Obit: Harve Presnell - Broadway musical actor

Subject: Obit: Harve Presnell
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 12:31 PM

I always loved watching and hearing him.

Harve Presnell Dies at 75

By ADAM BRYANT
TV GUIDE

Harve Presnell, the Golden Globe-winning actor best known for his role as William H. Macy's father-in-law in Fargo and who starred in Broadway musicals The Unsinkable Molly Brown and Annie, has died. He was 75.

The actor died Tuesday at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., after a battle with pancreatic cancer, Presnell's agent told the Associated Press.

See other celebrities who have died this year

Born, George Harvey Presnell on Sept. 14, 1933, he was known for his booming baritone voice. The 6-foot-4 actor first gained attention in 1960 as mining prospector "Leadville" Johnny Brown in The Unsinkable Molly Brown. He later reprised the role in the 1964 film version opposite Debbie Reynolds in the title role.

Presnell became a leading man when he was cast as wealthy, bald Daddy Warbucks in a tour of Annie. He continued to play the role in various productions of the musical, including a run on Broadway from 1981-1983. He also played the character in the ill-fated, off-Broadway sequel, Annie Warbucks.

Outside of theater, Presnell was best known on the big screen for his role in the Coen Brothers' 1996 film Fargo, in which he played Macy's father-in-law. Some of his other notable film appearances include When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965), The Glory Guys (1965) and Paint Your Wagon (1969). The Fargo role helped revive his career, leading to roles in Saving Private Ryan and most recently Evan Almighty.

Presnell was also no stranger to the small screen. He was recurring character Mr. Parker on NBC's The Pretender and starred in the short-lived Andy Barker, P.I. He also had a brief arc on Dawson's Creek as A.I. Brooks, an old-Hollywood director and mentor to Dawson.

In 1965, he won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Male Newcomer alongside George Segal and Topol.

He is survived by his second wife, Veeva, six children and several grandchildren.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harve Presnell
From: MMario
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 12:35 PM

I'll never say no to you
Colorado
they call the wind Mariah

and many more songs

It's his voice I hear when I think of them...

Subject: RE: Obit: Harve Presnell
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 01:15 PM

Me, too, MMario.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harve Presnell - Broadway musical actor
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 02:57 PM

Harve Presnell was from a town just about 75 miles north of where I grew up. He had an amazing presence and a voice for the ages. Unfortunately for him, he came along toward the twilight time for major musicals and his stage career was not as full of opportunities as it might have been. His later ventures into television and film showed his range as an actor. He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harve Presnell - Broadway musical actor
From: M.Ted
Date: 09 Jul 09 - 09:32 PM

One of my favorites--there haven't been very many theatrical baritones, not good ones, anyway--it requires a lot of wind to fill out the notes in that range, and it requires that you put a lot of personality into it as well--and he did both--his voice was unmistakable and he was a great presence on stage and on film.   Sorry to lose him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Harve Presnell - Broadway musical actor
From: JJ
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 06:18 AM

There is a recording of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana," with Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra, in which Harve Presnell sings the baritone solos. Get it...