Cause of death heart attack Spouse Mary Kenny (m. 1928–1979) Role Film actor | Name William Gargan Years active 1925–1958 Siblings Edward Gargan | |
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Died February 17, 1979, United States of America Children Leslie Gargan, Barrie Gargan Movies and TV shows Martin Kane - Private Eye, The Bells of St Mary's, Behind Green Lights, They Knew What They Wanted, You Only Live Once Similar People Edward Gargan, Leo McCarey, Otto Brower, Erle C Kenton, Garson Kanin | ||
Dynamite (1949) WILLIAM GARGAN
Mariners of the Sky (1936) WILLIAM GARGAN
William Gargan (July 17, 1905 – February 17, 1979) was an American film, television and radio actor.
Contents
- Dynamite 1949 WILLIAM GARGAN
- Mariners of the Sky 1936 WILLIAM GARGAN
- Early years
- Stage
- Film
- Radio
- Television
- Later years
- Family
- Death
- Book
- Filmography
- References
Early years
Gargan was born William Dennis Gargan on July 17, 1905, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the younger brother of actor Edward Gargan, whose birthday July 17 he shared. His father was a detective, and his mother was a teacher. He graduated from St. James School in Brooklyn.
On leaving school, Gargan became a salesman of bootleg whiskey to New York speakeasies and then joined a detective agency.
Stage
While visiting his brother on a musical comedy stage, he was offered a stage job which he accepted. He began his stage career in Aloma of the South Seas
Film
Gargan's first movie was Rain later he played in Misleading Lady and had character roles in many Hollywood productions, including two appearances as detective Ellery Queen.
He was cast in a number of stereotypical Irish parts in films playing policemen, priests, reporters, and blustering adventurers. In 1945 he played Joe Gallagher in The Bells of St. Mary's, starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman.
In 1935, Gargan went to England and made several films there.
In 1940, Gargan was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Joe, the foreman, in They Knew What They Wanted.
Radio
Gargan was best known for his role as private detective Martin Kane in the 1949–51 radio-television series, Martin Kane, Private Eye, sponsored by U.S. Tobacco. He also appeared as a private detective in the NBC radio show Barrie Craig, Confidential Investigator, which ran from 1951 to 1955.
Television
Gargan starred in 39 episodes of The New Adventures of Martin Kane, a syndicated series premiering September 14, 1957, and distributed in Europe by United Artists Television for Ziv Television Programs.
Later years
Gargan's acting career came to an end in 1958 when he developed throat cancer, and doctors were forced to remove his larynx in 1960. Speaking through an artificial voice box, Gargan became an activist and spokesman for the American Cancer Society, often warning about the dangers of smoking. In 1954, Mutual of Omaha presented its annual Criss Award to Gargan for "his inspirational self-rehabilitation efforts and his outstanding contributions to established rehabilitation programs."
No longer able to act, he formed William Gargan Productions, making traditional films and television movies in Hollywood.
Family
Gargan had a wife, Mary, and two sons, Leslie and Barrie.
Death
He died aged 73 on February 17, 1979, on a flight between New York City and San Diego. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, San Diego, California.
Book
Gargan's autobiography, Why Me? was published by Doubleday in 1969. A reviewer described the book as "a compelling story of the life, faith and courage of a man who as an actor was a notable success."