Fredric March Overview:

Legendary actor, Fredric March, was born Ernest Frederick McIntyre Bickel on Aug 31, 1897 in Racine, WI. March died at the age of 77 on Apr 14, 1975 in Los Angeles, CA and was laid to rest in On his estate Cemetery in New Milford, CT.

MINI BIO:

Dark, stocky American leading man who settled in Hollywood with the coming of sound and remained in top roles for over 20 years, especially in the period between his two Oscars (for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Best Years of Our Lives) when his mellifluous voice and clever, self-effacing style won him a wide variety of roles, and he proved unexpectedly adept at sophisticated comedy. Always, in fact, rather more an actor than a star personality. Married (second of two) Florence Eldridge (F. McKechnie 1901-1988) in 1927. He also received Oscar nominations for A Star is Born, The Royal Family of Broadway and Death of a Salesman. Died from cancer.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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Fredric March was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning two for Best Actor for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (as Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Hyde) and The Best Years of Our Lives (as Al Stephenson) in 1931/32 and 1946 respectively.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1930/31Best ActorThe Royal Family of Broadway (1930)Tony CavendishNominated
1931/32Best ActorDr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. HydeWon
1937Best ActorA Star Is Born (1937)Norman Maine (Alfred Hinkel)Nominated
1946Best ActorThe Best Years of Our Lives (1946)Al StephensonWon
1951Best ActorDeath of a Salesman (1951)Willy LomanNominated
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He was honored with one star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Motion Pictures. Fredric March's handprints and footprints were 'set in stone' at Grauman's Chinese Theater during imprint ceremony #35 on Apr 21, 1937.

BlogHub Articles:

and Veronic Lake in Rene Clair’s “I Married a Witch”

By Stephen Reginald on Jul 23, 2025 From Classic Movie Man

and Veronic Lake in Rene Clair’s “I Married a Witch” I Married a Witch (1942) is a romantic comedy fantasy directed by Ren? Clair and starring and Veronica Lake. The cinematography is by Ted Tetzlaff, the music by Roy Webb, and the costumes by Edith... Read full article


Kim Novak and meet in the “Middle of the Night”

By Stephen Reginald on Jan 7, 2025 From Classic Movie Man

Kim Novak and meet in the “Middle of the Night” Middle of the Night (1959) is an American drama film directed by Delbert Mann and starring and Kim Novak. The supporting cast includes Glenda Farrell, Albert Dekker, Martin Balsam, Lee Philips, and Lee Grant... Read full article


and Veronic Lake in Rene Clair’s “I Married a Witch”

By Stephen Reginald on Oct 8, 2021 From Classic Movie Man

and Veronic Lake in Rene Clair’s “I Married a Witch” I Married a Witch (1942) is a romantic comedy fantasy directed by Rene Clair and starring and Veronica Lake. The cinematography is by Ted Tetzlaff, music by Roy Webb, and costumes by Edith Head.Th... Read full article


Carole Lombard and star in “Nothing Sacred”

By Stephen Reginald on Aug 5, 2020 From Classic Movie Man

Carole Lombard and star in “Nothing Sacred” Nothing Sacred (1937) is a screwball comedy film directed by William A. Wellman, produced by David O. Selznick, with a screenplay by Ben Hecht. Oscar Levant wrote the original music score. New York newspaper report Wally Coo... Read full article


Flawed Gents of Pre-Code: in Merrily We Go to Hell (1932)

By shadowsandsatin on Jan 15, 2017 From Shadows and Satin

From their expressions, I suspect that Jerry and Joan know what’s ahead. The films released during Hollywood?s pre-Code era undeniably have their fair share of admirable, upstanding fellas. There?s Warren William?s long-suffering hubby in Three on a Match (1932). Leslie Howard as the sensitive... Read full article


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Fredric March Quotes:

Mr. Hyde: [after strangling Ivy]
Isn't Hyde a lover after your own heart?


Norman Maine: Do you mind if I take just one more look?


William Spence: [to his son, Hartzell] A pastor's family are in a special category. We are uh... Well, It's as if we walked a sort of tightrope. Balancing with one foot on earth and one foot already in heaven.


read more quotes from Fredric March...



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Best Actor Oscar 1931/32




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Fredric March on the
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Fredric March Facts
His wife, actress Florence Eldridge, appeared with him in The Studio Murder Mystery (1929), Les Misérables (1935), Another Part of the Forest (1948), An Act of Murder (1948), Christopher Columbus (1949), and Inherit the Wind (1960). On TV, she appeared with him in the "Producers' Showcase" (1954) presentation of 'Dodsworth' on 30 April 1956.

While pursuing his acting career, March, not wanting to overlook any means of keeping a little cash in his pocket, did some modeling. He proceeded to leave an attractive photo of himself at the various agents with the following stats typed on the back: Bickel, Fred M., Main 9939 Home 12 Sidney Pl., 32 waist, 10 shoe, 23 yrs., 5-11", 158 lbs., will not pose in underwear. March immortalized shoes, shaving cream and cravats and posed for such famous artists as Charles Dana Gibson and Howard Chandler Christy and for Arrow shirt advertisements.

He entered the banking business in New York in 1920, working at what was then known as First National City Bank (now Citibank) when a ruptured appendix nearly killed him. While he was recuperating, his landlady (a former actress) related anecdotes from her days in the theater and he was so enchanted that he decided to pursue his real dream and become an actor.

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