What's After the Movie
Melvyn Douglas
Melvyn Douglas, born Melvyn Edouard Hesselberg, was a distinguished American actor, active from 1926 to 1981. He gained prominence in 1929 as a suave leading man, notably in the romantic comedy Ninotchka (1939) with Greta Garbo. Transitioning to mature and fatherly roles, Douglas won Academy Awards for Hud (1963) and Being There (1979), and received an Academy Award nomination for I Never Sang for My Father (1970). Among his last notable work, Douglas acted in films with supernatural themes, like The Changeling (1980) and Ghost Story (1981). Born in 1901, Georgia to Lena Priscilla (née Shackelford) and Edouard Gregory Hesselberg, a concert pianist and composer, Douglas retained the surname of his maternal grandmother. Despite his rich Jewish heritage, he maintained he was kept ignorant of this aspect of his identity until his early teens, with his father showing discretion about the family's Jewish roots.
Throughout his career, Melvyn Douglas played in a variety of mediums, from Shakespearean repertory and stock companies in his youth to prominent roles in major films and television. His military service in World War I and II saw him rise to the rank of Major in the United States Army. His marriage to actress-turned-politician Helen Gahagan led to an active life of political involvement, opposing fascism and contributing to the arts. Near the end of his life, his roles shifted to playing older-men and fatherly figures, which earned him his Academy Awards. Despite his tremendous success, personal tragedies like the death of his wife in 1980 took a toll on him. Melvyn Douglas passed away in 1981 from pneumonia and cardiac complications.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Melvyn Douglas, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Melvyn Douglas rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Melvyn Edouard Hesselberg
Born: Macon, Georgia, U.S.
Citizenship: United States
Birthday: April 5, 1901
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1926-1981
Children: 3
Spouses: Rosalind Hightower, Helen Gahagan
External Links and Streaming Options
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Awards and Nominations Received by Melvyn Douglas
Explore the awards, honors, and nominations Melvyn Douglas has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.
Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor)
Being ThereBest Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Comedy or Musical (Supporting Actor)
HudMovies Featuring Melvyn Douglas
Being There
The Tenant
The Changeling
The Candidate
Hud
The Americanization of Emily
Captains Courageous
Myrna Loy: So Nice to Come Home To
Tell Me a Riddle
The Hot Touch
Ghost Story
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
Counsellor at Law
This Thing Called Love
Three Hearts for Julia
The Big Parade of Comedy
Hollywood: The Selznick Years
The Old Dark House
One Is a Lonely Number
Prestige
Too Many Husbands
Dangerous Corner
He Stayed for Breakfast
The Great Sinner
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
I Never Sang for My Father
Billy Budd
The Death Squad
The Sea of Grass
Death Takes a Holiday
From the Ends of the Earth
Mary Burns, Fugitive
The Amazing Mr. Williams
And So They Were Married
My Forbidden Past
Hunters Are for Killing
That Uncertain Feeling
The Lone Wolf Returns
Hotel
The Vampire Bat
We Were Dancing
Advance to the Rear
Twilight’s Last Gleaming
Fast Company
My Own True Love
Tell No Tales
That Certain Age
On the Loose
Two-Faced Woman
Rapture
I Met Him in Paris
Theodora Goes Wild
The Wiser Sex
The Crucible
A Woman’s Secret
As You Desire Me
The Seduction of Joe Tynan
The Gorgeous Hussy
They All Kissed the Bride
Woman in the Dark
Arsène Lupin Returns
Annie Oakley
The Toy Wife
Third Finger, Left Hand
The Shining Hour
There’s That Woman Again
Ninotchka
Tonight or Never
A Woman’s Face
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
I’ll Take Romance
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Melvyn Douglas, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1988
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
Self (archive footage)
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
Self (archive footage)
1972
The Candidate
One Is a Lonely Number
Joseph Provo
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
Self (archive footage)
1964
The Americanization of Emily
The Big Parade of Comedy
Leon (archive footage)
Advance to the Rear
Col. Claude Brackenbury
1941
That Uncertain Feeling
Larry Baker
Two-Faced Woman
Lawrence 'Larry' Blake
A Woman’s Face
Dr. Gustaf Segert
1940
This Thing Called Love
Tice Collins
Too Many Husbands
Henry Lowndes
He Stayed for Breakfast
Paul Boliet
Third Finger, Left Hand
Jeff Thompson
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
Self
1939
From the Ends of the Earth
Self
The Amazing Mr. Williams
Kenny Williams
Tell No Tales
Michael Cassidy
Ninotchka
Count Leon d'Algout
1938
Fast Company
Joel Sloane
That Certain Age
Vincent Bullitt
Arsène Lupin Returns
Rene Farrand aka Arsene Lupin
The Toy Wife
George Sartoris
The Shining Hour
Henry Linden
There’s That Woman Again
William 'Bill' Reardon
1936
And So They Were Married
Stephen Blake
Theodora Goes Wild
Michael Grant
The Gorgeous Hussy
John Randolph
1935
Mary Burns, Fugitive
Barton Powell
The Lone Wolf Returns
Michael Lanyard
Annie Oakley
Jeff Hogarth
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