O.Z. Whitehead was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Grapes of Wrath, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Road House. He made a significant impact in both film and theatre throughout his career.
Personal and Family Life
O.Z. Whitehead was born on March 1, 1911, in New York City. He attended Harvard University, where he changed his major from English to dramatics, despite his parents’ disapproval. During his time there, he formed a lasting friendship with Dick Hepburn, brother of actress Katharine Hepburn.
Career Highlights
Whitehead began his acting career in the 1930s as a character actor on the New York stage. He gained prominence for his role as Al Joad in John Ford’s film The Grapes of Wrath in 1940. Notably, he played a teenager at the age of 50 in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance in 1962. Throughout his life, he was known for having a versatile range, often portraying characters much younger than himself.
Death and Legacy
O.Z. Whitehead passed away on July 29, 1998, in Dublin, Ireland, after a battle with cancer. He had moved to Ireland in 1963 and was recognized as a vital member of the Bahá’í community there, contributing to its growth and historical preservation. His work in film and theatre has left a lasting legacy in the acting world.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Grapes of Wrath | 1940-03-15 | Al Joad |
| Road House | 1948-09-22 | Arthur |
| Panic in Year Zero! | 1962-07-05 | Hogan |
| The Scarf | 1951-04-06 | Whoopie |
| Beware, My Lovely | 1952-08-29 | Mr. Franks |
| The Hoodlum | 1951-07-05 | Breckenridge |
| The Horse Soldiers | 1959-06-11 | Otis ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins |
| The Lion in Winter | 1968-10-30 | Bishop of Durham |
| The Last Hurrah | 1958-12-31 | Norman Cass Jr. |
| Rally ‘Round the Flag, Boys! | 1958-12-23 | Isaac Goodpasture |
| The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance | 1962-04-13 | Herbert Carruthers |
| Comin’ Round the Mountain | 1951-07-26 | Zeke |
| Summer Magic | 1963-07-07 | Mr. Perkins |
| The Scoundrel | 1935-04-30 | Calhoun |
| The San Francisco Story | 1952-05-11 | Alfey |
| For Men Only | 1952-01-11 | Prof. Bixby |
| Two Rode Together | 1961-05-24 | Lt. Whitehead |
| A Song Is Born | 1948-10-19 | Professor Oddly |
| The Romance of Rosy Ridge | 1947-08-04 | Ninny Nat |
| FBI Girl | 1951-11-04 | Chauncey |
| Ma and Pa Kettle | 1949-04-01 | Mr. Billings |
| My Brother Talks to Horses | 1947-02-04 | Mr. Puddy |
| The Body Beautiful | 1953-08-10 | Oscar Blunt |
| Journey Into Light | 1951-09-28 | Lippy |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | Hank Blenis |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Harry Beacom |
| Studio One | 1948-11-07 | Peter Kovalesky |
| Alfred Hitchcock Presents | 1955-10-02 | Mr. Newton |
| Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse | 1958-10-06 | |
| Hazel | 1961-09-28 | |
| Suspense | 1949-01-06 | George Vance |
| Cavalcade of America | 1952-10-01 |