James Whitmore, 87, the character actor who delivered strong performances in movies, television and especially the theater with his one-man shows about Harry Truman, Will Rogers and Theodore Roosevelt, died of lung cancer on Friday in Los Angeles.
The Emmy- and Tony-winning actor's "Give 'em Hell, Harry," tracing the life of the 33rd president, was released as a movie in 1975, and Whitmore was nominated for an Academy Award as best actor. His Teddy Roosevelt portrait, "Bully," was also made into a movie.
Whitmore started both his Broadway and Hollywood careers with acclaimed performances, both as tough-talking sergeants. In 1947, discharged a year from Marine duty, he made his Broadway debut in an Air Force drama, "Command Decision." He was awarded a Tony for outstanding performance by a newcomer. Two years later, Whitmore was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe as supporting actor in the war movie "Battleground."
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