Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Jo Van Fleet

Jo Van Fleet was one of those actors that not only helped make early television so memorable, but also contributed to the success of several major motion pictures. In fact, she is most likely the first actor you will google after seeing one of her many cherished performances. She was that good.

Like so many of the talented artist featured in this blog, Jo Van Fleet first established herself as a Broadway actor, earning a Tony award for the play, A Trip to Bountiful. Fresh off her stage success she went on to win an Oscar for her hard-edged performance in East of Eden.


More award worthy supporting performances followed like her roles in The Rose Tattoo and Gunfight at the O.K. Corral as well as a slew of television guest starring parts that range from several episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents to Naked City and Kraft Suspense Theatre just to name a few.

If you want to see this overlooked actor at her absolute best, though, look no further than her one scene in Cool Hand Luke. In just a matter of minutes she makes you want to change the whole focus of the movie to her character. It's an amazing piece of acting and just icing on the cake to the career of Jo Van Fleet.

3 comments:

  1. I remember Jo Van Fleet as Kate in "Gunfight At The Ok Corral" from 1957. I don't see how Doc Holliday was able to put up with her for so long. More like "I'm NOT your huckleberry" am I right? Great movie though. Wonderful actress.

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