NOT FORGOTTEN!! Born on this day on March 4, 1913 - known as John Garfield professionally and Julie to his family and friends. Here are some photos and info about his early days as an actor.
Jacob Julius Garfinkle was born in NYC’s Lower East Side on March 4, 1913. His mother, Hannah (Margolis) was of Ukrainian descent and his father, David of Russian Crimean origins.
Not sure how old he is here is this photo—the face is Julie’s but the body looks oddly painted in. Julie lost his mother Hannah at the tender age of seven in 1920.
Julie and his brother, Max born in 1918 stayed with other relatives in tough neighborhoods after Hannah died.
In the photo above, Julie is age 13, just before his new stepmother, Dinah was able to enroll him at P. S. 45 in the East Bronx. The principal was innovative educator, Angelo Patri. Arts education was advocated, and Patri championed young Julie’s dramatic abilities in this crucial developmental time.
Julie is on the right in Roosevelt High School’s production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Soon after, he applied to THE AMERICAN LABORATORY THEATER (The Lab) run by Richard Boleslavski and Maria Ouspenskaya. These two players from the Moscow Art Theatre are credited with first teaching what evolved into THE METHOD in the U. S.
Konstantin Stanislavski, cofounder of the Moscow Art Theatre, also an actor and director, developed the SYSTEM of acting. It was embraced and by The Group Theatre and very widely associated later with The Actors Studio.
Check out the book from Isaac Butler, THE METHOD, How the 20th Century Learned to Act.
Julie is shown above in the role that gave him his big break—COUNSELLOR-AT-LAW. The new Equity cardholder now uses the stage name: Jules Garfield. The lead was played by Paul Muni opening in Chicago before its New York run. Tennis anyone?
Julie playing Chick Kessler is shown above with Katherine Locke in HAVING WONDERFUL TIME.
Julie aspired to become a member of The Group, an ensemble of actors. He was rewarded with acceptance and is shown above in the production of AWAKE AND SING with Phoebe Brand.
Before Hollywood came calling and John Garfield started his film career, he made a name for himself in his Broadway appearances. Above is an early publicity photo of the handsome young stage actor housed in the digital collection of The New York Public Library.