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Lee J. Cobb

Acting

Lee J. Cobb

Lee J. Cobb is an actor born on December 8, 1911 in New York City, New York, USA. He died on February 11, 1976, aged 64. He is known for 12 Angry Men, The Exorcist and On the Waterfront. GloboWatch shows where to watch one of his movies and TV shows, country by country.

Known for
Acting
Born
December 8, 1911
Place of birth
New York City, New York, USA
Died
February 11, 1976
Also known as
Lee Colt · Leo Jacoby · Cpl. Lee Cobb

Biography

Lee J. Cobb (December 8, 1911 — February 11, 1976) was an American actor. He was best known for his performances in On the Waterfront (1954), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award, 12 Angry Men (1957), and The Exorcist (1973). He also played the role of Willy Loman in the original Broadway production of Arthur Miller's 1949 play Death of a Salesman under the direction of Elia Kazan. On television, Cobb costarred in the first four seasons of the popular, long-running western series The Virginian. He typically played arrogant, intimidating, and abrasive characters, but often had roles as respectable figures such as judges. Born Leo Jacob in New York City, he grew up in The Bronx, before studying at New York University and making his film debut in The Vanishing Shadow (1934). Cobb performed in numerous theater productions and companies, including Group Theatre (New York) before serving in the First Motion Picture Unit of the Army Air Force during World War II. Following the war, Cobb returned to film, television and theater before being accused of being a Communist in 1951 testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee by Larry Parks, himself a former Communist Party member. Cobb was called to testify before HUAC but refused to do so for two years until, with his career threatened by the blacklist, he relented in 1953 and gave testimony in which he named 20 people as former members of the Communist Party USA. Following the hearing he resumed his career and worked with Elia Kazan and Budd Schulberg, two other HUAC "friendly witnesses", on the 1954 film On the Waterfront, which is widely seen as an allegory and apologia for testifying. His 1968 performance as King Lear achieved the longest run (72 performances) for the play in Broadway history. One of his final film roles was that of police detective Lt. Kinderman in the 1973 horror film The Exorcist. Cobb died of a heart attack in February 1976 in Woodland Hills, California, and was buried in Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. He was survived by his second wife, Mary Hirsch, and daughter, also an accomplished actress, Julie Cobb.

Filmography

  1. 1978The Meanest Men in the Westas Judge Henry Garth
  2. 1976Nick the Stingas Robert Clark
  3. 1975Blood, Sweat and Fearas Benzi
  4. 1973The Exorcistas Lt. Bill Kinderman
  5. 1973The Great Kidnappingas Jovine
  6. 1973Double Indemnityas Barton Keyes
  7. 1973The Man Who Loved Cat Dancingas Lapchance
  8. 1972The Bull of the Westas Judge Garth
  9. 1971Lawmanas Vincent Bronson
  10. 1971Macho Callahanas Duffy
  11. 1970The Liberation of L.B. Jonesas Oman Hedgepath
  12. 1970McCloudas Alexander Montello · 1 episode
  13. 1969Mackenna's Goldas The Editor
  14. 1968Coogan's Bluffas Lt. McElroy
  15. 1968The Day of the Owlas Don Mariano Arena
  16. 1968They Came to Rob Las Vegasas Steve Skorsky
  17. 1967In Like Flintas Lloyd C. Cramden
  18. 1966Death of a Salesmanas Willy Loman
  19. 1966Our Man Flintas Cramden
  20. 1963Come Blow Your Hornas Harry R. Baker
  21. 1962How the West Was Wonas Marshal Lou Ramsey
  22. 1962The Virginianas Richter Henry Garth · 90 episodes
  23. 1962The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypseas Julio Madariaga
  24. 1960Exodusas Barak Ben Canaan
  25. 1959But Not for Meas Jeremiah MacDonald
  26. 1959Green Mansionsas Nuflo
  27. 1959The Trapas Victor Massonetti
  28. 1958Party Girlas Rico Angelo
  29. 1958Man of the Westas Dock Tobin
  30. 1958Naked Cityas Paul Delito · 1 episode
  31. 1958The Brothers Karamazovas Fyodor Karamazov
  32. 1957The Three Faces of Eveas Doctor Curtis Luther
  33. 1957The Garment Jungleas Walter Mitchell
  34. 195712 Angry Menas Juror 3
  35. 1956Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatreas Captain Andrew Watling · 1 episode
  36. 1956The Man in the Gray Flannel Suitas Judge Bernstein
  37. 1955Gunsmokeas Col. Josiah Johnson · 1 episode
  38. 1955The Left Hand of Godas Mieh Yang
  39. 1954On the Waterfrontas Johnny Friendly
  40. 1954Gorilla at Largeas Detective Sgt. Garrison
  41. 1953The Oscarsas Self · 2 episodes
  42. 1951The Family Secretas Howard Clark
  43. 1951Siroccoas Col. Feroud
  44. 1950The Man Who Cheated Himselfas Lt. Ed Cullen
  45. 1949Thieves' Highwayas Mike Figlia
  46. 1949The Phantom Creepsas Road Crew Foreman (uncredited)
  47. 1948The Dark Pastas Dr. Andrew Collins
  48. 1948Studio Oneas Dr. Joseph Pearson · 2 episodes
  49. 1948The Luck of the Irishas David C. Augur
  50. 1948The Miracle of the Bellsas Marcus Harris
  51. 1948Call Northside 777as Brian Kelly
  52. 1947Captain from Castileas Juan Garcia
  53. 1947Boomerang!as Chief Harold F. 'Robbie' Robinson
  54. 1947Johnny O'Clockas Inspector Koch
  55. 1946Anna and the King of Siamas Kralahome
  56. 1943The Song of Bernadetteas Dr. Dozous
  57. 1943The Moon Is Downas Dr. Albert Winter
  58. 1941Men of Boys Townas Dave Morris
  59. 1939Golden Boyas Mr. Bonaparte
  60. 1939The Phantom Creepsas Road Crew Foreman (archive footage)