James Broderick

James Broderick Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: March 7, 1927

Death Date: November 1, 1982

Birth Place: Charlestown, New Hampshire

James Broderick was an actor with a great deal of range, equally at home in gritty dramas and heartwarming sitcoms. Originally enrolled at the University of New Hampshire as a pre-med student, Broderick was bitten by the acting bug after being cast in a production of George Bernard Shaw's "Arms And The Man." His performance was so unexpectedly good that the director introduced him to stage actor Arthur Kennedy, who helped him get a number of theatrical roles in New York City. Broderick's television career began in 1950, and he appeared in a number of variety programs throughout the decade. In 1959, he was cast as idealistic young police officer Ernie Brenner in the CBS drama "Brenner,"which ran for three seasons. As he aged, Broderick started getting picked for edgier material, including a role in counterculture classic "Alice's Restaurant" and the classic heist movie "Dog Day Afternoon." His most famous role came as the patriarch on 1976 sitcom "Family," which took a more nuanced view of the American family than the broad comedy that dominated the airwaves. "Family" lasted for four seasons and earned Broderick an Emmy nomination. He worked up until his death from cancer in 1982, but left behind an enduring legacy in the form of his son, actor Matthew Broderick.

Credits

American Playhouse

Actor
Dad
Series
1982

Dreams Don't Die

Actor
Gavin
Movie
1982

Keeping On

Actor
Dad
Movie
1981

The Shadow Box

Actor
Joe
Movie
1980

Fantasy Island

Guest Star
Series
1978

Family

Actor
Doug Lawrence
Series
1976

The Phantom of the Open Hearth

Actor
Mr. Parker
Movie
1976

Dog Day AfternoonStream

Actor
FBI Agent Sheldon
Movie
1975
96%

Beyond the Horizon

Actor
Captain Scott
Movie
1975

The Taking of Pelham One Two ThreeStream

Actor
Denny Doyle
Movie
1974
98%

Nicky's World

Actor
Russell
Movie
1974

The Murderers

Actor
Movie
1973

Longstreet

Guest Star
Show
1971

Alice's Restaurant

Actor
Ray Brock
Movie
1969
63%

Judd for the Defense

Guest Star
Show
1967

The Group

Actor
Dr. Ridgeley
Movie
1966

12 O'Clock High

Guest Star
Series
1964

Abe Lincoln in Illinois

Actor
Joshua Speed
Show
1964

The FugitiveStream

Guest Star
Sheriff Owen Troop
Series
1963

Girl of the Night

Actor
Dan Bolton
Movie
1960

The Twilight ZoneStream

Actor
Al
Series
1959
92%

Brenner

Actor
Ernie Brenner
Show
1959

GunsmokeStream

Guest Star
Dr. Wesley May
Series
1955

SuspenseStream

Actor
Series
1949