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 Huey Long in All the King's Men, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The next year he starred in another smash hit film, Born Yesterday.

Despite these successes, Crawford's career suffered due to type casting. He moved to television, most notably starring in the police drama series Highway Patrol, as Lt. Dan Matthews. He made several European films, but few more in Hollywood.

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