'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' Star Kevin McCarthy Dies at 96

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Sep 12th 2010 11:58PM

Kevin McCarthy Dead Kevin McCarthy, who starred as a frantic doctor trying to save his community in the science-fiction movie classic 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers,' has died at age 96.

McCarthy died Saturday, said Cape Cod Hospital spokesman Dave Riley, who wouldn't reveal the cause of death or any other details.

'Body Snatchers' was one of the most powerful films of the classic 1950s sci-fi era and it hung on McCarthy's performance.

In fact, while he would consistently win praise for his acting during a long and busy career, his most lasting fame would come for 'Body Snatchers,' a film that was a flop upon its initial release.

His frantic shouting of "You're next!" to those in approaching cars became so well known among science-fiction fans that he was often asked to spoof the role, including in the '70s remake of the film

'Body Snatchers' flopped at the box office, considered too bleak for audiences of the time. It was elevated to classic status, and its star to iconic status, after such critics as Francois Truffault hailed it and late-night television programmers embraced it, and specifically, McCarthy's performance as he vainly tried to warn residents in his small town of the evil pod people from outer space who were quietly taking over the personalities of everyone on Earth.

Kevin McCarthy's Classic 'Body Snatchers' Panic Attack

McCarthy's acting career took off in 1938 with his Broadway debut in "Abe Lincoln in Illinois."

Soon after, he became an early member of the Actors Studio and was chosen by Elia Kazan to play Biff, the son of Willy Loman, in the London production of "Death of a Salesman." He repeated the role in the 1951 film starring Fredric March and earned an Oscar nomination as supporting actor.

McCarthy's other films included "A Gathering of Eagles," "The Best Man," "Mirage," "Hotel," "The Howling," "Twilight Zone- The Movie," "Inner Space," "Dark Tower," "Just Cause," "The Distinguished Gentleman" and "Steal Big, Steal Little."

He also appeared in one other classic film, although in a much smaller role. He was Marilyn Monroe's estranged husband in her last movie, 1961's "The Misfits."

He originally turned down the role when director John Huston approached him, complaining that it was too small.

"I finally said I would do it if they paid me $100 a word," he recalled in 2003. "Turns out I had 29 words. I should have asked for more."

McCarthy also worked frequently in television, appearing in TV movies, miniseries and such series as "The Survivors," "Flamingo Road" and "Amanda's."

Comic accordion player "Weird Al" Yankovic cast McCarthy in his movie "UHF" and several of his videos, and the actor appeared in more than two dozen episodes of the CBS Radio Mystery Theater.

In 1978, he began touring in the one-man show "Give 'em Hell, Harry," playing the Harry Truman role created by James Whitmore. Over the years he appeared as Truman in 350 venues.

McCarthy was born in Seattle on Feb. 15, 1914. He, his sister, author Mary McCarthy, and their two brothers were orphaned when their parents died in the 1918 influenza epidemic. They were raised by relatives.

His first marriage, to Augusta Dabney, produced three children. His second, to Kate Crane, produced two children.

Comments

(53)

Monday 13 September

By Apostate

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A superb character actor he was. I particularly enjoyed his performances in "Inner Space", "Twilight Zone:The Movie" and,of course,"Invasion Of The Body Snatchers". May he rest in peace.

By robertakobler

We should also remember his strong performances in the recurring TV Series, Flamingo Road, opposite Morgan Fairchild. He was what old Hollywood referred to as a "B" actor but he will always be an "A" actor in my book!

By xnfuzhaomib

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

t I always got the feeling that he was the same person in REAL life that he was in his character. Not to take away from Hanks, Cruise, Clooney, Penn, et al ad nauseum (notice I didn't mention Depp), but to coin a corny phrase..."they don't make 'em like that anymore"My boyfriend and i both think so..I am almost 11year younger than him....we met each other on AgeG'a'pS'ingl'es.C'o'm ~a nice place for younger women and oldermen, or older women and younger men,to interact with each othe,why not go to have a look?maybe u wanna check it out or tell ur friends.

Tuesday 14 September

By yahoofashion

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By Danny Leake

No real special effects. Just one hell of a frightening performance. I still remember the terror I felt as a kid when he realized his love who he was kissing had turned into a Pod person.

Rest In Peace Kevin. Your were TRULY an original.

By Al Schrader

Caroline Fort must have been a Pod person . I never got to kiss her, she simply punched into my chest and ripped my heart out.
What was she like ? Most beautiful woman that ever walked the face of the earth, long redish - blonde hair, perfect blue-green eyes, perky everything. Often seen in a tight fitting yellow cotton dress. Yeah, she was Pod material....Al-

By Jane

Great actor. I loved him in Body Snatchers and the old episode of Twilight Zone where he had eternal life. That was one of my favorite episodes.

Where do we report the spam on these message boards? I am really sick of seeing them when I want to read about the story.

By Marie

Jane: In the top right hand corner you will see 3 little colored boxes. The box on the extreme right (it is is black) is the one you click on to report spam. Good for you.....everyone should report this kind of material.

By Adele

You just click on the exclamation point in the rating row to report spam.

Another actor from the "After School Movie" clan gone. (sigh)

By Maria

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Jane, I loved that Twilight Zone episode too! As a kid it scared the you know what out of me when he turned to dust! I also want to know about these spam idiots! I am so sick of hearing from that ditz with the boyfriend 11 years older then her! Please give us all a break!
RIP Kevin!

By racings12a

Jane I agree with you about the two roles McCarthy played. But I always remember him in Twilight Zone THE MOVIE he played in. It was a spin off of an old Twilight Zone TV show which starred Billy Mumy as a boy who could turn people in cartoon characters. I also remember him on the TV show Flamingo Road. He was a very good actor, one of the good old timers. Rest in peace Kevin, see you in reruns.

If you all read this, thank you Marie and Adele with the help with the spammers and it was good to read about Mr. McCarthy from Maria and racings12a too. You're good people.

By mike

The good actors die off, and the one's who can't are still around.

By Carol L. Ziegler

This wonderful actor was 96 years-old and last I heard we don't live forever. But you have a point. Too much celebrity, not enough talent seem to get big studio roles. You'll find better actors on cable- and paying for HBO is worth it. Maybe we should send them a message a not go and spend a ridiculous amount of money for the "privilege." I know, I don't. Try the indies- try TCM for the oldies but goodies.

By tiki

After not going to sleep for 96 years.........
they finally got'him !
There is a "New Cape Cod Pod" with his name on it,
opening as we speak !

Kevin you surely were the Best !

So now Jobs' hidden plot is exposed by the iPod !!!
One minute, a seemingly harmless device, next it turns you into powder. Now I get it, a Pod ....Al-

By Bella

Saddened by his death but WOW he lived a really long life! I loved him in Body Snatchers and whatever else he was in - he shined. Hollywood lost another bright star.

By barbara

I loved his performance in the twilight zone. He played the daddy to a mean little boys that had powers. Do you remember that show? I always watched the movies he played in. And he was so handsome. good night kevin we love you.

Hey Barbara, in the Twilight Zone movie he played the little boys Uncle Walt and I always loved him in that role. It seemed like a role tailor made for him. This bit in the movie was from the old Twilight Zone TV show and the little boy was played by Billy Mumy and his father in that show was played by an actor named John Larch. It was one of my favorite Twilight Zones.

By BTDT

Always enjoyed this man's work.
Rest in piece Mr. McCarthy

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