,” a science-fiction-horror film, and in 2000 created “Nora.” The production company no longer exists.

In 1999 she played Laura Cheveley in “An Ideal Husband”, and the Governess in “Presence of Mind.” In 2000 she played Sadie in “Love, Honor, and Obey,” and the following year appeared in “Uprising” as Zivia Lubetkin.

Sadie has appeared in several television series too, including “Casualty” in 1988, “Press Gang”” in 1989, and “Ruth Rendell Mysteries” in 1999.

In 2004 she co-produced “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow,” starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie.

Along with her friend, Jemima French, in 1999 Sadie co-founded the fashion label Frost French. The label began with only lingerie, and then grew into also producing clothing collections. In 2004, Frost French won Elle’s Designers of the Year Award. Sadie and Jemima appeared on “Project Runway” as guest judges. In 2011 the label closed due to issues regarding merchandise supply and investments.

In 2004 she wrote and produced “What Sadie Did Next,” a short series for E4. In 2005 she appeared in BBC 2’s “Eating with… Sadie Frost.”

For the Homes of Hope project in March 2006, she flew to South Africa to part-fund an orphanage.

She posed naked in September 2006 for Canadian photographer Bryan Adams. The photographs were a PETA anti-fur advert, and came out at the same time as London Fashion Week. She was 41 at the time.

She made her West End debut in 2009 in Zoë Lewis’ play, “Touched For the Very First Time”; the play was produced by Imogen Lloyd Webber, directed by Douglas Rintoul, and was a one-woman show.

In January 2010, she co-starred alongside Carl Barat in the play “Fool for Love” at the Riverside Studios theater.

In 2012 Sadie co-founded Blonde to Black Pictures, another production company with Emma Comley, a long-term friend. Sadie shared with the Guardian, ‘Our entire vision was supposed to cultivate new talent, provide individuals chances … take risks and to do a lot of it on our own.’ Their first feature movie was “Buttercup Bill” in 2014.

Personal life

Sadie met songwriter and guitarist Gary Kemp of the British band, Spandau Ballet, in 1981 while dancing in one of their music videos. She was 16 at the time, so they fell out of contact until they were both 21. They began dating soon after reuniting, and married on 7 May 1988, shortly before her 23^rd birthday. On 20 September 1990, their son, Finlay Munro Kemp, was born, but Sadie and Gary divorced on 19 August 1995.

While working on the film “Shopping,” she met fellow actor Jude Law on set.

On 2 September 1997 they married, and had three children together – son Rafferty born on 6 October 1996, daughter Iris Tallulah on 25 October 2000, and another son, Rudy Indiana Otis Law born on 10 September 2002, but Sadie and Jude divorced on 29 October 2003. She declared Kate Moss as Iris’ godmother and BBC Radio 1 DJ, Nick Grimshaw as her godfather. Their older son was named among GQ’s best dressed British guys.

In 2010 Sadie wrote and published “Crazy Days,” an autobiography. Jude hired a leading firm of solicitors, Atkins Thomson, to demand that all mention of their marriage would be removed from the book, a document consisting of 100 pages. Additionally, he objected to the publication of photographs of their children and any minor domestic details. The case was settled at the High Court.

Hobbies, favorite things, and interesting facts

Sadie is a vegetarian.

She is the godmother of Lila Grace Moss, Kate Moss’ daughter.

In 1994 she turned down the role of Elizabeth in “Frankenstein” as she did not want to be typecast, as in 1992 she portrayed a similar role in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.”

The director of “Mary Reilly,” Stephen Frears, chose Sadie to play the title role in 1996, but the studio wanted Julia Roberts.

In 1995, Michael Caton-Jones chose her to play Mary in the film, “Rob Roy.” However, the producers disagreed with the director’s choice and encouraged him to cast a more famous actress; Jessica Lange landed the role.

Appearance

She has hazel eyes and dark brown hair. She is 5ft 3ins (1.6m) tall, weighs around 128lbs (58kgs), and her vital statistics are 36-28-34.

Net worth and salary

Sadie’s net worth has been estimated at around $4 million, as of mid-2020.

Who is Jude Law?

English actor David Jude Heyworth Law was born on 29 December 1972 in London, where he was raised.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5Q1Q_FWoS/

He began acting in theatre before appearing in small roles in feature films. In 1999 his performance in Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” gained recognition, and for which he won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. In 2001 he appeared in Steven Spielberg’s “A.I. Artificial Intelligence” and “Enemy at the Gates,” for both of which he received commercial and critical acclaim. He earned BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for his role in the 2003 war film “Cold Mountain.”

Some of his films have not received the same critical and commercial success, such as the 2004 films “Alfie” and “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow”, but the same year he also starred in “Closer” as the romantic lead, which was well-received, much like his appearance in “The Holiday” in 2006.

Jude Law makes me WEAK 🔥🔥 #JudeLaw pic.twitter.com/BlQzbpEg2W

— Lucy | 🥭 🇦🇹 🇨🇭 🇳🇱 (@barchiedestiny) June 3, 2020

In 2009 he played Dr. Watson in “Sherlock Holmes” alongside Robert Downey Jr., who played the title character, roles they reprised in the 2011 sequel “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.” That year, he also appeared in supporting roles in two other films, “Hugo” and “Contagion,” both receiving positive reviews.

He starred in the 2017 film “The Young Pope,” and in 2018 played Albus Dumbledore in “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.” The following year he played Yon-Rogg in “Captain Marvel,” which is his highest-grossing film to date.

Jude has appeared on stage and has appeared in several Broadway and West End productions, including “Hamlet,” “Les Parents Terribles” and “Anna Christie.”

He has five children with three different women. Sadie and Jude have three children together, his daughter with American model Samantha Burke was born in September 2009, and his daughter with Catherine Harding was born in 2015. On 1 May 2019, he married Phillipa Coan.

He has received numerous awards, including a BAFTA Film Award as well as nominations for two Tony Awards, two Academy Awards, three Laurence Olivier Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. In 2007 he was recognized for his contribution to World Cinema Arts and was thereafter named a knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government.

His net worth is estimated at over $45 million, as of mid-2020.

Actors

Who is Elodie Yung? Ethnicity, Height, Husband, Net Worth

Published

9 mins ago

April 27, 2024

Daniel Wanburg

Contents

1 Élodie Yung Wiki Bio
2 Education and early life
3 Roles in TV series
4 Roles in movies
5 Other credits
6 Love life and husband
7 Interesting facts and hobbies
8 Height, eyes and wealth

Élodie Yung Wiki Bio

French actress Élodie Yung was born in Paris, France, on 22 February 1981, meaning that Pisces her zodiac sign. She’s had roles in 27 TV series and movies, but is perhaps known best for playing Hathor in the 2016 action fantasy adventure movie “Gods of Egypt”, directed by Alex Proyas, and which starred Brenton Thwaites, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Gerard Butler. It follows god Horus and mortal hero Bek, who’ve teamed up against the god of darkness Set – the film won two of its 16 award nominations.

Image source

Education and early life

Élodie was raised in Paris by her French mother and Cambodian father; not many details have been shared about Élodie’s parents, because they prefer to stay away from media, and she’s believed to be an only child, as she hasn’t spoken about having siblings.

She was nine when she began practicing karate, and 18 when she earned her black belt. Élodie became interested in acting while attending a local high school in Paris, and was 16 when she appeared in her first school play. She matriculated in 1999 and then enrolled at University of Paris, from which she graduated with a law degree in 2003.

Her initial plan was to become a judge, however, after launching her career in the film industry, Élodie chose acting over law; she enrolled at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art in 2010, and graduated with a Master’s degree in 2012.

Roles in TV series

Élodie made her debut TV series appearance in 2002, when cast to play Jade Perrin in 30 episodes of the drama “La Vie Devant Nous”, which failed to attract any attention, and from 2005 through 2007, she played Fanny Ledoin in three episodes of the family comedy “Mademoiselle Joubert”.

The year 2007 saw her play Josephine in the crime mini-series “Internal Security”, while from 2006 through 2010, Élodie starred as Laura Maurier in the crime action “Les Bleus: Premiers Pas Dans la Police”, created by Stephane Giusti and Alain Robillard, and which starred Nicolas Gob, Raphael Lenglet and Luc Thuillier. It follows the lives of six young adults who’ve just begun working for the Paris’ metropolitan police, and the series won two awards.

In 2016, Élodie was the first non-American girl to portray Elektra Natchios, in 10 episodes of the critically acclaimed crime action “Daredevil”, which Drew Goddard created, and which starred Deborah Ann Woll, Vincent D’Onofrio and Charlie Cox. It follows a blind attorney who’s also the masked vigilante known as Daredevil, the series aired from 2015 through 2018, and won nine of its 57 award nominations.

Élodie reprised her role as Elektra in all the eight episodes of the 2017 action crime adventure “The Defenders”, while the year 2021 heard her voice Alice in the episode “Pop Squad” of the critically acclaimed short animated action “Love, Death & Robots”.

Most recently, in 2022, Élodie starred as Thony in all the 23 episodes of the crime thriller “The Cleaning Lady”, created by Miranda Kwok, and which also starred Adan Canto and Oliver Hudson. It follows a Cambodian woman who’s come to the US so that her son could get proper medical treatment, and the series won two of its four award nominations.

Roles in movies

Élodie’s debut film appearance was in the 2004 action adventure “The Great Challenge”, directed by Julien Seri, and which starred Williams Belle, Chau Belle Dinh and Malik Diouf. It follows six parkour professionals who’ve opened a gym in Bangkok, Thailand, and the film was nominated for two awards.

The year 2007 saw Élodie play Isa in the drama “Fragile(s)”, while she was then cast to play Tao in the critically acclaimed 2009 action crime thriller “District 13: Ultimatum”, directed by Patrick Alessandrin, and which starred Cyril Raffaelli, David Belle and Philippe Torreton. It follows Leito and Damien as they’re trying to clean District 13 from the mafia controlling it, and the movie was nominated for a 2011 Saturn Award for Best DVD Release.

Some of Élodie’s following roles were in the 2010 action crime comedy “Operation Casablanca”, the 2010 short drama “Let Her” and the critically acclaimed 2011 crime mystery “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, which won 28 of its 119 award nominations, including an Oscar win for Best Achievement in Film Editing.

GI Joe: Retaliation's Elodie Yung is Elektra in @Marvel’s #Daredevil: Season 2 http://t.co/cmPLGXslCx @netflix pic.twitter.com/3zArfDAFQe

— IGN (@IGN) July 7, 2015

In 2013, Élodie played Jinx in the popular action science fiction adventure “G. I. Joe: Retaliation”, which Jon M. Chu directed, and which starred Adrianne Palicki, Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson. It follows the G. I. Joe team as they’re fighting Cobra, and the movie won one of its 13 award nominations.

Some of Élodie’s most recent film roles have been in the 2015 science fiction mystery thriller “Narcopolis”, the 2017 action crime comedy “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”, and the 2020 action adventure comedy “Secret Society of Second Born Royals”.

Other credits

Élodie produced the 2022 video game “Stay Alive My Son”, and is the producer and director of the upcoming short movie “Happy Ending”.

Some of her recent talk-show appearances have been in “Sherri”, “Dish Nation” and “Hollywood First Look”.

Love life and husband

Élodie rarely speaks about her love life in public, but it’s known that she’s today in a long-term relationship with American actor, screenwriter and producer Jonathan Howard, who’s probably known best for his roles in the action adventure fantasy movie “Thor: The Dark World”, and the action adventure horror film “World War Z”, both released in 2013.

Élodie announced in June 2018 that she was pregnant, and gave birth to her and Jonathan’s daughter Minnavan Howard on 2 August 2018.

There are today rumors circulating the internet claiming that Élodie and Jonathan have exchanged vows, however, neither of the two has addressed this.

Élodie’s in a long-term relationship with Jonathan Howard as of April 2023, hasn’t married and has a daughter with Jonathan.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmmXkzBuBmV/

Interesting facts and hobbies

More than 370,000 people are following Élodie on Instagram today, and she’s posted close to 600 pictures and videos onto the network; most of which feature her during her everyday life, whether she’s spending time with her boyfriend and daughter, or travelling to shoot for her movies and TV series.

Élodie’s physically highly active – her favorite season is winter as she’s an avid skier and snowboarder; she also often works out at the gym, and likes to play tennis with her friends.

She’s a dog-lover, and has a pet dog.

Élodie’s favorite actress is Audrey Tautou, while some of her favorite movies include “Amelie”, “A Very Long Engagement”, and “Coco Before Chanel”.

Height, eyes and wealth

Élodie’s age is 42. She has brown eyes and long black hair, is 5ft 7ins (1.7m) tall and weighs around 130lbs (59kgs).

Élodie’s net worth’s been estimated at over $2 million, as of April 2023.

Actors

What is Mackenzie Davis from ‘Terminator’ doing now? Biography

Published

6 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Daniel Wanburg

Contents

1 Who is Mackenzie Davis?
2 Education and early life
3 Roles in movies
4 Roles in TV series
5 Other credits
6 Awards and nominations
7 Love life and relationships
8 Interesting facts and hobbies
9 Height, eyes and wealth

Who is Mackenzie Davis?

Canadian actress, model and film producer Mackenzie Rio Davis, was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on 1 April 1987, making Aries her zodiac sign. She’s had roles in more than 30 TV series and movies, and is perhaps known best for playing one of the main characters Grace in the 2019 action science fiction adventure movie “Terminator: Dark Fate”, directed by Tim Miller, and which also starred Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger. It follows Sarah Connor and an augmented human as they’re trying to prevent a Terminator from killing a young girl; the movie won one of its 13 award nominations.

Mackenzie’s today focused on her acting career, and is currently shooting for the upcoming drama movie “Swimming Home”.

Image source

Education and early life

Mackenzie was raised in Vancouver by her British father John Davis who’s a hairdresser, and British mother Lotte who’s a graphic designer; Lotte and John are co-owners of the Canadian hair care company AG Hair.

Mackenzie studied at Collingwood School, and it was during her time there that she became passionate about acting, thus joining the school’s drama club. She matriculated in 2005, and continue her education at McGill University, from which she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2009, the honed her acting skills at New York City’s Neighborhood Playhouse.

Roles in movies

Mackenzie’s debut film role was playing Teri in the 2011 short romantic drama “Alex”, and some of her following roles were in 2012 in the drama “Smashed” and the crime thriller “The Hat Goes Wild”, and the 2013 romantic drama “Breathe In”.

Also in 2013, she portrayed Nicole in the critically acclaimed romantic comedy “What If”, directed by Michael Dowse, and which starred Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan and Megan Park. It follows Wallace who doesn’t have a lot of luck in love, but has now fallen for Chantry who’s already in a long-term relationship; the film won two of its 12 award nominations.

The year 2013 saw Mackenzie appear in three other movies: the crime thriller “Bad Turn Worse”, the science fiction comedy “Plato’s Reality Machine” and the short comedy “Moontown”. In 2014, she portrayed Chelsea in the popular romantic comedy “That Awkward Moment”, written and directed by Tom Gormican, and which starred Zac Efron, Michael B. Jordan and Miles Teller. It follows the lives of three best friends who are lost in their relationships, and the film won one of its three award nominations.

Mackenzie’s also known for starring as Izzy in the 2017 musical comedy “Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town”, written and directed by Christian Papierniak, and which also starred Dolly Wells and Alex Russell. It follows a woman from Los Angeles, California who’s on her way to crash her former boyfriend’s engagement party, and the film won three of its six award nominations.

Mackenzie’s three most recent film roles have been in the mystery horror “The Turning”, the comedy “Irresistible” and the drama “Happiest Season”, all released in 2020.

Roles in TV series

Mackenzie’s appeared in seven TV series – she made her debut playing Lucie in the 2012 episode “Safety Nets” of the comedy “I Just Want My Pants Back”, and the year 2016 saw her play Yorkie in the episode “San Junipero” of the critically acclaimed science fiction mystery “Black Mirror”, which Charlie Brooker created, and which starred Michaela Coel, Hannah John-Kamen and Daniel Lapaine. The anthology series tells a surreal and strange story in every episode, and it won 39 of its 148 award nominations.

From 2014 through 2017, Makenzie starred as Cameron Howe in all the 40 episodes of the drama “Halt and Catch Fire”, created by Christopher Cantwell and Christopher C. Rogers, and which also starred Lee Pace and Scoot McNairy. It follows a group of people who were involved in the ‘80s technological revolution, and the series won two of its 17 award nominations.

Mackenzie voiced Patricia in the 2017 episode “The Metric System” of the animated comedy “No Activity”, and played Princess Buttercup in the 2020 episode “Chapter Two: The Shrieking Eels” of the short fantasy comedy mini-series “Home Movie: The Princess Bride”.

In 2021 and 2022, she played the main character Kirsten Raymonde in all the 10 episodes of the critically acclaimed fantasy adventure “Station Eleven”, created by Patrick Somerville, and which also starred Himesh Patel and Matilda Lawler. It follows the people who’ve survived a devastating flu as they’re trying to rebuild their lives, and the mini-series won 13 of its 67 award nominations.

Mackenzie’s only other TV series role has been voicing Martha Kivelson in the 2022 episode “The Very Pulse of the Machine” of the short animated action “Love, Death & Robots”.

Congratulations to the #Station11 cast and crew on their 7 #Emmys2022 nominations. pic.twitter.com/jrxg7kG2H2

— Station Eleven (@Station11onmax) July 12, 2022

Other credits

Mackenzie produced the 2014 short drama movie “Send”, and the 2017 musical comedy film “Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town”; she’s currently producing and directing the upcoming short horror movie “Woaca”.

She received special thanks for the horror science fiction mystery movie “Vivarium”, and the horror mystery thriller film “Black Christmas”, both released in 2019.

Some of Mackenzie’s most recent talk-show appearances have been in “Entertainment Tonight”, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Late Late Show with James Corden”.

Awards and nominations

Mackenzie’s won eight of her 16 award nominations. Some of her wins include a 2019 Cinemacon Award for Best Ensemble, for her and her colleagues’ performance in “Terminator: Dark Fate”, a 2022 Pena de Prata Award for Best Ensemble in a Limited Series or Anthology Series and a 2022 Critics Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series, both for her performance in “Station Eleven”.

Love life and relationships

Mackenzie shies away from sharing details of her love life with her fans, but it’s widely believed that she’s today in a relationship with American model Gus Thompson. The two have attended several red carpet events together, while one of their first appearances was at an event in New York City in November 2015; Mackenzie and Gus have since often been spotted eating together at restaurants, and travelling around the US, but neither has addressed the rumors of them being romantically linked.

There are a number of people on the internet who believe that Gus is gay, and that he and Mackenzie are thus only close friends, but none of this has been confirmed; there are also those who believe that Mackenzie’s a lesbian, and was once in a relationship with famous American actress Kristen Stewart, but this hasn’t been confirmed either.

Mackenzie’s either single or in a relationship with Gus Thompson as of April 2023, hasn’t married, and doesn’t have children.

Interesting facts and hobbies

Mackenzie’s a fashionista, and is trying to keep up with all of the fashion trends by attending fashion shows and reading various fashion magazines, such as “Elle”, “Cosmopolitan” and “Vanity Fair”.

Only close to 10,000 people are following Mackenzie on Instagram today, as she’s only posted 24 pictures and videos onto the network, mostly related to her acting career. She launched her Twitter account in May 2018, but has tweeted only 54 times, and is followed by close to 3,000 people today.

Mackenzie follows a strict diet, thus her slim figure, and also works out at the gym several times every week.

Her favorite animals are kangaroos and penguins, and she has a pet dog.

Mackenzie’s favorite actress is Jennifer Aniston, while some of her favorite movies include “Love Happens”, “Life of Crime”, and “Wanderlust”.

Height, eyes and wealth

Mackenzie’s age is 36. She has blue eyes and brown hair, which she often dyes blonde; her height’s 5ft 10ins (1.78m), and she weighs around 155lbs (70kgs).

Mackenzie’s net worth’s been estimated at over $4 million, as of April 2023.

Actors

How Fred Gwynne Used His Voice, Height, and Humor to Charm Audiences

Published

6 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Daniel Wanburg

Contents

1 Who was Fred Gwynne?
2 Education and early life
3 Roles in TV series
4 Roles in movies
5 Other credits
6 Awards and nominations
7 Love life and marriages
8 Interesting facts and hobbies
9 Death and wealth

Who was Fred Gwynne?

The late American actor and author Frederick Hubbard ‘Fred’ Gwynne was born in New York City, USA, on 10 July 1926, meaning that Cancer was his zodiac sign. He appeared in 66 TV series and movies, and is perhaps still remembered best for portraying Judge Chamberlain Haller in the critically acclaimed 1992 crime comedy film “My Cousin Vinny”, directed by Jonathan Lynn, and which starred Joe Pesci, Marisa Tomei and Ralph Macchio. It follows two men from Alabama who’ve been accused of murder, and have hired their cousin attorney to defend them; the movie won six of its 12 award nominations, including an Oscar win for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Marisa Tomei).

Education and early life

Fred was raised in New York City alongside his siblings Bowers and Dorothy, both of whom died young, by their mother Dorothy Ficken Gwynne who was an artist and creator of the comic book character Sunny Jim, and father Frederick Walker Gwynne who was a co-owner of the company Gwynne Brothers.

Fred studied at Groton School and was mostly into sports during his teenage years, playing both football and basketball for school teams. He matriculated in 1944 and then joined the US Navy, serving on the submarine chaser USS Manville as a radioman during Second World War. After the war, Fred spent his summers working at the Duxbury Yacht Club as a swimming instructor, before enrolling at Harvard University in 1948, and graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in art in 1951. He went on to work for the humor publication “The Harvard Lampoon” as a cartoonist, and eventually became its president.

Roles in TV series

Fred’s debut TV series appearance was in the 1952 episode “A Man’s Game” of the drama “The Philco Television Playhouse”, and the following years saw him appear in an episode or two of the historical drama “You Are There”, the family comedy “The Phil Silvers Show”, and the drama “Studio One”.

From 1961 through 1963, he starred as Officer Francis Muldoon in all the 60 episodes of the comedy “Car 54, Where Are You?”, created by Nat Hiken, and which also starred Joe E. Ross and Paul Reed; the series follows the work of two police officers, and it won three of its seven award nominations. What also marked the ‘60s for Fred was portraying the lead character Herman Munster in the family fantasy comedy “The Munsters”, which Norm Liebmann and Ed Haas created, and which also starred Yvonne De Carlo and Al Lewis. It follows the members of a monster-family, and the series was nominated for five awards.

Fred appeared in only two TV series in the ‘70s: he played Pike in the 1971 episode “Paradise Lost” of the musical “Dames at Sea” and a supporting character in the 1972 episode “Aunt Dorothy’s Playroom” of the comedy “Norman Corwin Presents”.

Did you guys know Fred Gwynne, beloved actor, was also an illustrator who wrote children’s books? I had no idea until I stumbled on The King Who Rained in a friend’s basement.
(1/4) pic.twitter.com/OZxw2OZeMw

— vince dorse (@vincedorse) November 30, 2019

He had only four other TV series roles, with his final three having been in two episodes of the 1985 drama “Kane & Abel”, the 1987 episode “The Algonquin Round Table: The Ten Year Lunch” of the biographical musical documentary “American Masters”, and the 1990 episode “Earthday Birthday” of the animated family musical “HBO Storybook Musicals” (voice role).

Roles in movies

Fred’s debut film role was playing Slim in one of the best movies of all time – the 1954 crime thriller “On the Waterfront”. It was directed by Elia Kazan and starred Marlon Brando, Karl Malden and Lee J. Cobb, and follows the life of a New Jersey longshoreman who doesn’t have what it takes to stand up to his corrupt union bosses; it won 38 of its 47 award nominations, eight Oscar wins including for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Eva Marie Saint), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Marlon Brando) and Best Director (Elia Kazan) as well as Best Picture.

Some of Fred’s following roles were in the 1964 comedy “My Son, the Witch Doctor”, the 1965 family musical comedy “Marineland Carnival: The Munsters Visit Marineland” and the 1966 family fantasy comedy “Munster, Go Home!”

The year 1972 saw Fred play Cab Driver in the evergreen fantasy comedy “Harvey”, directed by Fielder Cook, and which starred James Stewart, John McGiver and Marian Hailey; it follows Elwood P. Dowd and his invisible six-foot tall rabbit. Some of his other roles in the ‘70s were in the 1976 drama “Bound for Freedom”, the 1977 adventure “Captains Courageous”, and the 1979 mystery thriller “Sanctuary of Fear”.

In 1986, Fred portrayed The Commissioner in the romantic crime comedy “Off Beat”, directed by Michael Dinner, and which starred Judge Reinhold, Meg Tilly and Cleavant Derricks; it follows a librarian who’s fallen in love with a police officer.

Fred’s final three movie roles were in the 1990 crime thriller “Murder in Black and White”, the 1991 comedy “Shadows and Fog”, and the 1992 biographical historical drama “Lincoln” (voice role).

Image source

Other credits

Fred sang four songs in the 1969 family fantasy movie “The Littlest Angel”, and the song “Let’s Have a Simple Wedding” in the 1971 musical film “Dames at Sea”.

He received special thanks for the 1994 crime comedy movie “Teresa’s Tattoo” (posthumous).

The 2005 short movie “The King Who Rained” was based on Fred’s eponymous book.

Some of his final talk-show appearances were in “The Danny Kaye Show”, “Good Morning America”, and “Anyone for Tennyson? The Master Poets Collection”.

Awards and nominations

Fred was nominated for a 1993 American Comedy Award for Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture, for his performance in “My Cousin Vinny”, and was also nominated for a 2004 TV Land Award for Favorite Crimestopper Duo, for his and Joe E. Ross’ performance in “Car 54, Where Are You?”, and a 2005 TV Land Award for Most Uninsurable Driver, for “The Munsters”.

Love life and marriages

Fred married twice. His first wife was American socialite Jean ‘Foxy’ Reynard, perhaps known best as a granddaughter of William Jay Gaynor, the late American politician and New York City mayor. Fred and Jean married in 1952, and she gave birth to their son Kieron in 1953 (died in 1998), while their daughter Gaynor followed in 1954. Jean gave birth to their second son Evan in 1956, their third son Dylan in 1962 (died by drowning in the following year) and second daughter Madyn in 1965. Fred and Jean’s divorce was finalized in 1980.

His second wife was non-celebrity American Deborah Flater – the two the married in 1988 and were together until Fred’s death.

Interesting facts and hobbies

Fred was also a children’s book illustrator, and worked on “A Little Pigeon Toad”, “The Battle of the Frogs and Mice”, and “A Chocolate Moose for Dinner”.

He had a ‘deep commanding voice with a slight Southern twang’.

Fred preferred to stay away from media, and his neighbors described him as a good friend and neighbor who liked to keep his professional and personal lives separate; he refused to give interviews.

He never wanted to be part of the ‘Broadway and Hollywood social whirl’.

Fred appeared in the 1964 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

He was a member of the Krokodiloes, a Harvard University’s a cappella group.

Fred was invited to play Mr. Arnold Hand in the critically acclaimed 1982 comedy movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”, but refused because of the movie’s sexual content.

Death and wealth

Fred was 66 when he died from pancreatic cancer in his home’s cigar room on 2 July 1993, only eight days before he was to turn 67; he was buried at Sandy Mount United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Fred’s net worth was estimated at over $2 million at the time of his passing.