Charles Coburn

Started as an Usher and doorman at a theater in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia. By age 17, he had become manager of that establishment. He later turned to acting himself and made his bow on Broadway in 1901.

A cigar-smoking, monocled, swag-bellied character actor known for his Old South manners and charm. In 1918 he and his first wife formed the Coburn Players and appeared on Broadway in many plays.

In 1928, he opened his own theater, the Coburn Theater, on Manhattan's 63rd Street, but the Depression brought hard times and he was forced to declare bankruptcy in December 1932.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, he only stayed eight months a year in Hollywood. He returned east each summer to New York, which he considered home. In 1946, he moved to Hollywood full time.

Formed a repertory company with his actress-wife Ivah Wills, which endured until her death in 1937.

Auditioned for the role of Judge Hardy in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's famous Andy Hardy series. Although he did not get the role, he was noticed by director Clarence Brown, who cast him in Of Human Hearts (1938).

Appears in five Oscar Best Picture nominees: Kings Row (1942), The More the Merrier (1943), Heaven Can Wait (1943), Wilson (1944) and Around the World in 80 Days (1956). Only the last of these won.

The University of Georgia held a special day of celebration on January 30, 1956, as a distinguished native Georgian. The university has his archived library, correspondence, and memorabilia.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6268 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

On February 28, 2012, Coburn's Oscar statuette was auctioned by Nate D. Sanders Memorabilia. It sold for $170,459.

Studied the techniques of such late 19th-century stars as Henry Irving, DeWolf Hopper Sr.., John Drew and Richard Mansfield when he was a young theater Usher.