George Kennedy

American actor (1925–2016)

AI overview

George Kennedy was an American actor who appeared in films and television from the 1950s through the 2010s, becoming known for roles in major movies like "Cool Hand Luke" and the "Airport" disaster film series. His long career and diverse roles made him a recognizable figure in Hollywood entertainment across several decades.

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Person

Born: 1925-02-18
Died: 2016-02-29

via Open Library + Wikidata

Film & TV

Acting · New York City, New York, USA

George Kennedy (February 18, 1925 — February 28, 2016) was a European-American businessman, entrepreneur, A World War II veteran, actor, adviser, radio dj, and author. Kennedy at one stage in his career cornered the market at playing tough, no-nonsense characters who were either quite crooked or possessed hearts of gold. Kennedy notched up an impressive 200+ appearances in both TV and film, and…

Known for

Airports2025
The Gambler — Ed2014
Another Happy Day — Joe Baker2011
2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift — (archive footage)2010
Six Days in Paradise — Monty Crenshaw2010
The Man Who Came Back — Judge Duke2008
A Natural Born World-Shaker: The Making of 'Cool Hand Luke' — Self2008
The Boneyard Collection — Professor Zebediah Jones (segment "The Devil's Due at Midnight")2008
Sands of Oblivion — John Tevis

Article

George Harris Kennedy Jr. (February 18, 1925 – February 28, 2016) was an American actor who appeared in more than 100 film and television productions. He played "Dragline" in Cool Hand Luke (1967), winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role and being nominated for the corresponding Golden Globe. He received a second Golden Globe nomination for portraying Joe Patroni in Airport (1970).

Among other films in which he had a significant role are Lonely Are the Brave; Charade; Strait-Jacket, McHale's Navy; Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte; Mirage; Shenandoah; The Sons of Katie Elder; The Flight of the Phoenix; In Harm's Way; The Dirty Dozen; The Boston Strangler; Guns of the Magnificent Seven; tick… tick… tick…; Cahill U.S. Marshal; Thunderbolt and Lightfoot; The Good Guys and the Bad Guys; Earthquake; The Eiger Sanction and The Delta Force.