John Lund (actor)

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John Lund
John Lund 1948.JPG
Lund in 1948
Born (1911-02-06)February 6, 1911
Rochester, New York, USA
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Los Angeles, California, USA
Resting place Cremated, Ashes scattered
Years active 1938-1962
Spouse(s) Marie Lund
(1942-1982; her death)

John Lund (February 6, 1911 – May 10, 1992) was an American film actor who is probably best remembered for his role in the film A Foreign Affair (1948), directed by Billy Wilder as well as a dual role in Mitchell Leisen's To Each His Own (1946). [1]

Background

John Lund's father was a Norwegian immigrant and glassblower in Rochester, New York. Lund did not finish high school,[2] and he tried several businesses before settling on advertising in the 1930s. His jobs included being "a soda-jerk, carpenter and timekeeper."[3]

Stage career

While working for an advertising agency, he was asked by a friend to appear in an industrial show for the 1939 World's Fair. As a result, he served as stage manager of Railroad on Parade at the fair and played several roles in the production.[4] Before moving to New York City he had appeared in several amateur productions in Rochester.[5] He began acting professionally by appearing on Broadway in William Shakespeare's As You Like It. He wrote the book and lyrics for Broadway's New Faces of 1943. It was his appearance in the play The Hasty Heart (1945) that got him recognized by Hollywood[3] and led to a long-term film contract with Paramount Pictures.

Radio career

Lund had the title role in the serial Chaplain Jim on the Blue Network in the early 1940s.[6] Lund also played Johnny Dollar in the radio show Yours Truly Johnny Dollar, taking over from 1952- Aug 1954. Not a big fan favorite, still he does have his own style and adds to the character in his own right.

Film career

His first film was To Each His Own (1946) with Olivia de Havilland for Paramount, in which he played dual roles. A Foreign Affair (1948), in which Lund played romantic lead to both Marlene Dietrich and Jean Arthur, was highly acclaimed but failed to make him a major star. In 1949, in My Friend Irma, Lund is Al, boyfriend of Irma (Marie Wilson). My Friend Irma, was the film debut of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

In 1951 he co-starred with Gene Tierney, Miriam Hopkins, and Thelma Ritter in Mitchell Leisen's comedy The Mating Season. The same year he appeared with Joan Fontaine in the 1951 comedy Darling How Could You!.

In 1956 he co-starred with Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly in MGM's High Society, the musical remake of MGM's 1940 greatly successful The Philadelphia Story.

Later years

By the early 1960s, he appeared in minor films and secondary roles and then retired from the screen in 1963, becoming a successful Hollywood businessman. Lund retired to his house in Coldwater Canyon in the Hollywood Hills in 1963 and died of heart problems in 1992.

Family

Lund was married to Marie Charton, who was an actress and a model.[7]

Partial film list

Radio appearances

Year Program Episode/source
1946 Hollywood Star Time The Lady Eve[8]
1952 Screen Guild Theatre The Mating of Millie[9]
1952 Hollywood Star Playhouse The Word[10]
1953 Lux Radio Theatre Lady in the Dark[11]
1953 Theatre Guild on the Air O'Halloran's Luck''[12]
1953 Broadway Playhouse Salty O'Rourke[13]
1958 Suspense Old Time's Sake[14]

References

  1. John Lund, 81; Radio, Stage and Film Actor (Los Angeles Times. May 12, 1992)
  2. New York Times May 13, 1992
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  5. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper, March 6, 1946, also Rochester Times Union newspaper, March 8, 1946; both articles are archived in the 1944-1946 Scrapbook of the Rochester Community Players collection, Local History Department, Rochester Public Library
  6. Dunning, John. (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. P. 149.
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External links