Wesley Addy

Wesley Addy (born Robert Wesley Addy on August 4, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska) was a prolific American actor whose career spanned stage, radio, television and film for more than six decades. Raised as the second child of a minister and a Danish‑born nurse, Addy spent his early years in Inglewood, California, where he discovered a love for music and drama, playing the oboe in high school before enrolling at UCLA as an economics major. He quickly switched to dramatics, earning acclaim for his performances as Orestes and the Earl of Essex, and graduated with a solid foundation in classical theater. After college, Addy moved east to join the Vineyard Players on Martha’s Vineyard, gaining his first Equity card and launching a Broadway career that began with a bit part in John Houseman’s Panic (1935). He soon earned larger roles, notably as Marcellus and Fortinbras in the 1936 production of Hamlet starring Leslie Howard, and as the fiery Hotspur in Richard II and Henry IV, Part I, where critics praised his vigor and charisma. His stage work continued through the 1940s with productions such as Romeo and Juliet (as Benvolio under Laurence Olivier), Twelfth Night (Orsino), and the challenging Battle of Angels by Tennessee Williams. Addy’s career was interrupted by World War II; he enlisted in 1941, served in the 63rd Infantry Division, and rose to the rank of Major before his discharge in 1946. Returning to the theater, he appeared in Antigone and the Tyrant, Candida (with Katharine Cornell), and Another Part of the Forest, where his performances were frequently highlighted as the driving force of the productions. Transitioning to screen, Addy became a reliable character actor in films such as Kiss Me Deadly, The Big Knife, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, and the Oscar‑winning Network (1976). He also enjoyed a robust television presence, guest‑starring on series like Perry Mason, The Edge of Night, Ryan’s Hope and Loving. In 1966 he married Academy‑Award‑winning actress Celeste Holm, a partnership that lasted until his death. Addy died on December 31 1996 in Danbury, Connecticut, leaving behind a legacy of versatile performances across multiple media.