Legendary American theater, film, and television actor and vaudeville performer James Dunn passed away in 1967. In the 1945 movie “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” James Dunn played the dreamy, alcoholic father named Johnny Nolan.

How much was the Net worth of James Dunn?

Online sources state that the estimated net worth of James Dunn at the time of his death was $2.3 million. His acting parts in TV shows and films have allowed him to amass such a wealth.

Early Years, Family and Education

On November 2, 1901, James Dunn was born in Manhattan, New York, in the United States. James Howard Dunn was his full name, and he was a citizen of the US. He was born under the sign of Scorpio and passed away at the age of 65. Furthermore, he was of Irish descent.

His parents were named Jessie L. Archer and Ralph H. Dunn. His father was a New York Stock Exchange trader. He was his parents’ only child at the time. Furthermore, he grew up in New Rochelle, New York.

Education

Academically speaking, he went to a community school close to his hometown. He used to frequently miss high school courses to hang out at the upper Bronx’s movie studios.

When and How did James Dunn die?

On September 1, 1967, at the age of 65, he passed away at Santa Monica Hospital due to complications from stomach surgery. Approximately two hundred individuals, including fellow actors, showed up for his Santa Monica memorial service.

Professional Career of James Dunn:

James Dunn first tried his hand at sales, working as an automotive demonstration in addition to selling lunch carts. In addition, he worked for his father’s brokerage firm for three years. But theater was his real love. In 1927, he left his father’s company to become a member of a tiny theater company.

Later, he traveled to Hollywood and secured a film contract with Fox; the next year, his mother moved in with him. In addition, he was cast as the male lead opposite Helen Morgan in the 1929 Broadway musical Sweet Adeline. He debuted on films in the movie “Bad Girl” in 1931.

Continued his successful career

Immediately afterward, Fox reteamed with Dunn and Eilers in Over the Hill (1931), and went on to have success in Sailor’s Luck (1933), Dance Team (1932), and Hold Me Tight (1933). In addition, he acted in the films Hello, Sister! (1933), Society Girl (1932), and Sob Sister (1931).

Dunn was considered “one of the top ten box office draws” by the end of 1932. By the end of 1933, he had earned the nickname “America’s boy friend.”

Dunn and Shirley Temple play a father and daughter who perform song and dance in the film “Stand Up and Cheer!” Studio bosses were so impressed by their performance that they decided to cast them right away in the sequel, “Baby Take a Bow,” which is a remake of the silent film “Square Crooks” from 1928.

The third movie they worked on together was “Bright Eyes.” Temple was chosen for a brief role in the same year’s “Change of Heart” as Dunn’s neighbor.

Broke deal with Fox

During his five-year contract with Fox, Dunn appeared in thirty pictures. At the height of his career, two years before his studio contract expired in 1935, he broke it. He was prepared to start shooting a film adaptation of “The Song and Dance Man” when Fox and Twentieth Century Pictures revealed their intention to merge.

Director Elia Kazan cast him as the dreamy, alcoholic father in “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” (1945), for which he received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, after he had not been employed by a major studio for five years.

Though he continued to perform in Broadway musicals, the Oscar did not aid his film career, and he ended up turning to television as a character actor. He was a regular on the hit sitcom It’s a Great Life from 1954 to 1956 and starred in hundreds of episodes of other hit shows from the 1950s to the mid-1960s.

Awards

For his performance in “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” Dunn was awarded the 1945 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. On the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he is honored with two stars: 7010 Hollywood Boulevard for his contributions to television and 6555 Hollywood Boulevard for his work on feature films.

Relationship Status of James Dunn:

James Dunn has previously been married three times. He first wed Edna O’Lier, but their union was dissolved by divorce. He later wed the actress Frances Gifford in 1938, but their union was short-lived and ended in divorce in 1942.

In 1945, he wed Edna Rush for the third time. When he passed away in 1967, she lived on. About his children, there is nothing on the internet.

Body Measurements: Height and Weight

The late actor was of ordinary height, at six feet tall. In addition, he has light brown hair and eyes, but it is unknown what his other bodily dimensions are, including his dress and shoe sizes.

Social Media

The seasoned actor isn’t active on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter since he is no longer with us.

you may also like Brad Nessler – American Actor And Sports Commentator | Net Worth, Age, Bio, Wiki, Career, Family, Nationality, Ethnicity, Partner, Photos And Facts.