George Brent

George Brent

Irish-American actor
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George Brent
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George Brent Actor - Born March 15, 1904 in Shannonbridge, Offaly, Ireland

Died May 26, 1979 in Solana Beach, California, USA (emphysema)

Birth Name George Brendan Nolan

Height 6' 1" (1.85 m)

Mini Bio (1) The favorite leading man of star actress Bette Davis, was born George Brendan Nolan, near Dublin, and became an orphan at the tender age of eleven. For a while, he stayed with an aunt in New York, but returned to Ireland to study at the University of Dublin. After leaving university in 1919, George became a courier for Sinn Fein leader Michael Collins, hunted by the Black and Tan, with a price on his head. By that time, he had developed an interest in acting and joined the Abbey Theatre Players. In 1925, he returned to New York, touring with 'Abie's Irish Rose', then working with stock companies in Colorado, Florida and Massachusetts. He appeared in the ensemble cast of 'The Nightingale' on Broadway (1927), and, three years later, co-starred with Alice Brady and Clark Gable in the short-lived play 'Love, Honor and Betray'.

He worked in Hollywood from 1930, initially cast as farmers, doctors and partner of Rin Tin Tin, before Warner Brothers recognised his potential as a strong leading man for some of their more temperamental female stars. One of those was Ruth Chatterton, who picked him to play opposite her in The Rich Are Always with Us (1932). This was the first of four films he made with the actress, whom he married - and divorced after two years. A specialist in dapper, sophisticated gentlemen, George gave reliable support to stars like Greta Garbo, Hedy Lamarr, Barbara Stanwyck and (eleven times) Bette Davis, though he could rarely be described as dynamic. His most memorable performances were opposite Davis in Front Page Woman (1935), Dark Victory (1939), The Old Maid (1939), and, co-starring Myrna Loy, The Rains Came (1939). When his looks dissipated and leading man roles became scarce, George gave arguably his best performance (against type) as the maniacal murderer in the Robert Siodmak-directed thriller The Spiral Staircase (1946). Following that, there were several B-movies on both sides of the Atlantic, after which he effectively retired to breed race horses.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: I.S.Mowis

Spouse (6)

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Mary M. Costa (13 November 1978 - 26 May 1979) his death

Janet Michael (17 December 1947 - 23 March 1974) her death 2 children

Ann Sheridan (5 January 1942 - 5 January 1943) divorced

Constance Worth (10 May 1937 - 7 December 1937) divorced

Ruth Chatterton (13 August 1932 - 4 October 1934) divorced

Helen Louise Campbell (1926 - 1926) divorced

Trivia (12)

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George Brent (born George Brendan Nolan; 15 March 1904 – 26 May 1979) was an Irish-American stage, film, and television actor. He is best remembered for the eleven films he made with Bette Davis, which included Jezebel and Dark Victory.

Personal life Brent was married five times: to Helen Louise Campbell (1925–1927), Ruth Chatterton (1932–1934), Constance Worth (1937), Ann Sheridan (1942–1943), and Janet Michaels (1947–1974). Chatterton, Worth, and Sheridan were actresses; Chatterton and Sheridan were Warner Bros. players.

His final marriage to Janet Michaels, a former model and dress designer, lasted 27 years until her death in 1974. They had two children: a daughter, Suzanne (born August 3, 1950), and a son, Barry (born November 26, 1954).

Brent also had affairs with actresses Greta Garbo[citation needed] and Bette Davis, the latter a frequent Warner Bros. co-star.

He suffered from emphysema and died of natural causes in 1979 in Solana Beach, California.

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George Brent was born on Tuesday, 15 March 1904 in Shannonbridge, Offaly, Ireland. His full name at birth was George Brendan Nolan. He was best known as an actor. Brent's country of citizenship (nationality) was Irish. He died on Saturday, 26 May 1979 in Solana Beach, California, USA at the age of 75. He is buried at Cremated, Ashes scattered at sea. He was 6' 1" (185 cm) tall with an athletic build. He had hazel eyes and black hair (color). His zodiac star sign was Pisces.

You can find people similar to George Brent by visiting our lists Male actors from County Galway and Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Full name at birth
George Brendan Nolan
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Claim to fame
The Great Lie
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Date of birth
15 March 1904
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Place of birth
Shannonbridge, Offaly, Ireland
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Date of death
26 May 1979
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Age
75 (age at death)
Place of death
Solana Beach, California, USA
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Cause of death
Emphysema
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Resting place
Cremated, Ashes scattered at sea
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Occupation
Actor
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Occupation category
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Nationality
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PERSONAL DETAILS

Height
6' 1" (185 cm)
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Build
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Hair color
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Eye color
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Gender
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Ethnicity
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Sexuality
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Religion add_black religion
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS

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  • Born in Shannonbridge, Offaly, Ireland
  • Married 4 times.
  • Was to have starred in the film, Death of a Scoundrel (1956), but took ill after a large party scene with many, many extras had been filmed. Rather than an expensive re-shoot, the producers left the scene (with him visible) in the final cut. He was replaced in the lead by George Sanders.
  • Served on Michael Collins' ASU (Active Service Unit) assassin/hitmen squad (as
  • He was a licensed pilot. You can see him landing an airplane in The Great Lie (1941).

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