George Murphy

Early Life

If you enjoy watching musical films, you might be familiar with the face of the American actor, George Murphy. George Murphy was an American actor and politician who gained recognition for his performances in popular musical films like Broadway Melody of 1938, Little Miss Broadway, and For Me and My Gal. Additionally, he also served as a U.S. Senator representing California from 1965 to 1971.

Murphy was born into an Irish-descended family in New Haven, Connecticut on July 14, 1902. He was the son of Michael Charles “Mike” Murphy, athletic trainer and coach, and the former Nora Long. Murphy was of Irish Catholic descent. Murphy was educated at Trinity-Pawling School, Peddie School and Yale University in his native New Haven, but he didn’t complete his degree.

Career

Murphy began his career as a song-and-dance man on Broadway, making his debut in the chorus of the musical “Good News” in 1927.

Murphy went on to perform in several Broadway shows, including “Hold Everything!”, “Of Thee I Sing”, and “Roberta”.

Murphy’s Hollywood career took a transformative turn in 1934 with his debut in “Kid Millions”. He became known for his roles in big-budget musicals such as “Broadway Melody of 1938”, “Broadway Melody of 1940”, and “For Me and My Gal”.

Murphy often starred alongside notable actors like Shirley Temple, Judy Garland, and Fred Astaire1. He retired from acting in 1952 at the age of 50

Unfortunately in the 1950s, Murphy’s film career dwindled as musicals lost their appeal.
Consequently due to these changes, he diverted his attention towards politics and became actively involved in the Republican Party.

Furthermore, he assumed the role of president in the Screen Actors Guild.
In 1964, Murphy embarked on a campaign for the U.S. Senate and triumphed over the incumbent Democrat, Pierre Salinger.

As a result, he became the first actor to be elected to a national office in the United States. Throughout his term in the Senate, Murphy advocated for civil rights, environmental protection, and supported the Vietnam War.

After concluding his political journey in 1971, Murphy returned to his home state of California.

Personal Life

Murphy was married to his ballroom dancing partner, Juliette “Julie” Henkel-Johnsonfrom 1926 to 1973, the year she died.They had two children together.

Few years later, Murphy married Bette Blandi from 1982 until his death in 1992. Sadly, he passed away in 1992 at the age of 89 after suffering from leukemia.

George Murphy’s life was marked by his contributions to both the entertainment industry and American politics, leaving a lasting legacy in both fields.

Incredibly, Murphy was among the famous people that published an autobiography about his life, career and journey. You can read his “Say… Didn’t You Used to Be George Murphy?” to learn more about him.