Larry Parks
| Larry Parks | |
|---|---|
Parks in 1950
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| Born |
Samuel Klausman Lawrence Parks December 13, 1914 Olathe, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | April 13, 1975 (aged 60) Studio City, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Occupation | Actor, Singer |
| Years active | 1941–62 |
| Spouse(s) |
Betty Garrett (1944–75 (his death)); 2 children |
| Children | Garrett Parks (b. 1950) Andrew Parks |
Larry Parks (December 13, 1914 – April 13, 1975) was an American stage and movie actor. His career arced from bit player and supporting roles to top billing, before his career was virtually ended when he admitted to having once been a member of a Communist party cell, which led to his blacklisting by all Hollywood studios. His best known role was Al Jolson, whom he portrayed in two films: The Jolson Story (1946) and Jolson Sings Again (1949).
Parks was born Samuel Klausman Lawrence Parks in Olathe, Kansas, the son of Nellie (Klausman) and Frank H. Parks. He was raised in Joliet, Illinois, and graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1932. He attended the University of Illinois as a pre-med student, and played in stock companies for a few years before signing a movie contract with Columbia Pictures in 1941.
As did most Columbia contract players, he played supporting roles in higher-budgeted films, and larger roles in B pictures, such as 1942's Atlantic Convoy.
When Columbia was preparing a screen biography of Al Jolson, many big-name stars were considered for the title role, including James Cagney and Danny Thomas (both of whom turned it down), but resident contractee Larry Parks was reportedly the first actor to be interviewed. Parks impressed the producers and won the role. At the age of 31, his performance in The Jolson Story (1946) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
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