John Garfield

JOHN GARFIELD d1952. American actor who played brooding, rebellious, working-class characters. He grew up in poverty in New York City. In the early 1930s, he became a member of the Group Theatre. In 1937, he moved to Hollywood, eventually becoming one of Warner Bros stars. Called to testify before the US Congressional House Committee on Un-American Activities. he denied communist affiliation and refused to "name names", effectively ending his film career. Some have alleged that the stress of this incident led to his premature death aged just 39 from a heart attack on May 21st 1952. He is acknowledged as a predecessor of such method actors as Marlon Brando and James Dean.