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He was born in London, Ontario, Canada, one of three children of Hume Blake Cronyn (a businessman and a Member of Parliament for London, and for whom Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory and asteroid (12050) Humecronyn are named) and his wife Frances Amelia Labatt, of the brewing company family. His great-grandfather was Bishop Benjamin Cronyn, founder of Huron College at the University of Western Ontario.
Hume Cronyn studied drama at McGill University, and continued his acting studies under Max Reinhardt and at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts . In 1934, he made his Broadway debut as a janitor in "Hipper's Holiday" and became known for his versatility, playing a number of different roles on stage.
His initial Hollywood film was in 1943 in Hitchcock's Shadow of a DoubtShadow of a Doubt is a 1943 film noir which tells the story of a young woman who thinks that her uncle might be a serial killer. It stars Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey, Henry Travers and Hume Cronyn. The movie was written by Gordon McDonel; he later appeared in that director's LifeboatLifeboat is a 1944 World War II movie, directed by Alfred Hitchcock from a story written by John Steinbeck. The whole movie takes place in a lifeboat. A group of American and British citizens are stuck in a lifeboat after their ship is sunk by a Nazi U-bo, and was a writer for the screenplays of RopeRope Alfred Hitchcock's Rope Category Thriller Year 1948 Company Transatlantic Pictures, Warner Brothers Running time 80 minutes Starring: James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger, Sir Cedric Hardwick, Constance Collier, Douglas Dick, Edith Evanson, Joan and Under Capricorn . He was nominated for an Academy AwardBob Hope received two honorary Oscars for his contributions to cinema. The Academy Awards (often better known as Oscars) are the most prominent film award in the United States. The Awards are granted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a p for best supporting actorThe Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. The winners a for his performance in The Seventh Cross in 1944Events World War II January January 4 The Battle of Monte Cassino begins. January 5 Murder of Danish playwright Kaj Munck January 17 British forces, in Italy, cross the Garigliano River. January 20 The Royal Air Force drops 2,300 tons of bombs on Berlin;.
Cronyn was married to actress Jessica TandyJessica Tandy ( June 7, 1909 September 11, 1994) was a British-born American actress who was born in London. She is the mother of actress Tandy Cronyn, and was chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the world in 1990. Later th from 1942Events January January 1 World War II: The word " United Nations" is first officially used to describe the Allied pact. January 2 World War II: Manila is captured by Japanese forces. January 5 Amy Johnson disappears in flight over River Thames estuary ass until her death in September 1994, and appeared with her in many of their more memorable dramatic outings, including The Gin Game , Foxfire, Cocoon and .
He became an American citizen late in life. His 1991 autobiography was called A Terrible Liar (BooksEnthsiast.com). He married author Susan Cooper in July 1996.
He died at age 91 of prostate cancer at his home in Fairfield, Connecticut.