George Kennedy Biography

George Kennedy was an American film and TV actor, who is remembered for his versatile characters. His muscular physique and grumpy appearance, topped with a deep baritone voice, initially made him perfect for roles of antagonists. However, George displayed his versatility in 'Cool Hand Luke,' the film that earned him his only ‘Academy Award.’ Later, George brought more variations to the characters he played. He is considered one the very few actors who had had a smooth transition from being typecast as “villains” to playing “good guys.” The transition even raised his pay. His decade-long distinguished career is decorated with several arcs. His roles range from those of blue-collar antagonists to dependable sidekicks, in projects covering Westerns, disaster movies, horrors, thrillers, and comedies. George had served in the military for over a decade which, however, never interrupted his acting career. His experience in the military helped him build an enormous frame, which later became his weapon to terrorize leads such as Cary Grant, Paul Newman, and Clint Eastwood on screen. Later in his career, he did a few voiceovers, too. George had married three different women. Even though he had died of heart disease, his close friends later revealed that he had been deeply affected by the loss of his third wife, who had died less than 6 months earlier.