George Kennedy

**George Harris Kennedy Jr.** (February 18, 1925 – February 28, 2016), was an American actor, prolific in cinema and television. With over 100 film and television productions under his belt, he made his distinctive marks in the film industry. His iconic performances include 'Dragline' in Cool Hand Luke (1967), which earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and a nomination for a Golden Globe. His depiction of Joe Patroni in Airport (1970) fetched him a second Golden Globe nomination. His repertoire of films span over diverse genres and include Lonely Are the Brave, Charade, Strait-Jacket, McHale's Navy, Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte, Mirage, Shenandoah, The Sons of Katie Elder, The Flight of the Phoenix, In Harm's Way, and The Delta Force. Kennedy reprised his role as Joe Patroni in all four films from the Airport series, making him the only actor to do so. His comedic prowess was exhibited in the Naked Gun series of films where he played Police Captain Ed Hocken, and as the corrupt oil tycoon Carter McKay on the original Dallas television series. His career spanned nearly six decades, starting from his debut in the stage at the age of 2 until his final film appearance in The Gambler (2014).