Leonard Graves

Last updated
Leonard Graves
Born1927
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJanuary 25, 2000
Alma mater Juilliard School
OccupationActor
SpouseMeryl Graves
Children4 sons

Leonard Graves (1927-2000) was an American actor and singer best known for narrating the 1952 television documentary Victory at Sea. Graves was the only voice on the 26-part series, [1] which won multiple awards, including a 1954 Emmy for Best Public Affairs Program, [2] a special Peabody award [3] and the Freedoms Foundation's George Washington Medal. [4]

Graves was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1927 and began his performing career in radio. He joined the Broadway cast of The King and I as the Interpreter and also understudied for Yul Brynner as the King, filling in on many occasions. Graves took over the lead when Brynner left the show, and after a two-year run on Broadway, he joined a national tour. [5]

Graves appeared in several motion pictures, including: [6]

Graves also had guest roles in a number of television series [8] including Navy Log and The Big Picture (Army In Action episodes). [9] In 1968 he was appointed manager of the Memphis Opera Theater. [5] Graves later moved to Israel with his wife where he was active in the Israel National Opera. He reportedly died circa 2000. [10] [11]

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References

  1. ↑ Mattheisen, Donald J. (February 1992). "Persuasive History: A Critical Comparison of Television's Victory at Sea and The World at War". The History Teacher. 25 (2). Society for History Education: 239–251. doi:10.2307/494277. JSTOR   494277.
  2. ↑ Emmy awards —Victory at Sea
  3. ↑ IMDB award page for Victory at Sea
  4. ↑ Rollins, Peter C. (1973). "Victory at Sea: Cold War Epic". The Journal of Popular Culture. VI (3): 463–482. doi:10.1111/j.0022-3840.1973.0603_463.x.
  5. 1 2 Ask Vance: Leonard Graves, Vance Lauderdale, Memphis Magazine, January 11, 2018
  6. ↑ Rotten Tomato biography
  7. ↑ A Message from the Future, Full Cast and Crew IMDB
  8. ↑ IMDB filmography for Leonard Graves
  9. ↑ Army Pictorial Center website
  10. ↑ Kauai and Victory at Sea, Hank Soboleski, The Garden Island, August 11, 2019
  11. ↑ An update on Memphis Singer and Actor Leonard Graves, Vance Lauderdale, Memphis Magazine, January 31, 2018
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