Wisconsin History Day By Day


Related Web Sites:
Internet Movie Database

Fred MacMurray: Movie Star, Family Man and America's Favorite Dad


Read More About It

"Famous Wisconsin Film Stars" by Kristin Gilpatrick

"Favorite Son: Will it be Fred MacMurray?" Wisconsin State Journal, July 8, 1997

"Beaver Dam Residents Recall 'Bud' MacMurray" Wisconsin State Journal, November 7, 1991


Vocabulary:

accomplished
pursue
prime


Interesting Fact:

A life-long friendship MacMurray made during his days at Carroll College was with Les Paul, a Wisconsin-born musician and inventor of the electric guitar.


Study Questions:

  • What were some of the movies in which MacMurray starred?
  • What was MacMurray's childhood like in Beaver Dam? In later years, how did MacMurray feel about his hometown?
  • What other film stars have Wisconsin roots?


    U.S. historical events that occurred on August 30:

    1862: The Confederates defeat the Union forces at the Second Battle of Bull Run.
    1905: Ty Cobb makes his major league debut.



  • August 30

    August 30, 1908: Beaver Dam native and film and television star Fred MacMurray was born on this date in Kankakee, Illinois. An accomplished athlete and musician in high school, MacMurray attended Carroll College for a short time before dropping out to pursue a career in music. His music took him to Hollywood and New York where he was given small parts in movies and plays. His small parts in movies eventually grew into leading roles, making MacMurray the highest paid Hollywood actor during his prime in the 1940's. In 1942, he had one of the ten highest salaries in the United States. McMurray, best known for his role in the TV show, "My Three Sons," died on November 5, 1991.


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