Harve Presnell (September 14, 1933 – June 30, 2009) was a Golden Globe-winning American film, stage and television actor.
Early life
Presnell was born as George Harvey Presnell in Modesto, California. in Modesto, California, and attended the University of Southern California. He made his stage debut at the age of sixteen, singing in an opera.
His height, booming voice, and operatic training landed him the role of Johnnie Brown in Meredith Willson’s musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown on stage which premiered on Broadway in 1960. He later reprised the role in the 1964 film version. He appeared as a cavalry scout in The Glory Guys (1965) and sang the stirring "They Call the Wind Maria" in the 1969 film Paint Your Wagon.
His film career was revived when he played William H. Macy’s father-in-law in Fargo (1996). Subsequent parts included General George C. Marshall in Saving Private Ryan, Mr. Parker on The Pretender, Dr. Sam Lane on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, and A.I. Brooks on Dawson’s Creek. He starred in NBC’s Andy Barker, P.I.
Death of Harve Presnell
Harve Presnell died of pancreatic cancer.
Harve Presnell was 75 years old at the time of his death
The Unsinkable Molly Brown – Trailer