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'''Henry Jaynes Fonda''' (1905-82), American Actor This page is written and copyright 2008 by Will Johnson, Freelance biographer, [mailto:wjhonson@aol.com wjhonson@aol.com]. This page is not finished, and is still very rough. I'm making constant changes to it as I uncover more material. Should you have corrections, additions, deletions, chocolate eclairs, effusive praise, or vicious catty comments, please email me. http://www.afi.com/Images/tvevents/laa/archive/gal_Fonda_Henry_2.jpg A very young Henry Fonda (Credit afi.com) ==Henry Jaynes Fonda== ===Early life (1905-1926)=== [[#William Brace Fonda|William Brace Fonda]], Henry's father was enumerated in the Federal Census in 1900 living, as a single man, in Omaha, Douglas County, [[Nebraska]] with his own parents, and listed there as a salesman. On 10 Jun 1903, William Fonda married Herberta Jaynes, probably in or near Omaha, Nebraska. Moving to Grand Island, Hall County, [[Nebraska]], they rented a house from Grand Island banker George Bell in 1904 and it was in that house that their eldest child Henry Fonda was born 16 May 1905. They only lived there for six more months. The house, marked as Henry Fonda's birthplace, was in 1966 relocated after Henry paid to have it moved from downtown, ten miles to the location at the Stuhr Museum (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=114970741&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=3 here]). By 1910 the family had moved back to Omaha, where they are enumerated in the Federal Census that year. Many years later, a newspaper article in which Henry talks about his father states "when he was six months old the family moved to Omaha". It's not a direct quote from Henry however, so it's unclear what the source is for this fact. Some biographers have given the impression that William moved to Omaha and opened a print shop; however, William's occupation in 1910 as "Salesman, Advertising Jobber". In addition, the enumeration states specifically that he was an employee, not working on his own account. In 1920 still in Omaha, William Fonda is now a "Proprietor, Commercial Print Shop" Henry graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1923. A much later newspaper mention of him [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=4564143¤tResult=3&src=search&firstvisit=true here] states that he went to the University of Minnesota and got a degree, his thesis being on communication systems. Another source states that he had been studying journalism but dropped out after about two years. A much later newspaper article ([http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=80955793&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=0 "The Fondas", by Richard L Coe, Jan 1972]) states that he "...thought of himself as a future newspaperman. Hank went to the University of Minnesota as a journalism major, but dropped out from exhaustion from jobs he took to pay his way through school." Dorothy Brando, was an amateur actress and the co-founder of the Omaha Community Playhouse. She was also the mother of [[Marlon Brando]] and a friend to Henry Fonda's mother. She first got Henry Fonda interested in acting, his first role being Ricky in 1925 in the play ''You and I'' at that playhouse. His first starring role was also there, as Merton in ''Merton of the Movies'' in 1926 or 1927. Richard Coe goes on to state that Henry once starred opposite Dorothy Brando in O'Neills ''Beyond the Horizon''. The first newspaper mention of Henry Fonda I find is Feb 1926, when he appeared at "The Strand" playing the role of Major John Hay, secretary to Abraham Lincoln, who was played by George Billings. I here correct Biography.com which incorrectly states that this occurred in 1927. Answers.com [http://www.answers.com/topic/henry-fonda here] states that Billings and Fonda toured for three months, after which, he returning to Omaha, became "assistant director at the Omaha Community Playhouse." "Dad had a $30-a-week job as a clerk at the Retail Credit Company in Omaha, but [[Marlon Brando]]'s mother a friend of my grandmother's, got him involved in the Omaha Community Playhouse, where dad was offered the part of Merton in the play ''Merton of the Movies''." (''My Life'', page 34) I think Jane here is rushing through the early chronology, and just focuses in on Merton because Merton was Henry's first '''starring''' role, and so stands out. The story of the play ''Merton of the Movies'' is that Merton is a terrible actor. When film producers see how funny his over-acting is, they put him in a comedy but tell him it's a drama. ===1928-1929=== In his early twenties, "...he hitched a ride to Cape Cod with a family friend and soon hooked up with the University Players, a summer stock repertory company in Falmouth, Massachusetts." (''My Life'', p. 35) Rather then just the overly vague "his early twenties" we can pinpoint this exactly to 1928, but no earlier or later, so he was 23. "When [[Margaret Sullavan]] was invited to join the University Players the following summer in Falmouth, she stole his shy Nebraska heart. Their romance bloomed until Sullavan went off to star in a Broadway play." (''My Story'', p. 36). Margaret's Wikipedia biography [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Sullavan here] states that both Henry and she were in the 1929 "undergraduate musical" ''Close Up''. Since this was presumably while school was in session, it must have been in the Spring of that year. It doesn't seem likely that Henry was performing as a member of the college, so perhaps this play had outside actors as well. Margaret was then invited to join the University Players. It is also possible that the Wikipedia entry is confused and that Fonda was not in that play, but only met Margaret, as his daughter Jane states, when she joined the summer stock a few months later. In a 31 May 1931 ''New York Times'' article, this part of Margaret Sullavan's life is summed up by this quote:<blockquote>"...[she went] to the Copley Theatre School in Boston. A year later, when she came home as the feminine lead in a road company of ''Strictly Dishonorable''....[there came] an evening at Princeton where she replace Margaret Perry as the visiting artiste in a collegiate production of ''Three Artists and a Lady''. [Seeing her here] Mr [Elmer] Harris ventured an offer to Miss Sullavan to appear in her first New York show."</blockquote> "She appeared as Goldina opposite Fonda in the first production of their second summer stock season in 1929, ''The Devil in the Cheese'', her debut on the professional stage." (Wikipedia, "Margaret Sullavan") <table><tr><td>http://www.afi.com/Images/tvevents/laa/archive/gal_Fonda_Henry_2.jpg<br> A very young Henry Fonda (Credit afi.com)</td><td> Henry Fonda made his Broadway debut as a walk‐on in 1929's ''The Game of Love and Death''. The entry for [http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=40805 "Henry Fonda"] in the Internet Broadway database states that this play ran from Nov 1929 to Jan 1930 and that he next appeared on Broadway Oct 1932. I would note of course that the Internet Broadway database is run by a bunch of maroons who want you to snail-mail or fax them corrections! How last decade! ===1930=== Henry, like many aspiring actors and singers, worked part-time, during this time, as a male model for artists. In Apr 1930 a book was published listing some of these model's with their measurements and his name was mentioned there. And right now, a dozen art historians are scrambling through dusty paintings and water-stained photographs to find a naked 25-year-old Henry Fonda.... </td></tr></table> In Apr 1930, he is enumerated, living in the household of his parents back in Omaha as an unemployed actor, and single. Was he really going back and forth? Out to Massachusetts or New York when someone called, then back home so he didn't starve? If so, he wouldn't be the first actor to start his career in this way. Arrrrrrghhhh! I hate it when this happens. [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=22968994¤tResult=1&src=search Here] on NewspaperArchive.com we see a page from the ''Syracuse Herald'' (Syracuse, New York), and newspaper archive has it indexed at 9 Jul 1930, page 31. This is '''one''' of the pages I was using as evidence that Henry and Margaret had married earlier than reported. OK. Now, the first thing I notice is that the image of this page actually says "Page Sixteen", not page 31. The date on the page is blurred '''just enough''' that it could be 1930 or 1936. I'm starting to get a bad feeling here. Slowly flipping back I notice something odd. Every page, even-numbered in the index appears to say "1930", but every page odd-numbered in the index appears to say "1936"! Gah! Smacks forehead, NewspaperArchive has merged two different sets of pages into one run! '''So''' apparently this announcement of a new film ''Reno in the Fall'' co-starring Henry Fonda opposite Margaret Sullavan, and calling him her "ex-husband" is supposed to be dated 9 Jul 1936. '''So much''' for my great new revelation. Henry played the Prince in ''Cinderella'' in Nov 1930 opposite Suzanne Pollard (stage name "Shirley Horton"), daughter of the Governor of Virginia (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=50005553¤tResult=3&src=search&firstvisit=true here]). <table><tr><td> ===1931-1933=== Margaret Sullavan appeared at the Booth Theatre beginning 20 May 1931 in the title role in ''A Modern Virgin''. On 17 Jul 1931 a ''New York Times'' article states that she "will appear" next week in the leading role of Coquette "in a production by the University Players of West Falmouth, Massachusetts". But shortly afterward on 29 Jul 1931 they were announcing that ''A Modern Virgin'' would now tour to Brighton Beach, Asbury Park, and then Chicago on 17 Aug. On 29 Oct it was announced that in the week of 9 Nov she would appear at the Booth Theater, in a play called ''If Love Were All''. The Wikipedia biography of Jimmy Stewart [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Stewart_(actor) here] citing Houghton (1951) and also Eliot (2006) states that Henry Fonda and Margaret Sullavan married on Christmas Day 1931, but by the following Summer of 1932 their marriage had ended. Her Wikipedia biography states that they married in Baltimore, Maryland. I've now found a contemporary newspaper announcement that they did marry on Christmas Day, 1931, but the place is not specified. "After a year and a half of courting her, he proposed and they married. They lived in Greenwich Village, New York City, but the marriage only lasted about four months." (so says his daughter Jane)</td><td>http://movie_pal.tripod.com/fonda.jpg</td></tr></table> On 14 Mar 1932, the ''New York Times'' states that Margaret Sullavan "has been engaged" as a member of the cast of ''Happy Landing'' which will open 28 Mar. On 4 Mar the ''New York Times'' states that Margaret Sullavan "who recently closed" in ''Happy Landing'' has been engaged for the leading role in ''Coast-to-Coast'' at Broad Street Theatre, Newark. On 24 May 1932 the NYT announced that ''The Boy Friend'' was set to open 6 Jun on Broadway and the cast was to include Margaret Sullavan. Jane Fonda states that just after Henry and Margaret separated, Margaret had taken up with producer Jed Harris. "Dad would stand outside her window, knowing Harris was inside with her."<blockquote>"That just destroyed me," he said a lifetime later to Howard Teichmann. "Never in my life have I felt so betrayed, so rejected, so alone."</blockquote> Could "Jed Harris" and Elmer Harris be the same person? It was reportedly in this Summer of 1932 that Henry met and was the roommate of fellow-actor [[Jimmy Stewart]], at the Madison Square Hotel "while both worked on Broadway" (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=114970741&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=3 here]). Some sources state that Stewart was also a member of the University Players, starting that Summer. Whether or not Stewart worked on Broadway at that time, needs more research. Meanwhile, Henry's future wife, socialite Frances (Seymour) Brokaw who had married George Brokaw Jan 1931 was "...living in splendor as Mrs Brokaw, in a mansion with a moat on Fifth Avenue..." (''My Life'', p 36). In Sep 1932 he played the part of Inspector Enderby in ''Michael and Mary'' (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=55696065¤tResult=5&src=search&firstvisit=true here]), which must have had a short run as the following month he was appearing on Broadway in ''I Love You Wednesday'' which opened 11 Oct 1932. He then had a role in the 1933 Broadway play ''Forsaking All Others''. A Dec 1933 article in the ''New York Times'' mentions that he is rehearsing in the play ''Love Story''. ===1934=== Henry Fonda co-starred with [[Imogene Coca]] in ''New Faces of 1934'' which opened March 1934. This was the first of [[Leonard Sillman]]'s annual revues, each called ''New Faces''. See the mention [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=38771701¤tResult=2&src=search&firstvisit=true here]. Note the interesting tidbit, that one of the potential backers who came to watch the auditions was none other than [[Libby Holmon]] later to be well-known in regards to her relationship with [[Montgomery Clift]]. Libby you will recall was the torch-singer who married a wealthy man who died such an interesting death that Libby went on trial for it. Henry had evidently pulled himself together enough by 1934 that he was able to be in a play with Margaret. The New York Times reporting that Henry Fonda "will appear" opposite Margaret Sullavan in the play ''Coquette'' at the Westchester Playhouse in Mount Kisco, New York for the week 2 Jul 1934. (NYT, 15 Jun 1934). Because of this, his multiple roles in ''New Faces'', still then running, were distributed among four other actors. (NYT, 22 Jun 1934). You will notice that Margaret's role here was a reprisal of her role back in 1931 for the University Players. At this time "Leland Hayward, who was on the brink of becoming the top talent agent in the country, signed him up and convinced a reluctant Fonda to go to Hollywood for $1,000 a week." (''My Life'', p 37). On 14 Aug 1934, a columnist is reporting that Henry was then on the Universal lot and had "signed with Walter Wagner [sic], to play an important part in ''The President Vanishes''" (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=45596791¤tResult=7&src=search&firstvisit=true here]). And [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=40782721&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=0 on 2 Sep 1934], another column states that he signed with Walter Wagner [sic] to "make two pictures a year starting with the summer months of 1935." But note that "Henry Fonda, Broadway actor who will be seen this season [Winter of 1934 ?] in 'Rome Haul'" (erroneously called Rome "Hall"), which probably means he was still then in New York. Evidently this title was the title of the book by Walter Edmonds, and the play was re-named ''The Farmer Takes a Wife'' (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=49072003¤tResult=21&src=search&firstvisit=true here]). The play appeared on Broadway, and tells the story of Molly Harkins, a pretty girl who works as a cook on a boat, moving from town to town. She meets Dan Harrow, a rough, simple man who wants to settle down as a farmer. He has to convince her to marry him and farm. Henry Fonda plays the man, and June Walker the woman (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=23032494¤tResult=22&src=search&firstvisit=true here]). Noel Thornton was a bit psychic when he stated,<blockquote>"Indeed young Fonda is so good in the early part of the show that he undoubtedly will be transferred to the movie colony in jig time to become the newest of the leading men for Norma Shearer, Constance Bennett or Miriam Hopkins."</blockquote> Margaret Sullavan evidently caused a bit of a stir in some corners. Henry received one fan letter with a courteously enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope but with a presumptuous request:<blockquote>Dear Mr Fonda: I am one of Miss Sullivan's [sic] most ardent worshippers, in fact, I'm in love with her. I see by the papers that you are her former husband. Will you introduce me when you arrive to Hollywood? Or, better still, write me a letter of introduction to her?" ([http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=10119914&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=4 ''Mansfield News Journal'' (Mansfield, Ohio), 5 Nov 1934, pg 6])</blockquote> Margaret Sullavan and Jed Harris didn't marry, even though the gossip was they might, her next marriage was to director William Wyler. He was directing her in her current film and there was '''no gossip''' that they were even romantically linked. So the marriage was a complete surprise, they "eloped" to Yuma, Arizona to get married. In the Nov 1934 article mentioning that Margaret had just re-married, they state that Fonda and she had divorced "two years ago". ===1935=== In Jul 1935, the New York Times is reporting that Henry Fonda is under contact with "Walter Wanger, Paramount producer" and working at the Fox studios in a new version of ''Way Down East''. Also in 1935, Henry Fonda worked in ''The Trail of the Lonesome Pine'' with Sylvia Sidney and Fred MacMurray, but the film didn't open until Feb 1936. In Oct 1935 it was announced [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=48805611&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=8 here] that he had been engaged for two months to 21-year-old singer and star of ''Anything Goes'' Shirley Ross and "wedding plans are being made." ===1936=== Margaret Sullavan, "whose marriage headed to the divorce court today" (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=48805611&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=8 here] where "today" is 27 Feb 1936). By Mar 1936 she had obtained a "mail-order divorce" from Chihuahua, Mexico (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=6494756&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=7]). A newspaper report at that time, stated that speculation that she and Henry Fonda might re-marry led her, when asked, only to say "maybe". A follow-up piece stated that this report was very upsetting to her, that she had never said any such thing (see [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=37004376&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=13]). Louella Parsons was reporting on 24 May 1936 [http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=37005202&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=3 here] that "Chatter in Hollywood" was the Henry Fonda and Margaret Sullavan would remarry as soon as her divorce from William Wyler was finalized. (So evidently that Chihuahua divorce wasn't true.) She there states that 'Henry has said again and again that any time she wants to say "Yes" will suit him.' So if Louella is accurate, it certainly would appear that Henry was carrying a torch for Margaret. "Henry Fonda sailed for England last night on the Normandie to appear with Annabella, the French actress, in ''Wings of the Morning'', which New World will make in Technicolor for release by Twentieth Century-Fox." ([http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=196&did=88674105&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=7&retrieveGroup=0&VType=PQD&VInst=PROD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218580871&clientId=54310 ''New York Times'', 18 Jun 1936]). On 15 Jul 1936 [http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=199&did=87962669&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=7&retrieveGroup=0&VType=PQD&VInst=PROD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218581506&clientId=54310 an article in the New York Times] is stating that Henry is then on the set in Denham, England (near London), Alexander Korda's London Film Company, he being one of the directors for United Artists. In an article dated 7 Jul 1936 Walter Wanger was announcing that "next June" he hoped to start production on his first Italian picture, probably with Henry Fonda (NYT, 7 Jul 1936). It is not clear whether this "probably with Henry Fonda" is a direct quote from Wanger, or the opinion of the columnist. Henry met his next wife Frances Seymour in London in Jun/Jul 1936 where she was vacationing from New York, and while she was visiting the set of ''Wings of the Morning'', in which he was starring. On [http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=214&did=88689550&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218582714&clientId=54310 24 Aug 1936 the ''New York Times''] is reporting the engagement of "Mrs Frances Seymour Brokaw of 646 Park Avenue... to Henry Fonda noted screen star. Mrs Brokaw is now in Paris. She has been traveling with Miss Fay Devereux Keith, of this city, who is engaged to Mrs. Brokaw's brother Ford de Villers Seymour. Mrs Brokaw and Mr Fonda met for the first time in London this June. They became engaged in Germany...." A glamourous picture of Frances appears on the next day [http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=215&did=87983707&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218583435&clientId=54310 here]. On his return from London in Sep 1936 to New York, he lists his address as "233 North Carmetina, West Los Angeles", he also on this slip lists his birthplace as "Grand Island, Nebraska". Soon after their return to New York, they were married. Frances was a wealthy widow with a young daughter Frances "Pan" Brokaw from her prior marriage to George Tuttle Brokaw (see [http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=218&did=88694858&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=7&retrieveGroup=0&VType=PQD&VInst=PROD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218583638&clientId=54310 here]), a retired lawyer and sportsman, many years her senior, who had died in May 1935. Frances' family on both sides came from some sort of high-society as her engagement announcement makes clear. Henry was to spend a few days in New York, and on [http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=219&did=87989590&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=7&retrieveGroup=0&VType=PQD&VInst=PROD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218583654&clientId=54310 9 Sep 1936 the ''New York Times''] is reporting that Walter P. Chrysler Jr (the founder of Chrysler Corporation) gave a reception for the engaged-couple at the Waldorf-Astoria. The article mentions the names of about 40 people who were present. The next day, the New York Times is reporting that they obtained a marriage license at the Municipal Building (New York City) and that they would be married within a few days. A long article about his travel in Europe is [http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=222&did=85420860&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=7&retrieveGroup=0&VType=PQD&VInst=PROD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218584075&clientId=54310 here]. They were to be married, per [http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=225&did=88696250&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=7&retrieveGroup=0&VType=PQD&VInst=PROD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218584362&clientId=54310 this article] on the 16 Sep 1936 in Christ Church, at Park Avenue and Sixtieth, New York City. Then the marriage took place and was announced yet again! (See [http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=226&did=93529126&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=7&retrieveGroup=0&VType=PQD&VInst=PROD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218584385&clientId=54310 here]). Her sister Miss Marjory Capell Seymour was her maid-of-honor, and Joshua Logan was the best man. The ushers were Leland Hayward and H. Roger Seymour, another brother of the bride. "They will make their home in Beverly Hills." This article is where we learn that her first husband George Brokaw died in May 1935. Unlike a few other cases such as [[Elizabeth Montgomery]] and her father [[Elizabeth Montgomery#Robert Montgomery|Robert Montgomery]], the marriage of "the former Mrs Frances Ford Seymour Brokaw to Henry Fonda, the movie actor" did not cause her to be expelled from the ''Social Register''. She still appeared in the relevant issue, with the marriage recorded under her name. (See [http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=240&did=88085649&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218584775&clientId=54310 here]). ===1937=== In late 1936, or early 1937, Margaret Sullavan married her last husband, Fonda's agent Leland Hayward and "lived just down the street" in California, this according to the autobiography of daughter Jane Fonda. Jane goes on to state, that at a later time, after the Fonda's had moved to Connecticut, the Haywards also moved to that same area and the children were all friends with each other. This would have been perhaps in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Margaret Sullavan eventually committed suicide in the 1960's. Her daughter Brooke Hayward (b 1937) wrote a book ''Haywire'' about her parents Margaret and Leland Hayward. Henry Fonda and Frances Seymour were the parents of actors [[Jane Fonda]] (b. 21 Dec 1937) and [[Peter Fonda]]. Even though the family was living in California, Frances decided to fly to New York to have each of her children Jane and later Peter. So Jane was born in New York City while Henry was filming ''Jezebel'' with [[Bette Davis]]. William Wyler, the director of Jezebel, was none other than the next husband of Henry's ex-wife Margaret Sullavan. William and Margaret had married at the end of 1934, but by this film were already divorced. Henry had had it written into his contract that if his wife gave birth while they were shooting ''Jezebel'', he could fly back to New York to be with them. Jane comments in her biography, how her father stated that he took dozens of pictures while there at the hospital, and that she has them. She wistfully comments that in none of these pictures is there one of her mother holding her. Henry in 1937 returned again to the stage for a brief run in ''Blow Ye Winds''. The next year 1938, saw Henry's appearence in ''Spawn of the North'' starring George Raft and Dorothy Lamour. You will of course remember George Raft because of the role he played in the relationship between [[Lucille Ball]] and Desi Arnaz. In 1939 Henry "had a leading role" in ''The Story of Alexander Graham Bell'' also starring Don Ameche and Loretta Young. In newspaper articles, at this time, is where we find the appropos mention that Henry had written a thesis on communication systems while he was in college. ===Middle Career=== <table><tr><td>http://movie_pal.tripod.com/fondagrapes2.jpg</td><td> Henry Fonda played the title role in 1939's ''Young Mr. Lincoln''. In 1940 Henry received his first Oscar nomination playing in arguably his best-known role, as Tom Joad in the 1940 film ''The Grapes of Wrath'' based on the novel by Steinbeck. To get this role, he had agreed to a seven-year contract which compelled him to play in the romantic-comedy ''The Lady Eve'' in 1941 with [[Barbara Stanwyck]]. In 1942 he was in ''The Male Animal'', and also that year co-starred opposite [[Lucille Ball]] in ''The Big Street''. Lucy's direction was "play the bitchiest bitch who ever was." It's so different from her remembered character that you're forced to watch. It's this Lucy that makes this a movie-to-see, even though it's not her best work and it's a bit off-kilter. Henry plays a man deeply in love with her, who she doesn't notice, thinking him beneath her station, even though he comes to her rescue several times. Also as one of the supporting cast in this movie was [[Agnes Moorehead]]. </td></tr></table> During WWII Henry Fonda served in the Navy, even though he was exempt. For this he received a Bronze Star. In 1946 he played Wyatt Earp in ''My Darling Clementine''. In 1948 Henry returned to Broadway starring in ''Mister Roberts'' for it's multi-year run. He would reprise his role seven years later in the film version. Jane states that Henry was a man of dark moods and that they "...lived in constant awareness of the minefield we had to tread so as not to trigger his rage." (''My Life'', p 35). On 14 Oct 1950 his then-wife Frances Seymour killed herself by slitting her throat while in a mental hospital. Three months later, in Dec 1950, Henry married the much-younger Susan Blanchard, and went on their honeymoon to the Caribbean, returning Jan 1951. Henry and Susan adopted a baby named Amy. Henry and Susan divorced in 1956. Peter refers to Susan, in his book as "Mom2". <table><tr><td>On stage Henry played businessman Charles Gray in 1951's ''Point of No Return''. He was the prosecuting attorney Lt. Greenwald in 1954's ''The Caine Mutiny Court‐Martial''. In 1955 he returned to film starring in that year's ''Mister Roberts'' with [[Jack Lemmon]]. In 1957 he was in ''12 Angry Men''. Fonda married his fourth wife, "Countess" Afdera Franchetti, on 10 Mar 1957. They divorced in 1962. Peter states that although Afdera liked to style herself "Countess" because her father was a Count, that the title given to her father was given to him alone, for his life, and not an inheritable one. He was again on-stage as lawyer Jerry Ryan in 1958's ''Two for the Seesaw''. He played John, in 1959 in ''Silent Night, Lonely Night''. And he was drama critic Parker Ballantine in 1960's ''Critic's Choice''. Fonda married for the fifth and final time to model and stewardess Shirlee Adams, in 1965, and that same year played on-stage the conservative executive Jim Bolton in ''Generation''.</td> <td>http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/d/d0/250px-Fonda.henry.12am.JPG<br>Henry Fonda in 1957's ''12 Angry Men''<br>(Credit Answers.com)</td></tr></table> ===Later Career=== <table><tr><td>http://www.henry-fonda.com/henry-bio.jpg<br>Henry Fonda<br>probably in his 60s<br>(Credit Henry-Fonda.com)</td><td> Henry Fonda worked again with [[Lucille Ball]] in 1968's film ''Yours, Mine and Ours''. Again he returned to the stage for the 1974 one-man show ''Clarence Darrow''. But shortly after played Adm. Chester Nimitz in the 1976 film ''Midway''. In 1978 he appeared as liberal Supreme Court Justice Daniel Snow in ''First Monday in October''. His first Best Actor Oscar did not come until 1981 for ''On Golden Pond'' co-starring [[Katherine Hepburn]] as his wife, and his real-life daughter [[Jane Fonda]] playing his movie daughter. Henry Fonda died of heart failure 12 Aug 1982 in [[Los Angeles County, California]].</td></tr></table> ===Primary documents for 1=== *[http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=view&dbid=50003&iid=NEWS-OH-NE_JO.1975_06_15_0083&r=an&rc=1923,1967,2155,2017;2188,1967,2254,2017;2288,1967,2487,2017&fn=&ln=Record+William+B+Fonda&st=d&ssrc=&pid=511392851 "Henry Fonda on William B Fonda"], 15 Jun 1975, ''News Journal'' (Mansfield, Ohio) : "The elder Fonda born in the mid-1880s, died in 1935. In 1905, when Henry was six months old, William and his wife Herberta moved from Grand Island, Neb., to Omaha, Neb., and set up a printshop *[http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=0&gsfn=&gsln=Fonda&sx=&f7=&f9=&f10=&f18__n=&f20=nebraska&rg_81004011__date=&rs_81004011__date=0&f23=&f17=&f16=&rg_f19__date=&rs_f19__date=0&_8000C002=&f21=&_80008002=&f22=&_80018002=&gskw=&prox=1&db=1910uscenindex&ti=0&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&fh=11&recid=44813824&recoff=3+18+19 1910 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] : "William B Fonda, head, MW, 31, married first time, 6 years ago, b NE/NY/NY, employee, rents home; Herberta J, wife, FW, 30, married first time, 6 years ago, b WI/WI/NY; Henry J, son, MW, 4, b NE; Harriet M, daughter, FW, 3, b NE; Herberta, daughter, FW, 6/12, b NE; Minnie STOUT, servant, FW, 22, single, b IA" *[http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=0&gsfn=&gsln=Fonda&sx=&f8=&f9=&f10=&f20=Nebraska&rg_fa5__date=&rs_fa5__date=0&f16__n=&rg_f19__date=&rs_f19__date=0&f18=&fa20=&f21=&fa18=&f22=&fa14=&gskw=&prox=1&db=1920usfedcen&ti=0&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&fh=17&recid=51390463&recoff=3+18+19 1920 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] *[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=93266224&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=9 ''Waterloo Evening Courier'', 24 Feb 1926], page 13, "Lincoln of Stage Sinks All of Self in Soul He Plays" *[http://content.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=6224&path=Nebraska.Douglas.Omaha.114.28&fn=Henry%20J&ln=Fonda&st=r&pid=106894000&rc=&zp=75 1930 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] 9 Apr 1930 "William B Fonda, head, owns home, worth $7000, married, white, age 51, married first at 24, NE/NY/NY, Sales Department, Oil Burner Company; Herberta J, wife, female, white, age 49, married first at 22, WI/WI/NY, no occupation; Henry J, son, male, white, age 24, single, NE/NE/WI, actor, stage, unemployed (see line 9 Unemployment Schedule); Jane, daughter, female, white, age 20, single, NE/NE/WI, stenographer, election commission" *[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=44759880&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=6 ''Fresno Bee'' (Fresno, California), 25 Apr 1930, pg 36], referring to a book of artists models and including the name of Henry Fonda *[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=22968994¤tResult=1&src=search ''Syracuse Herald'' (Syracuse, NY), 9 Jul 1930, pg 31] : "Syracuse's Ralph Murphy will direct 'Reno in the Fall' for Universal; Margaret Sullavan and her ex-husband Henry Fonda, will be co-starred" *[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=24285833&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=23 ''The Port Arthur News'' (Port Arthur, Texas), 22 Jan 1932], "Margaret Sullavan (a's not i's Mr. Printer), whose performance here left the reviewers in a pashy mood was welded on Xmas day to Henry Fonder [sic] of the University players, Baltimore." *[http://content.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=7488&path=1934.06.04.Carinthia.13&fn=Margaret&ln=Sullavan&st=r&pid=2017186583&rc=&zp=75 4 Jun 1934], top secret evidence *[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=10119914&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=4 ''Mansfield News Journal'' (Mansfield, Ohio), 5 Nov 1934, pg 6] *[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=5916740¤tResult=1&src=search&firstvisit=true ''Oshkosh Daily Northwestern'', 26 Nov 1934, pg 13], "Hollywood Roundup", United Press, that Margaret Sullivan [sic] and Willam Wyler were married at Yuma, Arizona "yesterday", Miss Sullivan gave her age as 25, and Wyler as 32 *[http://scplweb.santacruzpl.org:2249/pqdweb?index=214&did=88689550&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=10&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=HNP&TS=1218582714&clientId=54310 ''New York Times'', 24 Aug 1936, page 12], "Mrs G T Brokaw, Fiancee of Actor" *[http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7488&iid=NYT715_5860-0051&fn=Henry&ln=Fonda&st=r&ssrc=&pid=21298558 4 Sep 1936] *''California Voter Registration, 1900-1968'' **[http://content.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=1249&path=Los+Angeles+County.1936.Roll+39.ALL.865&fn=henry&ln=Fonda&st=g&pid=1280002559&rc=1013,801,1061,815;1075,801,1125,818&zp=50 1936 Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, Precinct 1674], Henry J Fonda, 233 N Carmelita av, Actor, DS (political party "Declined to State") **[http://content.ancestry.com/browse/view.aspx?dbid=1249&iid=losangelescounty_50-0947&rc=942,1403,992,1417;1007,1403,1058,1419&pid=1928032398&ssrc=&fn=henry&ln=Fonda&st=g 1940 Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, Precinct 1680], "Henry Fonda, 255 Chadbourne av, actor, DS; Mrs Frances Seymour Fonda, 255 Chadbourne av, housewife, DS" **[http://content.ancestry.com/browse/view.aspx?dbid=1249&iid=losangelescounty_56-0981&rc=955,1427,1005,1440;1022,1427,1073,1443&pid=2284291518&ssrc=&fn=Henry&ln=Fonda&st=g 1942 Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, Precinct 1673A] "Henry Fonda, 255 Chadbourne av, actor, DS; Mrs Frances Seymour Fonda, 255 Chadbourne av, housewife, DS" **[http://content.ancestry.com/browse/view.aspx?dbid=1249&iid=losangelescounty_68-0533&rc=612,959,662,973;680,959,731,975&pid=3136010353&ssrc=&fn=Henry&ln=Fonda&st=g 1946 Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, Precinct 1872] "Henry J Fonda, 600 Tigertail rd, Democrat; Mrs Frances S Fonda, 600 Tigertail rd, Democrat" **[http://content.ancestry.com/browse/view.aspx?dbid=1249&iid=losangelescounty_74-0541&rc=678,796,728,810;747,796,798,812&pid=3565933057&ssrc=&fn=Henry&ln=Fonda&st=g 1948 Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, Precinct 1872] "Henry J Fonda, 600 Tigertail rd, Democrat; Mrs Frances S Fonda, 600 Tigertail rd, Democrat" **[http://content.ancestry.com/browse/view.aspx?dbid=1249&iid=losangelescounty_81-0403&rc=666,656,716,669;732,656,783,672&pid=4033342930&ssrc=&fn=Henry&ln=Fonda&st=g 1950 Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, Precinct 1873A] "Henry J Fonda, 600 Tigertail av, Democrat; Mrs Frances S Fonda, 600 Tigertail av, Democrat" *[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=114970741&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=3 Obit of Henry Fonda] *''Jane Fonda : My Life So Far'', by Jane Fonda. Random House, New York. 2006. ISBN 0812975766 *''Don't Tell Dad : A Memoir'', by Peter Fonda. Hyperion, New York. 1998. ISBN 0786861118 ===Secondary sources for 1=== *[http://www.answers.com/topic/henry-fonda "Henry Fonda"] on Answers.com citing: **''Who2'', written and edited by R.F. Holznagel and Paul Hehn, Who2, LLC, http://www.who2.com/henryfonda.html **American Theatre Guide, All Movie Guide, Brittanica, Wikipedia, et. al. *[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/212404/Henry-Fonda "Henry Fonda"] at Brittanica Online Encyclopedia stating that he was born at "Grand Island, Nebraska" ===See Also=== *[[Connections:Alice Ghostley to Montgomery Clift|"Alice Ghostley to Montgomery Clift"]] ===Further reading=== *''Fonda: My Story'', by Henry Fonda with Howard Teichman, 1981 *''Henry Fonda: His Life and Work'', by Norm Goldstein, 1982 *''The Fondas'', Gerald Cole and Wes Farrell, (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1984). ==William Brace Fonda== William Brace Fonda was born abt 1879 in Nebraska to Ten Eyck Fonda and his wife Harriet, who had moved there from their native New York. In 1900 he was enumerated living with his parents in Omaha City, as a Salesman. He married Herberta Jaynes between 1900 and 1910, probably somewhere in Nebraska. Although most biographies will state that their son Henry Fonda was born in "Grand Island", in 1910 the family is living in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. Perhaps Grand Island is from where Herberta was. Herberta (Jaynes) Fonda died in 1934 "at her home in Omaha", and William Fonda died about 1935, probably in Omaha. ===Primary documents for 2=== *[http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7602&iid=NET623_925-0369&fn=Ten+Eycr+h&ln=Fonda&st=r&ssrc=&pid=32703986 1900 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] *[http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=0&gsfn=&gsln=Fonda&sx=&f7=&f9=&f10=&f18__n=&f20=nebraska&rg_81004011__date=&rs_81004011__date=0&f23=&f17=&f16=&rg_f19__date=&rs_f19__date=0&_8000C002=&f21=&_80008002=&f22=&_80018002=&gskw=&prox=1&db=1910uscenindex&ti=0&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&fh=11&recid=44813824&recoff=3+18+19 1910 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] *[http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=0&gsfn=&gsln=Fonda&sx=&f8=&f9=&f10=&f20=Nebraska&rg_fa5__date=&rs_fa5__date=0&f16__n=&rg_f19__date=&rs_f19__date=0&f18=&fa20=&f21=&fa18=&f22=&fa14=&gskw=&prox=1&db=1920usfedcen&ti=0&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&fh=17&recid=51390463&recoff=3+18+19 1920 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] *[http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=view&dbid=50003&iid=NEWS-OH-NE_JO.1975_06_15_0083&r=an&rc=1923,1967,2155,2017;2188,1967,2254,2017;2288,1967,2487,2017&fn=&ln=Record+William+B+Fonda&st=d&ssrc=&pid=511392851 "Henry Fonda on William B Fonda"], 15 Jun 1975, ''News Journal'' (Mansfield, Ohio) : "The elder Fonda born in the mid-1880s, died in 1935. In 1905, when Henry was six months old, William and his wife Herberta moved from Grand Island, Neb., to Omaha, Neb., and set up a printshop ==Herberta Jaynes== Herberta Jaynes was born 26 Jun 1879 in Wisconsin, but by 1898 the family had moved to Omaha, Nebraska. She married William Brace Fonda on 10 Jun 1903 probably in or near Omaha. The family lived briefly in Grand Island, but by 1910 they are back living in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. Herberta (Jaynes) Fonda died in 5 Oct 1934, at her home in Omaha. ===Primary documents for 3=== *[http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=view&dbid=8099&iid=NEWS-NE-TH_NE_ST_JO.1898_12_25_0010&r=an&rc=1292,2854,1419,2883;1435,2854,1546,2883&fn=herberta&ln=jaynes&st=d&ssrc=&pid=471229450 "Social and Personal"], Dec 25, 1898, ''The Nebraska State Journal'' (Lincoln, Nebraska) :"Miss Alice Fuller will spend this week in Omaha as the guest of Miss Herberta Jaynes." - transcription courtesy of Will Johnson, wjhonson@aol.com, Professional Genealogist, from the original image on Ancestry *[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=36618544&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=1 ''The Lincoln Evening News'', 18 Aug 1900], "Miss Herberta Jaynes receives scholarship" *[http://www.newspaperarchive.com/PdfViewerTags.aspx?img=35527638&firstvisit=true&src=search¤tResult=3 9 Jun 1903] *[http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=0&gsfn=&gsln=Fonda&sx=&f7=&f9=&f10=&f18__n=&f20=nebraska&rg_81004011__date=&rs_81004011__date=0&f23=&f17=&f16=&rg_f19__date=&rs_f19__date=0&_8000C002=&f21=&_80008002=&f22=&_80018002=&gskw=&prox=1&db=1910uscenindex&ti=0&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&fh=11&recid=44813824&recoff=3+18+19 1910 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] *[http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=0&gsfn=&gsln=Fonda&sx=&f8=&f9=&f10=&f20=Nebraska&rg_fa5__date=&rs_fa5__date=0&f16__n=&rg_f19__date=&rs_f19__date=0&f18=&fa20=&f21=&fa18=&f22=&fa14=&gskw=&prox=1&db=1920usfedcen&ti=0&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&fh=17&recid=51390463&recoff=3+18+19 1920 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] *[http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=view&dbid=8098&iid=NEWS-NE-TH_LI_ST.1934_10_08_0004&r=an&rc=1325,4817,1555,4867;1584,4817,1756,4867&fn=herberta&ln=jaynes&st=d&ssrc=&pid=490020868 Obit, "Herberta Jaynes Fonda"], 8 Oct 1934, ''The Lincoln Star'' (Lincoln, Nebraska) :<blockquote>Services at Omaha for Herberta Jaynes Fonda — Funeral services for Mrs. Herberta Jaynes Fonda were held in Omaha Monday afternoon. Mrs. Fonda was a schoolmate of Mrs. E.C. Hardy at the University of Nebraska. She was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. Mrs. Fonda died Oct. 5 at her home in Omaha. She was 55 years old. Surviving besides her husband, William B., are two daughters, Mrs. John B. Peacock of Omaha and Mrs. John Schoentgen of Council Bluffs, and a son, Harry Fonda of New York City. Mrs Schoentgen attended the university in 1927.</blockquote> - transcription courtesy of Will Johnson, [mailto:wjhonson@aol.com wjhonson@aol.com], Professional Genealogist, from the original image on Ancestry ==Ten Eyck Fonda== Ten Eyck Fonda was born Dec 1839 in [[New York]] to native New York parents. He married, about 1864 to Harriet somebody also a New York native. They stayed in New York until at least 1871 when their son Ten Eyck Jr was born there, but by 1879 they had moved to Nebraska where their next surviving son William was born. Out of their six children, four were yet living in 1900 when they are enumerated in Omaha where Ten Eyck Fonda is a Railroad Ticket Agent. Ten Eyck and Harriet are yet living in Omaha in 1920 so it's probable that they both died there. ===Primary documents for 4=== *[http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7602&iid=NET623_925-0369&fn=Ten+Eycr+h&ln=Fonda&st=r&ssrc=&pid=32703986 1900 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] *[http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=0&gsfn=&gsln=Fonda&sx=&f8=Nebraska&f9=&f10=&f20=New+York&rg_fa5__date=&rs_fa5__date=0&f16__n=&rg_f19__date=&rs_f19__date=0&f18=&fa20=&f21=&fa18=&f22=&fa14=&gskw=&prox=1&db=1920usfedcen&ti=0&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&fh=5&recid=51291860&recoff=4+19+20+21+22+24 1920 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] ===Secondary sources for 4=== *[http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=amfonda&id=ind00200 "TenEyck Hilton Fonda"] in 'Fonda Family Genealogy', by Albert Mark, [mailto:mark@fonda.org mark@fonda.org], db amfonda at Rootsweb's WorldConnect Project ==Harriet M== ===Primary documents for 5=== *[http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx=View&r=an&dbid=7602&iid=NET623_925-0369&fn=Ten+Eycr+h&ln=Fonda&st=r&ssrc=&pid=32703986 1900 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] *[http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=0&gsfn=&gsln=Fonda&sx=&f8=Nebraska&f9=&f10=&f20=New+York&rg_fa5__date=&rs_fa5__date=0&f16__n=&rg_f19__date=&rs_f19__date=0&f18=&fa20=&f21=&fa18=&f22=&fa14=&gskw=&prox=1&db=1920usfedcen&ti=0&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&fh=5&recid=51291860&recoff=4+19+20+21+22+24 1920 Census of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska] [[Category:Famous Men]] [[Category:New York]] [[Category:Wisconsin]] [[Category:Nebraska]] [[Category:California]] [[Category:Movies and Television]]
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