What's After the Movie
Dana Andrews
Carver Dana Andrews was born on January 1, 1909 near Collins, Mississippi, the third of thirteen children of Baptist minister Charles Forrest Andrews and his wife Annis Speed. His early years on a farmstead were marked by modest means and a strong religious upbringing, which later influenced his dignified screen presence. After the family moved to Huntsville, Texas, Andrews attended Sam Houston State University, studying business administration before abandoning his studies to chase a singing career on the West Coast in 1931. He worked odd jobs, most famously at a Van Nuys gas station, a story later disputed by Hollywood publicists, before being discovered at the Hollywood Community Theater and signed by Samuel Goldwyn. The young actor honed his craft at the Pasadena Playhouse, appearing in over twenty productions, and eventually entered the film industry with a B‑picture debut in Lucky Cisco Kid (1940).**
**Andrews quickly rose to prominence during the 1940s, becoming a quintessential leading man in both film noir and westerns. His brooding performance as Detective Lieutenant Mark McPherson in Otto Preminger’s Laura (1944) cemented his reputation, while his emotionally resonant turn as war veteran Fred Derry in William Wyler’s The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) earned critical acclaim and contributed to the film’s historic box‑office success. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s he transitioned to supporting and character roles, appearing in notable titles such as While the City Sleeps, The Satan Bug, and In Harm’s Way. In 1963 he was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild, advocating for actors’ rights. Personal challenges, including a battle with alcoholism, later gave way to advocacy work with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Andrews spent his final years battling dementia at an Alzheimer's center in Los Alamitos, California, and died of congestive heart failure on December 17, 1992, leaving behind a legacy of over four hundred film and television credits.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Dana Andrews, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Dana Andrews rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Carver Dana Andrews
Born: Near Collins, Mississippi, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: January 1, 1909
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1938-1985
Children: 4
Spouses: Janet Murray, Mary Todd
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Dana Andrews
The Westerner
The Best Years of Our Lives
Airport 1975
The Last Tycoon
Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies
Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker
The Horror of It All
The Pilot
Showbiz Goes to War
Take a Hard Ride
Edge of Doom
Sealed Cargo
Innocent Bystanders
Duel in the Jungle
Crash Dive
The Devil’s Brigade
Spy in Your Eye
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
The Cobra
Madison Avenue
Good Guys Wear Black
December 7th
Crack in the World
Tobacco Road
The Ox-Bow Incident
While the City Sleeps
Sword in the Desert
Assignment: Paris
No Minor Vices
Deep Waters
Three Hours to Kill
Johnny Reno
Brainstorm
Night Song
The Satan Bug
I Want You
The Art Director
The Failing of Raymond
Zero Hour!
Fallen Angel
The Fearmakers
Elephant Walk
Up in Arms
Daisy Kenyon
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Town Tamer
Comanche
The Purple Heart
Ike
Berlin Correspondent
Enchanted Island
Spring Reunion
Smoke Signal
The Iron Curtain
Born Again
The Frozen Dead
Sailor’s Lady
A Walk in the Sun
Kit Carson
The Forbidden Street
The Loved One
Battle of the Bulge
My Foolish Heart
State Fair
The North Star
Laura
Hot Rods to Hell
In Harm’s Way
The Frogmen
Swamp Water
Canyon Passage
Belle Starr
Wing and a Prayer
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Dana Andrews, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1965
Spy in Your Eye
Col. Lancaster
Crack in the World
Dr. Stephen Sorenson
Brainstorm
Cort Benson
The Satan Bug
Gen. Williams
Town Tamer
Tom Rosser
The Loved One
Gen. Buck Brinkman
Battle of the Bulge
Colonel Pritchard
In Harm’s Way
Admiral Broderick
1949
Sword in the Desert
Mike Dillon
The Art Director
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Forbidden Street
Henry Lambert / Gilbert Lauderdale
My Foolish Heart
Walt Dreiser
1944
Up in Arms
Joe Nelson
The Purple Heart
Capt. Harvey Ross
Laura
Det. Lt. Mark McPherson
Wing and a Prayer
Edward Moulton
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