George Murphy

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = George Murphy

| image = George Murphy (R-CA).jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 1964

| jr/sr = United States Senator

| state = California

| term_start = January 1, 1965

| term_end = January 1, 1971

| predecessor = Pierre Salinger

| successor = John V. Tunney

| birth_name = George Lloyd Murphy

| birth_date = {{birth date|1902|7|4}}

| birth_place = New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1992|5|3|1902|7|4}}

| death_place = Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.

| party = Republican

| parents = Mike Murphy
Nora Long

| spouse = {{plainlist|

{{Marriage|Julie Henkel-Johnson|1926|1973|end=died}}
{{Marriage|Betty Duhon Blandi|1982}}

}}

| children = 2

| education = Yale University (BA)

| office2 = President of the Screen Actors Guild

| termstart2 = 1944

| termend2 = 1946

| successor2 = Robert Montgomery

| predecessor2 = James Cagney

}}

George Lloyd Murphy (July 4, 1902 – May 3, 1992) was an American actor and politician. Murphy was a song-and-dance leading man in many big-budget Hollywood musicals from 1930 to 1952. He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1944 to 1946, and was awarded an honorary Oscar in 1951. Murphy served from 1965 to 1971 as U.S. Senator from California, the first notable American actor to be elected to statewide office in California, predating Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who each served two terms as governor.In 1944, Democrat Jimmie Davis (1899–2000)—popularizer of "You Are My Sunshine"—was elected to his first term as Governor of Louisiana. In 1948 Grand Ole Opry star Roy Acuff won the Republican nomination for Governor of Tennessee but was defeated in the general election. Helen Gahagan Douglas served in the House of Representatives from 1945 to 1951. He is the only United States Senator represented by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early life

Murphy was born in New Haven, Connecticut, of Irish Catholic extraction, the son of Michael Charles "Mike" Murphy, athletic trainer and coach, and the former Nora Long.{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/murphy-george-lloyd|title=Murphy, George Lloyd|encyclopedia= The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives |publisher=Encyclopedia.com|access-date=January 10, 2020}} He was educated at Trinity-Pawling School, Peddie School and Yale University in his native New Haven.[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m001092 George Lloyd Murphy], Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Accessed February 27, 2011.

Career

= Film =

File:George Murphy.jpg

In movies, Murphy was known as a song-and-dance man and appeared in many big-budget musicals such as Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937), Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) and For Me and My Gal (1942). He made his movie debut shortly after talking pictures had replaced silent movies in 1930, and his career continued until he retired as an actor in 1952, at the age of 50. During World War II, he organized entertainment for American troops.{{cite web| url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=m001092 |title=MURPHY, George Lloyd

|website=Biographical Directory of the U. S. Congress |publisher=Office of the Historian, U. S. House of Representatives |access-date=13 April 2019}}

In 1951, he was awarded an honorary Academy Award. He was never nominated for an Oscar in any competitive category.{{Citation needed |date=November 2023}} On March 14, 1951, he hosted the first ever Eddie Awards for American Cinema Editors.{{cite news |title=Film Editors Hold First Annual Dinner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-evening-citizen-news-film-ed/144066881/ |access-date=March 25, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Evening Citizen News |date=March 15, 1951 |pages=25 |language=en}}{{cite book |last1=Ogilvie |first1= Jack |editor1-last=Smith |editor1-first=Fredrick Y. |title=ACE First Decade Anniversary Book |chapter=The Origin of the A.C.E.s |date=July 1961 |publisher=American Cinema Editors, Inc |location=Hollywood, California |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qsEvAQAAIAAJ |quote=The first annual Awards Dinner honoring the Nominees for Film Editing Award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was held in the Crystal Room of the Beverly Hills Hotel on March 14, 1951.}}

He was the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1944 to 1946. He was also a vice president of Desilu Productions and of the Technicolor Corporation.{{cite news|last=Steinberg|first=Jacques|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/05/us/george-murphy-singer-and-actor-who-became-senator-dies-at-89.html|title=George Murphy, Singer and Actor Who Became Senator, Dies at 89|work=The New York Times|date=May 5, 1992|access-date=October 24, 2019}} He was director of entertainment for presidential inaugurations in 1953, 1957 and 1961.{{Citation needed |date=November 2023}}

=== United States Senator ===

File:GeorgeMurphy.jpg

Murphy entered politics in 1952 by joining the leadership of the California Republican Party, having also directed the entertainment for the Eisenhower-Nixon inauguration that same year.

In 1964, he was elected as a Republican to the Senate, having defeated Pierre Salinger, the former presidential press secretary in the Kennedy White House, who had been appointed several months earlier to serve the remainder of the late Clair Engle's unexpired term. Murphy served from January 1, 1965, to January 1, 1971. He took his seat two days early, when Salinger resigned to allow Murphy to gain an edge in seniority; Murphy was then appointed by Democratic Governor Pat Brown to serve the remaining two days of Salinger's term. (In turn, Murphy resigned two days before his term expired, extending the same courtesy to his successor.)

Murphy was in demand for a time to assist other Republican candidates seeking office. In 1966, he hosted a fundraising dinner in Atlanta, for U.S. Representative Howard "Bo" Callaway, the first Republican candidate for Governor of Georgia since Reconstruction. In the election, Callaway outpolled Democrat Lester Maddox, but did not get a majority, and the state legislature elected Maddox.Billy Hathorn, "The Frustration of Opportunity: Georgia Republicans and the Election of 1966", Atlanta History: A Journal of Georgia and the South, XXXI (Winter 1987-1988), pp. 42, 47

In 1967 and 1968, Murphy was the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. During his Senate term, Murphy developed throat cancer, and part of his larynx had to be removed. For the rest of his life, he was unable to speak above a whisper.

Murphy voted in favor of the Voting Rights Act of 1965,{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/89-1965/s78|title=TO PASS S. 1564, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965.}} as well as the confirmation of Thurgood Marshall to the U.S. Supreme Court,{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/90-1967/s176|title=CONFIRMATION OF NOMINATION OF THURGOOD MARSHALL, THE FIRST NEGRO APPOINTED TO THE SUPREME COURT.|work=GovTrack.us}} and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/90-1968/s346|title=TO PASS H.R. 2516, A BILL TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION IN SALE OR RENTAL OF HOUSING, AND TO PROHIBIT RACIALLY MOTIVATED INTERFERENCE WITH A PERSON EXERCISING HIS CIVIL RIGHTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.}}

In 1970, Murphy ran for re-election; he was challenged by Democratic U.S. Representative John V. Tunney, the son of famed heavyweight boxing champion Gene Tunney. Murphy's surgery and staunch support for the lingering Vietnam War worked against him, as did reports that he had continued to receive a salary from Technicolor after taking office. Despite Governor Ronald Reagan’s 7% Re-election victory in the concurrent gubernatorial election, [https://archive.org/details/statementofvote197072cali/page/n59/mode/2up?view=theater] Murphy lost his seat to Tunney by a vote of 3,496,558 (54%) to 2,877,617 (44%). [https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=6524] Tunney's successful Senate race in 1970 was reportedly the inspiration for the 1972 Robert Redford film The Candidate.Christensen, Terry, and Hass, Peter. Projecting Politics: Political Messages in American Films, p. 146

Personal life and death

Murphy was married to his ballroom dancing partner, Juliette "Julie" Henkel-Johnson, from December 18, 1926, until her death, in 1973. They had two children: Dennis Michael Murphy and Melissa Elaine Murphy.{{Citation needed |date=November 2023}}

He was married to Bette Blandi from 1982 until his death in 1992;{{cite news |title=The Personal Side of George Murphy at Age 83 |first=Zan |last=Thompson |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-12-vw-10468-story.html |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=12 June 1986 |access-date=11 December 2012}} she died in 1999.

Murphy subsequently moved to Palm Beach, Florida, where he died at the age of 89, from leukemia.{{Citation needed |date=November 2023}}

Legacy

Murphy's move from the screen to California politics paved the way for the successful transitions of actors such as Ronald Reagan and later Arnold Schwarzenegger. Reagan once famously referred to George Murphy as his own "John the Baptist".

Fellow Republicans praised Murphy's ability to speak at fundraising dinners and so consequently backed his bid to become the chairman of the Senate Republican Campaign Committee.{{cite news|last1=Weaver|first1=Warren|title=Murphy Is Urged to Challenge Liberals for G.O.P. Senate Job; He Is Backed to Oppose Scott as Campaign Unit Leader Dirksen May Decide|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1966/12/08/82971955.pdf|access-date=8 October 2014|work=New York Times|date=8 December 1966}}

During his tenure in the Senate, Murphy created the candy desk by placing a supply of confectionery on his desk on the U.S. Senate floor. After 1971, the candy-desk duties were bequeathed to a string of successors; as of 2023, the keeper of the candy desk is Indiana Republican Todd Young.

Murphy was the subject of a song by Tom Lehrer included on his album That Was the Year That Was with the same name, which criticized Murphy's comments about Mexicans working in the US.{{Cite web|last=Lehrer|first=Tom|title=George Murphy (incl. The George Murphy Campaign Song and addenda)|url=https://tomlehrersongs.com/george-murphy/|access-date=2021-09-08|website=Tom Lehrer Songs|language=en-US}}

Filmography

File:George Murphy in London By Night.JPG

Kid Millions (1934) as Jerry Lane
Jealousy (1934) as Larry O'Roarke
I'll Love You Always (1935) as Carl Brent
After the Dance (1935) as Jerry Davis
The Public Menace (1935) as Edward Joseph 'Red' Foster
Woman Trap (1936) as Keat Shevlin
Top of the Town (1937) as Ted Lane
London by Night (1937) as Michael Denis
Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937) as Sonny Ledford
The Women Men Marry (1937) as Bill Raeburn
You're a Sweetheart (1937) as Hal Adams
Little Miss Broadway (1938) as Roger Wendling
Letter of Introduction (1938) as Barry Paige
Hold That Co-ed (1938) as Rusty
Risky Business (1939) as Dan Clifford
Broadway Melody of 1940 (1940) as King Shaw
Two Girls on Broadway (1940) as Eddie Kerns
Public Deb No. 1 (1940) as Alan Blake
Little Nellie Kelly (1940) as Jerry Kelly
A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob (1941) as Coffee Cup
Tom, Dick and Harry (1941) as Tom
Ringside Maisie (1941) as Skeets Maguire
Rise and Shine (1941) as Mo McGonigle
The Mayor of 44th Street (1942) as Joe Jonathan
For Me and My Gal (1942) as Mo K. Metcalf
The Navy Comes Through (1942) as Lt. Thomas L. 'Tom' Sands
The Powers Girl (1943) as Jerry Hendricks
Bataan (1943) as Lieut. Steve Bentley
This Is the Army (1943) as Jerry Jones
Broadway Rhythm (1944) as Jonnie Demming
Show Business (1944) as George Doane
Step Lively (1944) as Gordon Miller
Having Wonderful Crime (1945) as Jake Justus
Up Goes Maisie (1946) as Joseph Morton
The Arnelo Affair (1947) as Theodore 'Ted' Parkson
Cynthia (1947) as Larry Bishop
Tenth Avenue Angel (1948) as Steve Abbutt
Big City (1948) as Patrick O'Donnell
Border Incident (1949) as Jack Bearnes
Battleground (1949) as 'Pop' Stazak
No Questions Asked (1951) as Inspector Matt Duggan
It's a Big Country (1951) as Mr. Callaghan
Talk About a Stranger (1952) as Robert Fontaine Sr.
Walk East on Beacon (1952) as Inspector James 'Jim' Belden
Deep in My Heart (1954) (scenes deleted)

Radio

Suspense (episode "Death on Highway 99," 1945){{cite web|url=http://www.escape-suspense.com/2012/03/suspense-death-on-highway-99.html|title=Escape and Suspense!: Suspense - Death on Highway 99|website=www.escape-suspense.com|access-date=23 April 2018}}
Lux Radio Theatre (episode Royal Wedding, 1952){{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Walter|title=Better Radio Programs for the Week|newspaper=The Decatur Daily Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2394805/decatur_daily_review_april_13_1952/|agency=The Decatur Daily Review|date=April 13, 1952|page=48|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = May 11, 2015}} {{Open access}}

Television

New Comedy Showcase (episode "You're Only Young Twice," 1960){{cite web |url=https://www.tvobscurities.com/articles/unsold_pilots_on_television_56_66/ |title=UNSOLD PILOTS ON TELEVISION, 1956–1966 |author= |date=15 August 2019 |website=tvobscurities.com |publisher=Television Obscurities |access-date= 3 June 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tvobscurities.com/2009/06/status-guide-new-comedy-showcase/ |title=Status of New Comedy Showcase |author=Robert Jay |date=13 June 2009 |website=tvobscurities.com |publisher=Television Obscurities |access-date= 4 June 2024}}

References

External links

{{IMDb name|0614278}}
{{IBDB name}}
[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M001092 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]
[http://www.passportland.com/images/murphy-george/murphy-george.html Images of George Murphy's 1974 passport] from www.passportland.com

{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from California
(Class 1)|years=1964, 1970}}