Broderick Crawford

Real name: William Broderick Crawford

Broderick Crawford (December 9, 1911 - April 26, 1986) was an American actor. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was stereotyped as a rough-talking tough guy, frequently a bad guy. His parents were vaudeville performers, and his mother, Helen Broderick, had a minor career in Hollywood comedies. Crawford gained fame in 1937 when he starred in Of Mice and Men on Broadway. He moved to Hollywood afterwards, but did not get the role in the movie version of the play.

In 1949, Crawford was cast as the Huey Long character in All the King's Men, which not only won the Academy Award for Best Picture, but gained Crawford the Academy Award for Best Actor. The next year he starred in another smash hit film, Born Yesterday.

Having been caught up in only certain types of characters, Crawford's career suffered. He moved to television, most notably starring in the series Highway Patrol. He made several European films, but few more in Hollywood.

Crawford has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The one for motion pictures is at 6901 Hollywood Blvd., and the one for television is at 6734 Hollywood Blvd.