Pat Henning: Movies & Filmography

Pat Henning, born Fred Patrick Henning on July 5, 1908, in Boston, Massachusetts, was an American character actor whose career spanned several decades in vaudeville, television, and film. He was a fourth-generation member of a theatrical family, and his immersion in the entertainment world began remarkably early—appearing on stage in a baby carriage at just two months old as part of a vaudeville show. Due to his family's extensive touring, young Henning traveled across much of the world with his parents, an experience that granted him proficiency in five different languages. Although these travels kept him from attending traditional schools, he was educated through correspondence courses from the Professional Children's School, and later studied at the New York Actors Studio, where he honed his acting craft. Henning also completed a one-year course in television and film production at Lindsey Hopkins, further expanding his skill set. He became a headliner in vaudeville shows and starred in George White's Scandals, a celebrated Broadway revue. His vaudeville success caught the attention of producer Andrew Stone, who signed him to a film contract the very next day after seeing his stage performance, leading to his role in Sensations of 1944. In 1953, Henning won an Emmy Award for his performance in The Catered Affair, showcasing his dramatic depth. He is perhaps best remembered, however, for playing Kayo Dugan in the classic 1954 film On The Waterfront, directed by Elia Kazan. Henning appeared in numerous television shows, including Flipper, Gentle Ben, The Honeymooners, and Wagon Train, demonstrating his versatility as a character actor. His film credits also include Man on a Tightrope and Wind across the Everglades. Henning was married to Elizabeth Croke for 32 years, and he passed away at his home in Miami Beach, Florida, on April 28, 1973, at the age of 62.