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{{short description|American actor}}
{{short description|American film and television actor (1918–1970)}}
{{more footnotes|date=March 2013}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=March 2013}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = James J. Edwards
| name = James J. Edwards
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| resting_place = Evergreen Memorial Park, [[Hobart, Indiana]], U.S.
| resting_place = Evergreen Memorial Park, [[Hobart, Indiana]], U.S.
| occupation =
| occupation =
| spouse = Everdinne Edwards (?-1970, his death)
| spouse = Everdinne Wilson Edwards (?-1970, his death)
| children=1
| children=1
| yearsactive = 1947–1969
| yearsactive = 1947–1969
| domesticpartner =
| domesticpartner =
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}}
}}


'''James Johnson Edwards''' (March 6, 1918{{spaced ndash}}January 4, 1970) was an American actor in films and television. His most famous role was as Private Peter Moss in the [[1949 in cinema|1949]] film ''[[Home of the Brave (1949 film)|Home of the Brave]]'', in which he portrayed an [[African American]] soldier experiencing racial prejudice while serving in the South Pacific during [[World War II]].
'''James Johnson Edwards''' (March 6, 1918{{spaced ndash}}January 4, 1970) was an American actor in films and television. His most famous role was as Private Peter Moss in the [[1949 in cinema|1949]] film ''[[Home of the Brave (1949 film)|Home of the Brave]]'', in which he portrayed a [[Black]] soldier experiencing racial prejudice while serving in the South Pacific during [[World War II]].


==Career==
==Career==
Edwards majored in psychology at [[Knoxville College]] in Tennessee and continued his education at [[Northwestern University]] where he received a master's degree in drama. While enrolled at Northwestern, he participated in student productions and in the [[Federal Theatre Project]].
Edwards majored in psychology at [[Knoxville College]] in Tennessee and continued his education at [[Northwestern University]] where he received a master's degree in drama. While enrolled at Northwestern, he participated in student productions and in the [[Federal Theatre Project]].


During World War II he was commissioned as a [[first lieutenant]] in the U.S. Army.<ref>http://www.blackpast.org/aah/edwards-james-1918-1970</ref>
During World War II, he was commissioned as a [[first lieutenant]] in the [[U.S. Army]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blackpast.org/aah/edwards-james-1918-1970|title = James Edwards (1918-1970) •|date = 25 December 2008}}</ref>


After the war he appeared on the New York stage when he assumed the role of the war hero in the touring play ''Deep Are the Roots''.
After the war he appeared on the New York stage when he assumed the role of the war hero in the touring play ''Deep Are the Roots''.


Throughout his early and mid acting career, Edwards portrayed African American soldiers, playing such characters in ''[[Home of the Brave (1949 film)|Home of the Brave]]'' (1949), ''[[The Steel Helmet]]'' (1951), ''[[Bright Victory]]'' (1951), ''[[Battle Hymn (film)|Battle Hymn]]'' (1957), ''[[Men in War]]'' (1957), [[Blood and Steel (film)|Blood and Steel]] (1959), and ''[[Pork Chop Hill]]'' (1959) as well as an uncredited [[Messman]] in ''[[The Caine Mutiny (film)|The Caine Mutiny]]''. (1954).
Throughout his early and mid acting career, Edwards portrayed African American soldiers, playing such characters in ''[[Home of the Brave (1949 film)|Home of the Brave]]'' (1949), ''[[The Steel Helmet]]'' (1951), ''[[Bright Victory]]'' (1951), ''[[Battle Hymn (film)|Battle Hymn]]'' (1957), ''[[Men in War]]'' (1957), [[Blood and Steel (1959 film)|Blood and Steel]] (1959), and ''[[Pork Chop Hill (film)|Pork Chop Hill]]'' (1959) as well as an uncredited [[Messman]] in ''[[The Caine Mutiny (1954 film)|The Caine Mutiny]]''. (1954).


It was believed he was originally cast in Universal's ''[[Red Ball Express (film)|Red Ball Express]]'' but was replaced by [[Sidney Poitier]] when he refused to testify before the [[House Un-American Activities Committee]].<ref>p. 70 Deane, Pamala S. ''James Edwards: African American Hollywood Icon'' McFarland, 8 Dec. 2009</ref>
It was believed he was originally cast in Universal's ''[[Red Ball Express (film)|Red Ball Express]]'' but was replaced by [[Sidney Poitier]] when he refused to testify before the [[House Un-American Activities Committee]].<ref>p. 70 Deane, Pamala S. ''James Edwards: African American Hollywood Icon'' McFarland, 8 Dec. 2009</ref>


Other notable roles were in [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s ''[[The Killing (film)|The Killing]]'' (1956) and [[John Frankenheimer]]'s ''[[The Manchurian Candidate (1962 film)|The Manchurian Candidate]]'' (1962).
Other notable roles were in [[Stanley Kubrick]]'s ''[[The Killing (film)|The Killing]]'' (1956) and [[John Frankenheimer]]'s ''[[The Manchurian Candidate (1962 film)|The Manchurian Candidate]]'' (1962).


Edwards was prolific on TV in the [[1960s in television|1960s]], playing character roles in various series such as ''[[Peter Gunn]]'', ''[[The Fugitive (TV series)|The Fugitive]]'', ''[[Burke's Law (1963 TV series)|Burke's Law]]'', ''[[Dr. Kildare]]'' and ''[[Mannix]]'', before his death of a heart attack at the age of 51 in 1970.
Edwards was prolific on TV in the [[1960s in television|1960s]], playing character roles in various series such as ''[[Peter Gunn]]'', ''[[The Fugitive (1963 TV series)|The Fugitive]]'', The Twilight Zone's "The Big Tall Wish", ''[[Burke's Law (1963 TV series)|Burke's Law]]'', ''[[Dr. Kildare (TV series)|Dr. Kildare]]'' and ''[[Mannix]]'', before his death of a heart attack at the age of 51 in 1970.


One of his final roles was as General [[George S. Patton]]'s longtime personal valet, Sergeant Major William George Meeks, in the film ''[[Patton (film)|Patton]]''.
One of his final roles was as General [[George S. Patton]]'s longtime personal valet, Sergeant Major William George Meeks, in the film ''[[Patton (film)|Patton]]''.


==Death==
==Death==
James Edwards died on Sunday, January 4, 1970, in [[San Diego, CA]]. He was working on a film script in a rented house in San Diego when he complained of chest pains. He was taken to [[Sharp Memorial Hospital]], where he died. The ''[[New York Times]]'' reported that his age was given as 42.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/01/08/archives/james-edwards-film-actor-dead-gained-fame-in-film-home-of-the-brave.html|title=James Edwards, Film Actor, Dead|date=1970-01-08|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-12-22|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
James Edwards died on Sunday, January 4, 1970, in [[San Diego, CA]]. He was working on a film script in his wife's family's house in San Diego when he complained of chest pains. He was taken to [[Sharp Memorial Hospital]], where he died. The ''[[New York Times]]'' reported that his age was given as 42.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/01/08/archives/james-edwards-film-actor-dead-gained-fame-in-film-home-of-the-brave.html|title=James Edwards, Film Actor, Dead|date=1970-01-08|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-12-22|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Edwards was in fact 51.


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
{{Div col}}
{{Div col}}
* ''[[The Set-Up (1949 film)|The Set-Up]]'' (1949) as Luther Hawkins
* ''[[The Set-Up (1949 film)|The Set-Up]]'' (1949) as Luther Hawkins
* ''Home of the Brave'' (1949) as Private Peter Moss
* ''[[Home of the Brave (1949 film)|Home of the Brave]]'' (1949) as Private Peter Moss
* ''[[Manhandled (1949 film)|Manhandled]]'' (1949) as Henry, Bennet's Butler (uncredited)
* ''[[Manhandled (1949 film)|Manhandled]]'' (1949) as Henry, Bennet's Butler (uncredited)
* ''[[The Steel Helmet]]'' (1951) as Cpl. Thompson
* ''[[The Steel Helmet]]'' (1951) as Corporal Thompson
* ''[[Bright Victory]]'' (1951) as Joe Morgan
* ''[[Bright Victory]]'' (1951) as Joe Morgan
* ''[[The Member of the Wedding (film)|The Member Of The Wedding]]'' (1952) as Honey Camden Brown
* ''[[The Member of the Wedding (film)|The Member Of The Wedding]]'' (1952) as Honey Camden Brown
* ''[[The Joe Louis Story]]'' (1953) as Jack 'Chappie' Blackburn
* ''[[The Joe Louis Story]]'' (1953) as Jack 'Chappie' Blackburn
* ''[[The Caine Mutiny (film)|The Caine Mutiny]]'' (1954) as Whittaker (uncredited)
* ''[[The Caine Mutiny (1954 film)|The Caine Mutiny]]'' (1954) as Whittaker (uncredited)
* ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' (1955) (Season 1 Episode 7: "Breakdown") as Convict
* ''[[African Manhunt]]'' (1955) as Native Guide
* ''[[African Manhunt]]'' (1955) as Native Guide
* ''[[Seven Angry Men]]'' (1955) as Ned Green
* ''[[Seven Angry Men]]'' (1955) as Ned Green
* ''[[The Phenix City Story]]'' (1955) as Zeke Ward
* ''[[The Phenix City Story]]'' (1955) as Zeke Ward
* ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' (1956) (Season 1 Episode 15: "The Big Switch") as Ed
* ''[[The Killing (film)|The Killing]]'' (1956) as Track Parking Attendant
* ''[[The Killing (film)|The Killing]]'' (1956) as Track Parking Attendant
* ''[[Battle Hymn (film)|Battle Hymn]]'' (1957) as Lt. Maples
* ''[[Battle Hymn (film)|Battle Hymn]]'' (1957) as Lieutenant Maples
* ''[[Men in War]]'' (1957) as Sgt. Killian
* ''[[Men in War]]'' (1957) as Sergeant Killian
* ''[[Fräulein (1958 film)|Fräulein]]'' (1958) as Cpl. S. Hanks
* ''[[Fräulein (1958 film)|Fräulein]]'' (1958) as Corporal S. Hanks
* ''[[Tarzan's Fight for Life]]'' (1958) as Futa
* ''[[Tarzan's Fight for Life]]'' (1958) as Futa
* ''[[Anna Lucasta (1958 film)|Anna Lucasta]]'' (1958) as Eddie
* ''[[Anna Lucasta (1958 film)|Anna Lucasta]]'' (1958) as Eddie
* ''[[Night of the Quarter Moon]]'' (1959) as Asa Tully
* ''[[Night of the Quarter Moon]]'' (1959) as Asa Tully
* ''[[Pork Chop Hill]]'' (1959) as Cpl. Jurgens
* ''[[Pork Chop Hill (film)|Pork Chop Hill]]'' (1959) as Corporal Jurgens
* ''[[Blood and Steel (film)|Blood and Steel]]'' (1959) as George
* ''[[Blood and Steel (1959 film)|Blood and Steel]]'' (1959) as George
* ''[[The Manchurian Candidate (1962 film)|The Manchurian Candidate]]'' (1962) as Corporal Allen Melvin
* ''[[The Manchurian Candidate (1962 film)|The Manchurian Candidate]]'' (1962) as Corporal Allen Melvin
* ''Legend of Bearheart'' (1964) released as ''Legend of the Northwest'' in 1978<ref>p. 188 Pitts, Michael R.''Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films, 2d edition'' McFarland 2012</ref>
* ''Legend of Bearheart'' (1964) released as ''Legend of the Northwest'' in 1978<ref>p. 188 Pitts, Michael R.''Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films, 2d edition'' McFarland 2012</ref>
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* ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' (1968, TV Series) as The Mustangers
* ''[[The Virginian (TV series)|The Virginian]]'' (1968, TV Series) as The Mustangers
* ''[[The Young Runaways (1968 film)|The Young Runaways]]'' (1968) as Sergeant Joe Collyer
* ''[[The Young Runaways (1968 film)|The Young Runaways]]'' (1968) as Sergeant Joe Collyer
* ''[[Coogan's Bluff (film)|Coogan's Bluff]]'' (1968) as Sgt. Jackson
* ''[[Coogan's Bluff (film)|Coogan's Bluff]]'' (1968) as Sergeant Jackson
* ''[[Patton (film)|Patton]]'' (1970) as Sergeant Major William George Meeks
* ''[[Patton (film)|Patton]]'' (1970) as Sergeant Major William George Meeks
* ''Doomsday Voyage'' (1972) as Coast Guard Officer
* ''[[Doomsday Voyage]]'' (1972) as Coast Guard Officer
* ''Legend of the Northwest'' (1978) (final film role)
* ''Legend of the Northwest'' (1978) (final film role)
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|James Edwards (actor)}}
{{Commons category|James Edwards (actor)}}
*{{findagrave|7145761}}
*{{find a Grave|7145761}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0250066|name=James Edwards}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0250066|name=James Edwards}}


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[[Category:Male actors from Indiana]]
[[Category:Male actors from Indiana]]
[[Category:People from Muncie, Indiana]]
[[Category:People from Muncie, Indiana]]
⚫
[[Category:African-American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army officers]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century African-American male actors]]
[[Category:Knoxville College alumni]]
[[Category:Northwestern University alumni]]
[[Category:Federal Theatre Project people]]

Latest revision as of 17:02, 20 August 2024

James J. Edwards
Edwards in the 1953 film, The Joe Louis Story
Born
James Johnson Edwards

(1918-03-06)March 6, 1918
Muncie, Indiana, U.S.
DiedJanuary 4, 1970(1970-01-04) (aged 51)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Resting placeEvergreen Memorial Park, Hobart, Indiana, U.S.
Years active1947–1969
SpouseEverdinne Wilson Edwards (?-1970, his death)
Children1

James Johnson Edwards (March 6, 1918 – January 4, 1970) was an American actor in films and television. His most famous role was as Private Peter Moss in the 1949 film Home of the Brave, in which he portrayed a Black soldier experiencing racial prejudice while serving in the South Pacific during World War II.

Career

[edit]

Edwards majored in psychology at Knoxville College in Tennessee and continued his education at Northwestern University where he received a master's degree in drama. While enrolled at Northwestern, he participated in student productions and in the Federal Theatre Project.

During World War II, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army.[1]

After the war he appeared on the New York stage when he assumed the role of the war hero in the touring play Deep Are the Roots.

Throughout his early and mid acting career, Edwards portrayed African American soldiers, playing such characters in Home of the Brave (1949), The Steel Helmet (1951), Bright Victory (1951), Battle Hymn (1957), Men in War (1957), Blood and Steel (1959), and Pork Chop Hill (1959) as well as an uncredited Messman in The Caine Mutiny. (1954).

It was believed he was originally cast in Universal's Red Ball Express but was replaced by Sidney Poitier when he refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee.[2]

Other notable roles were in Stanley Kubrick's The Killing (1956) and John Frankenheimer's The Manchurian Candidate (1962).

Edwards was prolific on TV in the 1960s, playing character roles in various series such as Peter Gunn, The Fugitive, The Twilight Zone's "The Big Tall Wish", Burke's Law, Dr. Kildare and Mannix, before his death of a heart attack at the age of 51 in 1970.

One of his final roles was as General George S. Patton's longtime personal valet, Sergeant Major William George Meeks, in the film Patton.

Death

[edit]

James Edwards died on Sunday, January 4, 1970, in San Diego, CA. He was working on a film script in his wife's family's house in San Diego when he complained of chest pains. He was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he died. The New York Times reported that his age was given as 42.[3] Edwards was in fact 51.

Filmography

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "James Edwards (1918-1970) •". 25 December 2008.
  2. ^ p. 70 Deane, Pamala S. James Edwards: African American Hollywood Icon McFarland, 8 Dec. 2009
  3. ^ "James Edwards, Film Actor, Dead". The New York Times. 1970-01-08. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
  4. ^ p. 188 Pitts, Michael R.Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films, 2d edition McFarland 2012

References

[edit]
  • Deane, Pamala S. (8 December 2009) James Edwards: African American Hollywood Icon, McFarland
[edit]
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