John Dern is the father of celebrated Hollywood actor Bruce Dern. John Dern’s son is a two-time Oscar nominee who shows no signs of slowing down, having most recently appeared in Quentin Tarantino‘s “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” (2019). The actor has received several accolades, including the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actor and the Silver Bear for Best Actor.
He rose to prominence during the New Hollywood era, through roles in films such as They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant, The Cowboys, and more recently Monster (2003), The Hateful Eight (2015), The Artist’s Wife (2019).
John Dern: Bio Summary
| Full Name | John Dern |
| famous as | Bruce Dern’s father |
| Age | 55 years old at the time of death |
| Date of Birth | 26 July 1903 |
| Place of Birth | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Date of death | 7 May 1958 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Children | Bruce Dern |
| Spouse | Jean MacLeish |
Who is Bruce Dern’s father?
John Dern was born on 26 July 1903 in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. He was the son of George Dern, a Utah governor and Secretary of War (he was serving in the latter position during the time of Bruce’s birth), and Charlotte “Lottie” Brown.
Bruce Dern’s father was a utility chief and attorney. He was married to Jean MacLeish, the daughter of Bruce MacLeish, the Vice President of the Carson, Pirie, and Scott stores, which were established by his own father, Scottish-born businessman Andrew MacLeish.
ALSO, READ; Jean MacLeish: Who is Bruce Dern’s mother?
John Dern and his wife raised their son in Kenilworth, Illinois and he attended New Trier High School and the University of Pennsylvania. A lifelong avid runner, Bruce was a track star in high school and sought to qualify for the Olympic Trials in 1956.
John Dern on the other hand obtained his Bachelor of Science from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1924, and his Bachelor of Laws, in 1927 per Prabook. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1927 and the Illinois Bar in 1930.
What happened to Bruce Dern’s father?
John Dern died on 7 May 1958 in Chicago, Illinois, United States of a Heart attack according to Familypedia. He was laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois.
ALSO, READ; Andrea Beckett: Who is Bruce Dern’s wife?
Bruce Dern’s career
Per Goldderby, the actor spent most of his career as a colorful supporting player, livening up a film from the margins. He was front and center with Alexander Payne‘s “Nebraska” (2013), a late-career masterwork that cast him as an aging Missouri man who travels with his estranged son (Will Forte) to collect a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes prize. The role brought him the Best Actor prize at Cannes and lead acting nominations at the Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTA, SAG, and Critics Choice awards. At 77 years old, the performer proved he was far from finished.
ALSO, READ; Diane Elizabeth Dern: What happened to Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd’s daughter?
Bruce made his film debut in 1960 with the film Wild River, and after a slew of supporting roles, he first gained recognition for his performance in 1969’s They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?. Further notable turns included The Cowboys (1972), The Great Gatsby (1974), and The Driver (1978), before his turn in 1978’s Coming Home opposite Jane Fonda, which got him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Some of his most notable films include The Great Gatsby (1974), Posse (1975), Family Plot (1976), Black Sunday (1977), The Driver (1978), Tattoo (1981), That Championship Season (1982), Monster (2003), The Hateful Eight (2015), The Artist’s Wife (2019) and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019). He played Frank Harlow in the HBO series Big Love (2006–2011).
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