- Awards
- 11
Hollywood has been a habit of turning everyday people into movie stars. Some people, like Jean Harlow, didn't even want to be famous, whereas others, like Joan Crawford, craved the attention. Over the years, the Old Hollywood studio system has turned several novelty celebrities into movie stars; rock-n-roll singer Elvis, swimming star Esther Williams, skating star Sonja Henie, and so many more.
In my opinion, Audie Murphy was one of the most interesting everyday people turned into a movie star. He was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers during World War II. He received every military combat award for valor available in the American Army, as well as French and Belgian awards for his heroism. Murphy received the Medal of Honor for valor that he demonstrated at the age of 19 for single-handedly holding off a company of German soldiers for an hour at the Colmar Pocket in France in January 1945, then leading a successful counterattack while wounded and out of ammunition.
After his time in the service ended, Murphy embarked on a film career starting in 1948. He was initially brought to the attention of Hollywood by celebrated actor James Cagney, who became impressed with Murphy and his story when he saw him proclaimed "the most decorated soldier" in America in an issue of LIFE magazine on July 16, 1945. Cagney and his brother William placed Murphy under a personal contract, and began giving him acting, voice, and dance lessons. The Cagney brothers never cast Murphy in a movie, and their association ended over a personal dispute in 1947. Murphy later worked with acting coach Estelle Harman, and honed his diction by reciting dialogue from William Shakespeare and William Saroyan.
Murphy signed an exclusive, $2500-a-week contract with Universal Studios in 1950. He subsequently became a film star, starring in a string of modestly-budgeted Westerns throughout the following two decades. His 1949 book TO HELL AND BACK was made into a highly successful movie in 1955, in which Murphy starred as himself. His last movie was the Western A TIME FOR DYING in 1969.
Any Audie Murphy fans out there?
In my opinion, Audie Murphy was one of the most interesting everyday people turned into a movie star. He was one of the most decorated American combat soldiers during World War II. He received every military combat award for valor available in the American Army, as well as French and Belgian awards for his heroism. Murphy received the Medal of Honor for valor that he demonstrated at the age of 19 for single-handedly holding off a company of German soldiers for an hour at the Colmar Pocket in France in January 1945, then leading a successful counterattack while wounded and out of ammunition.
After his time in the service ended, Murphy embarked on a film career starting in 1948. He was initially brought to the attention of Hollywood by celebrated actor James Cagney, who became impressed with Murphy and his story when he saw him proclaimed "the most decorated soldier" in America in an issue of LIFE magazine on July 16, 1945. Cagney and his brother William placed Murphy under a personal contract, and began giving him acting, voice, and dance lessons. The Cagney brothers never cast Murphy in a movie, and their association ended over a personal dispute in 1947. Murphy later worked with acting coach Estelle Harman, and honed his diction by reciting dialogue from William Shakespeare and William Saroyan.
Murphy signed an exclusive, $2500-a-week contract with Universal Studios in 1950. He subsequently became a film star, starring in a string of modestly-budgeted Westerns throughout the following two decades. His 1949 book TO HELL AND BACK was made into a highly successful movie in 1955, in which Murphy starred as himself. His last movie was the Western A TIME FOR DYING in 1969.
Any Audie Murphy fans out there?
