Five Famous Alums: Actors
Oscar, Tony, and Emmy winners who called BU home
Harold Russell (Questrom’49) was cast as a disabled World War II veteran who returns home in the 1946 Hollywood classic The Best Years of Our Lives. At the time, Russell was a student at BU. His performance as Homer Parish won him a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award and an honorary Academy Award for “bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans.” Russell, who enlisted in the Army the day after Pearl Harbor, was a paratrooper and learned demolitions. As an army instructor in 1944, he lost both of his hands after a defective fuse detonated an explosive while he was making a training film. Russell acted infrequently, appearing in only two other movies, Inside Moves and Dogtown, choosing instead to devote himself to veterans’ organizations. President John Kennedy appointed him vice chairman of the President’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, and he was appointed chairman by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Russell wrote two autobiographies, Victory in My Hands (1949) and The Best Years of My Life (1981). He died in 2002, at age 88. Russell (center) with producer Samuel Goldwyn (left) and director William Wyler at the 1947 Academy Awards. Photo courtesy Getty Images
Among the approximately 312,000 graduates of Boston University are a number of men and women who have distinguished themselves in their chosen profession. Writers. Athletes. Journalists. Scientists. Statesmen. Theologians. Each week this summer, we’re bringing you photos of five of these notable alums.
This week, we showcase five actors who have made a name for themselves in film, television, and stage.
John Cazale (CFA’59) was already a veteran New York stage actor who had won two Obie Awards for his work off-Broadway when he made his film debut in 1972 as Fredo Corleone in The Godfather. He appeared in only four more films, reprising his role as Fredo in The Godfather Part II, costarring with Gene Hackman in The Conversation, and playing Al Pacino’s partner in Dog Day Afternoon. Cazale died of lung cancer in 1978, shortly after completing shooting on the The Deer Hunter. He was 42. He is the only actor in history to have every feature film he appeared in earn an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Cazale (far right) in a scene from The Godfather with Al Pacino (from left), Marlon Brando, and James Caan. Photo by Steve Schapiro/Getty Images
Jason Alexander (Hon.’95) is best known for his iconic performance as George Costanza in the long-running hit TV series Seinfeld (1989-1995). The role earned him six Emmy nominations. He won the 1989 Tony Award for his performance on Broadway in the musical Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. He’s acted in several movies, among them Love! Valour! Compassion! and Pretty Woman. Alexander most recently appeared on Broadway in 2015 in Larry David’s Fish in the Dark. He has been a guest star on numerous TV shows after Seinfeld’s run ended. Here, Alexander at the 1995 Emmy Awards. Photo by Alan Light
Michael Chiklis (CFA’86) earned an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his performance as LAPD detective Vic Mackey on the FX drama The Shield. After graduating from BU, Chiklis beat out 200 other actors for the role of John Belushi in the film Wired. He also starred in the ABC drama The Commish, the CBS drama Vegas, and as the Thing in the feature films Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Here, Chiklis (right) with Fantastic Four costar Ioan Gruffudd at the 2005 E3 Expo. Photo by Flickr contributor The Conmunity – Pop Culture Geek
Alex Karpovsky (UNI’97) is an accomplished director, screenwriter, and producer, but is best known for his role as Ray Ploshansky on HBO’s Girls. He has appeared in the Coen Brothers films Inside Llewyn Davis and this year’s Hail, Caesar. In addition, he is a frequent contributor to National Public Radio’s Selected Shorts. Here, Karpovsky at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival. Photo by Flickr contributor David Shankbone
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