Dean Jagger

<p>Ira Dean Jagger was born on November 7, 1903, in Columbus Grove, Ohio. Dropping out of school at an early age, he worked on farms and in rural schools before studying acting at the Lyceum Arts Conservatory in Chicago. After years of touring with theatrical stock companies and vaudeville circuits, he made his Broadway debut in 1925 and appeared in his first feature film in 1929.</p><p>Jagger's major cinematic breakthrough came in 1940 when he was cast in the title role of Brigham Young in 20th Century Fox's big-budget western epic <em>Brigham Young</em>, earning praise from Mormon Church leaders for his dignity and historical nuance. During the 1940s, Jagger established himself as one of Hollywood's most reliable, quietly intense character actors.</p><p>In 1949, Jagger delivered his crowning performance in Henry King's World War II classic <em>Twelve O'Clock High</em>, playing Major Harvey Stovall, the philosophical adjutant of the 918th Bomb Group who frames the story through his memories at the abandoned Archbury airfield. For this moving portrayal, Jagger won the <strong>Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor</strong>. In 1954, he endeared himself to holiday audiences worldwide playing Major General Thomas F. Waverly in the beloved musical <em>White Christmas</em> alongside Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. He gave memorable turns in John Sturges' noir thriller <em>Bad Day at Black Rock</em> (1955) and Richard Brooks' <em>Elmer Gantry</em> (1960). In the 1960s, he received two Emmy nominations as high school principal Albert Vane in the hit TV drama <em>Mr. Novak</em>, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame before passing away on February 5, 1991.</p>