Title
Johnny Mack Brown
Subject
Actors
Brown, Johnny Mack, 1904-1974
Foster, Henry Bacon, 1863-1939
Description
Johnny Mack Brown is shown with his daughter Cynthia and horse Rebel in this photo that was sent to Dayton Hale Jr. of Tuscaloosa, a cousin to Brown's wife Connie
Johnny Mack Brown was born on September 1, 1904, in Dothan. His expertise on the footfall field earned him a football scholarship to the University of Alabama where his efforts in the 1926 Alabama Rose Bowl win against the University of Washington Huskies brought him notoriety and some say that he gained the notice of Hollywood from this game.
Others say that following his playing days, Brown became friends with George Fawcett on a film location in Alabama. Fawcett encouraged Brown to try films.
When Alabama returned to the Rose Bowl in 1927, Brown went along and contacted Fawcett, who showed him around the studios. Brown went on to a successful career as an actor in film and television, starring in light comedies and romantic roles until he settled into the cowboy role in western films, of which he made dozens.
Brown was counted among the greats of western films along with Tom Mix, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Lash Larue.
Brown married his college sweetheart, Frances Cornelia "Connie" Foster, in 1926 and they were together until his death in 1974 in California. Connie was the daughter of Henry Bacon Foster and Jennie Hester Foster.
Henry Bacon Foster was a mayor of Tuscaloosa and a Tuscaloosa County solicitor, University of Alabama trustee and state legislator who fought as a Major in the Spanish-American War.
Johnny Mack Brown was born on September 1, 1904, in Dothan. His expertise on the footfall field earned him a football scholarship to the University of Alabama where his efforts in the 1926 Alabama Rose Bowl win against the University of Washington Huskies brought him notoriety and some say that he gained the notice of Hollywood from this game.
Others say that following his playing days, Brown became friends with George Fawcett on a film location in Alabama. Fawcett encouraged Brown to try films.
When Alabama returned to the Rose Bowl in 1927, Brown went along and contacted Fawcett, who showed him around the studios. Brown went on to a successful career as an actor in film and television, starring in light comedies and romantic roles until he settled into the cowboy role in western films, of which he made dozens.
Brown was counted among the greats of western films along with Tom Mix, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Lash Larue.
Brown married his college sweetheart, Frances Cornelia "Connie" Foster, in 1926 and they were together until his death in 1974 in California. Connie was the daughter of Henry Bacon Foster and Jennie Hester Foster.
Henry Bacon Foster was a mayor of Tuscaloosa and a Tuscaloosa County solicitor, University of Alabama trustee and state legislator who fought as a Major in the Spanish-American War.
Source
Dayton Hale Jr.
Date
Circa 1945
Contributor
Betty Slowe (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
2581
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
8 inches by 10 inches