In Memoriam: Harve Presnell (1933-2009)
Filed under: Obits
Actor, singer and Broadway star Harve Presnell died July 1, 2009 at the age of 75. Born September 14, 1933, Presnell started his career on stage, playing prominent roles on Broadway in shows such as The Unsinkable Molly Brown, before moving into film work in the late 1960s. Perhaps best known as the domineering father-in-law to William H. Macy's sheepish wannabe kidnapper in Fargo, Presnell enjoyed a career resurgence in the 1990s and became one of the more recognizable character actors of the last two decades.Presnell's performance in Fargo was one of those that made even cinephiles wonder, who is this guy? Playing Wade Gunderson, the gruff and obstinate father of the film's kidnap victim, he complemented the desperate ambition of Macy's Jerry Lundegaard and the smalltown sensibleness of Frances McDormand's Marge Gunderson. That same year, he appeared in several other movies, including The Whole Wide World, Larger Than Life and The Chamber, rekindling a film career that stagnated in 1976.Born in Modesto, California, Presnell launched his theatrical career with an acclaimed turn as Johnnie Brown in the aforementioned Molly Brown before moving into film work. One of his most famous early roles was in the 1969 film Paint Your Wagon, where he sang "They Call the Wind Maria," which is widely regarded as one of the few highlights of the Clint Eastwood western-musical.
Subsequent to his return to film in 1996, Presnell appeared in many movies, including Patch Adams, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Mr. Deeds, Old School and Flags of Our Fathers. But his likely second most famous role during this time was as General George C. Marshall in Saving Private Ryan, whose dialogue was memorably played over the film's trailer: "That boy is alive. We are gonna send somebody to find him. And we are gonna get him... the hell... out of there." While his screen time in the film was limited to a few short scenes, it seems fitting that his voice continues to reverberate – and resonate – with audiences, since it was it was his vocal prowess that gave him his start in the entertainment industry, and shall forever be the hallmark of his memorable performances both on stage and screen.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-03-2009 @ 2:17PM
Ellen Kimball said...
I am saddened to read of Harve Presnell's passing. I had the chance to see him do a dinner theater musical at the Chateau de Ville in Framingham, Massachusetts in the 1970s while I was on AM radio. I recall that he and I had a subsequent telephone interview and a dialog ensued. I think I said something that may have hurt his feelings, perhaps about a poor hairpiece. Details? Can't recall anything else. Even looking back at my reviews from 1974-75, I'm not coming up with the answers. It would be years before I married a man who is bald and began to understand the trauma that hair loss creates in young men. My engineer husband began to lose his hair in his early 20s, and he was very self-conscious about it. Of course. male pattern baldness must be particularly difficult for young male actors.
Harve was an accomplished presence onstage. I will miss him very much. Sorry that I faulted him and he felt the need to respond.
EK
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7-03-2009 @ 2:16PM
Marie said...
From Rotten Luck Willie to Sam Lane, Harve just had a way of turning up where you least expected him, and blowing you away with his performance.
MK
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7-03-2009 @ 2:16PM
Sheldon said...
Mr. Presnell's four seasons and two TV-movies as the engmatic villain, Mr. Parker, in The Pretender should be mentioned as well. After all, for several million viewers, this was the only place they'd ever encountered him.
Mr. Presnell made Mr. Parker - who could have come across purely as a monster - likable and relatable, even as fans were certain he was evil.
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7-03-2009 @ 2:16PM
David Baumgarten said...
I knew Harve at the very beginning of his career as a soloist with the Roger Wagner Chorale. He sang on many of the recordings of that group. I especially remember the duet with Marliyn Horn, "He's Gone Away." He was tall and much broader. He had lost weight when he did "Unsinkable Molly Brown" on stage with Tammy Grimes. Several years ago he came back to a re-union of the Chorale. We shared memories, particluarly of the Hot Dog stand next to our rehearsal hall. He told me he had remained close to Debbie Reynolds after touring with her. I was glad for his "second" career as an actor. He never stopped singing. Faretheewell, Harve.
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7-03-2009 @ 2:15PM
Sheldon said...
Almost forgot - Mr. Presnell made in film debut in 1964, playing the role he originated onstage in The Unsinkable Molly Brown, "Leadville" Johnny Brown. [Hardly the late '60s...]
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7-03-2009 @ 8:28PM
Synonymous said...
I have of course seen Fargo, but I remember Presnell best from Andy Barker, P.I., on which he was utterly hilarious.
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7-03-2009 @ 8:23PM
Nick said...
I really remember him from "Andy Barker, P.I." aswell, where he was wonderful. So good that I felt I must have seen him somewhere before, and sure enough he'd be in a dozen or so movies, many of inwhich he'd played a small but crucial role. I think it's a compliment to his talent that he'd show up in things and you might not remember where you'd seen him before, because he was so convincing as whatever character he was playing that you thought only of that character, and not of the man portraying him. 75 is too young for a talent that was only being afforded the chance to shine in the past 15 years.
7-03-2009 @ 8:40PM
Nifty said...
I remember him best as the nefarious Dr. Parker from The Pretender.
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8-17-2009 @ 11:46AM
Beatrice VARIAS said...
He made the most beautiful album of all time in the early 60's, "The World's Greatest Love Songs". I wore out the vinyl so many times and searched old record stores to find it over and over. And then he book-ended his career with the terrific "Andy Barker, PI" role. He was an enormous talent. How I will miss that glorious voice!
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