Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Remembering Keenan Wynn

Francis Xavier Aloysius James Jeremiah Keenan Wynn was born on July 27, 1916 in New York City. Son of vaudeville actor Ed Wynn [1886-1966], he took his name from his maternal grandfather Frank Keenan [1858-1929], the first Broadway star to make it big in Hollywood. Encouraged by his father to become an actor Keenan appeared in over 270 TV and film roles. Keenan and Ed appeared together in TV’s "Playhouse 90's" presentation of Rod Serlings "Requiem for a Heavyweight".Wynn never received leading role status but was always a highly respected actor who gave great performances in supporting roles in such films as "Dr. Strangelove" (1964), "The Great Race" (1965), and "Finians Rainbow" (1968). Later in his career he would drift into comedy roles and TV appearing in TV’s "Dallas" from 1979-1981. Wynn appeared in three Euro-westerns "The Longest Hunt", "Once Upon a Time in the West" (both 1968) and "Panhandle .38" (1972). Keenan was married to actress Evie Johnson [1914-2004] (1938-1947) and is the father of actor Ned Wynn [1941- ] and screenwriter Tracy Keenan Wynn [1945- ]. Wynn died from pancreatic cancer on October 14, 1986. Today we remember Keenan Wynn on what would have been his 95th birthday.

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