| MACARTHUR, JAMES GORDON
Today the world mourns the loss of internationally-known actor, family
man, and humble human being, James Gordon MacArthur. He passed on
October 28, 2010 at the age of 72 with his family by his side. James was
born on December 8, 1937 in Los Angeles, California and raised in a
theatre atmosphere by his parents, the First Lady of the American stage,
Helen Hayes and noted playwright Charles MacArthur residing at their
home, "Pretty Penny", on the bank of the Hudson River in Nyack, New
York. As an actor, James had three strong separate careers, Live Stage,
Movies and Television. In 1955 prior to his senior year at the Solebury
School, James appeared in the TV play, "Deal a Blow". After graduation
and before going to Harvard, he went to Hollywood to make the film
version of it, renamed "The Young Stranger" which earned him a
nomination in the Most Promising Newcomer category at the 1958 BAFTA
awards. During summer breaks from Harvard he made "The Light in the
Forest" and "Third Man on the Mountain" for Walt Disney. In 1959 and
1960, he made both "Kidnapped" and "Swiss Family Robinson" for Disney
and made his Broadway debut playing Aaron Jablonski opposite Jane Fonda
in "Invitation to a March" which won him the 1961 Theatre World Award
for Best New Actor. He then appeared in "Under the Yum Yum Tree", "The
Moon Is Blue", "John Loves Mary", "Barefoot in the Park" and "Murder at
the Howard Johnson's" before returning to Hollywood to star in such
movies as "The Interns", "Spencer's Mountain", "The Truth About Spring"
with Haley Mills, and "Cry of Battle". In 1963, he was a runner up in
the Golden Laurel Awards in the "Top New Male Personality" category. He
then was a member of the all-star cast which included Henry Fonda,
Robert Shaw, Robert Ryan, Dana Andrews, George Montgomery, Charles
Bronson and Telly Savalas in "The Battle of the Bulge". In 1968 producer
Leonard Freeman remembered the actor who did a cameo in the Clint
Eastwood movie "Hang 'em High" as the traveling preacher who came on the
set, requiring only one take which was excellent. He called James, and
cast him as Detective Dan Williams of Hawaii 5-0, who will be forever
tied to the phrase "Book 'em Dano!". After 11 years as Detective Dan
Williams, he returned to the live stage in "The Hasty Hearst" with
Caroline Lagerfelt", "The Front Page", a play written by his father
Charles MacArthur, "A Bed full of Foreigners" in several locals and then
played Mortimer in the national tour of "Arsenic and Old Lace" with
Jean Stapleton, Marion Ross, and Larry Storch. MacArthur loved life and
all that it had to offer. He was adventurous and a world traveler. In
the early 1970s he spent six months driving his Land Rover from London,
England to Malawi, Africa with friend, Stan Hattie. He also enjoyed
sharing his love for travel with his family taking them on numerous
vacations to many exotic locations. James was an avid tennis player and
enjoyed skiing, fishing, and hiking. He was a skilled flamenco
guitarist and a consummate reader. His passion for playing golf led him
to meet and fall in love with his wife, LPGA tour player and teacher,
"H.B." Duntz. Throughout his life James developed a long list of
friendships and stories to tell along the way. He had a great sense of
humor and loved to laugh. He was witty and charming always enjoying a
good time. He was often the recipient of practical jokes; however, one
could always tell when he was the instigator of a few good ones of his
own by that famous little crinkle at the side of his mouth and the
twinkle in his eye. He was never one to be lost for words. MacArthur
was deeply honored to speak at the Library of Congress. He also was the
Master of Ceremonies at Dan Quayle's Inaugural Ball. He was most
supportive of the theatre through the Helen Hayes Awards in Washington,
DC serving as a Board member, participant in the Annual Charity Auction
and as the presenter of the Charles MacArthur Award for Best New Play at
the annual Washington Theatre Awards. In 2001, James was honored with
his own star along the Walk of Fame in Palm Springs, California. In
2003, the fourth annual Film in Hawaii Award was bestowed upon him and
Hawaii Five-O. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
honored James with a Gold Circle Award for 50 years of outstanding
contributions to the medium in 2008. He was a true master of his craft.
His retirement was as busy as his career spending time with his family,
who meant the world to him. He leaves behind his wife of over 25
years, Helen Beth (H.B. Duntz), four children: Charles P. MacArthur
(Jennie), Mary McClure (Kevin), Juliette Rappaport (Kurt), James D.
MacArthur and seven grandchildren; Ruby Johnstone, Riley Kea MacArthur,
Ford and Daisy McClure, Jake, Luke, and Julia Rappaport. Private burial
will take place at the family plot at Oak Hill Cemetery in Nyack, NY. A
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at
11 AM at St. Ann's RC Church in Nyack, NY. In lieu of flowers,
contributions may be made to the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation, 51 N
route 9W, West Haverstraw, NY 10993. HANNEMANN FUNERAL HOME, INC. 88
South Broadway Nyack, NY (845) 358-0573 |
