1937 was a Very Good Year
Content by Tony Macklin. Originally published on July 19, 2024 @ tonymacklin.net.
1939 was the best year for American film.
The 1970s was the best decade.
And 1937 was the year when the most enduring actors and actresses were born. 1937 produced some of the best actors and actresses in film history -- in a single year.
Jack Nicholson, Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, and Vanessa Redgrave were all born in 1937. All seven are still alive.
In their careers they collected 11 acting Oscars, and were nominated for 47. Jack Nicholson won 3 and received 12 nominations, the most ever by an actor.
Warren Beatty was the only one who never won an Oscar for acting, but he received 4 acting nominations, and a total of 14 in film categories. He won his only Oscar for directing Reds (1982).
They all are turning 87 this year. Vanessa Redgrave was born January 30 in London, She won a Supporting Actress Oscar for Julia (1977).
Warren Beatty was born on March 30, in Richmond, Virginia.
Jack Nicholson was born April 22, in New Jersey. He won Best Actor Oscars for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and As Good As It Gets (1997), and Supporting Actor for Terms of Endearment (1983).
Morgan Freeman was born June 1 in Memphis, Tennessee. He won Best Supporting Actor for Million Dollar Baby (2004).
Dustin Hoffman was born August 8 in LA. He won Best Actor Oscars for Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and Rain Man (1988).
Jane Fonda was born December 21 in New York City. She won for Klute (1971) and Coming Home (1978).
Anthony Hopkins was born on the last day of the year December 31 in Wales. He won for one of the most memorable characters ever as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs (1991). He also is the most recent winner of an Oscar when he won in an upset for The Father (2021). It may be one of the least memorable. Though worthy, few people have seen the film.
Time passes and great actors may be forgotten. I ask a lot of people "who is Jack Nicholson?" A few people know The Shining (1980). They are oblivious to Randle McMurphy. "Is Jack Nicholson a singer?"
As reputations wane in 2024, may the magnificent seven of 1937 live on.
In our hearts.
Related Content
