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He is best remembered for his film appearances in the 1954 science fiction classic "Them," and as Admiral William F. Halsey in the 1970 motion Picture "Tora, Tora, Tora." A graduate of Yale University, he was a member of its exclusive Skull and Bones secret society. Following college he served in World War II as a member of the United States Marine Corps. After the war he attended the American Theatre Wing in Connecticut under the G.I. Bill, intent on pursuing a theatrical career on Broadway. He made his Broadway debut in the 1948 play "Command Decision" earning him a Tony Award. The following year he made his motion picture debut in the film "The Undercover Man" starring Glenn Ford. Later in the year he appeared in the war picture "Battleground," which earned him a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He appeared in a number of motion pictures beginning in the 1950s and running through the 1970s including: "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950), "Above and Beyond" (1952), "Kiss Me Kate" (1953), "Oklahoma" (1955), "Battle Cry" (1955), "The Eddie Duchin Story" (1956), "The Deep Six" (1958), "Nobody's Perfect" (1968), "The Split" (1968), "Planet of the Apes" (1968), "Guns of the Magnificent Seven" (1969), "The Harrard Experiment" (1973) and "I Will Fight No More Forever" (1975). In 1975 he received a second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his performance as President Harry S. Truman in the motion picture "Give ‘em Hell, Harry!" In 1994 he was singled out for his performance in the "The Shawshank Redemption," receiving high praise from members of the motion picture industry. He returned to the Broadway stage during much of the 1970s performing as a one man act, playing the roles of notable American figures including Will Rogers, Harry S. Truman and Theodore Roosevelt. His notable television appearances during his career include: "Wagon Train," "Ben Casey," "The Twilight Zone," "Rawhide," "Burke's Law," "Twelve O'Clock High," "The Invaders," The Big Valley," "Bonanza," "The Virginian," "Gunsmoke," "Combat" and "The Practice." He was the former husband of actress Audra Lindley, best known for her role as Helen Roper in the 1970s TV series "Three's Company." Whitmore was best known in recent years to television viewers as the spokesman for Miracle-Gro plant food. He was a recipient of a star on Hollywood's prestigious Walk of Fame for his contributions to the motion picture industry. (bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.)
Source: Findagrave.com
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