Dwight D. Eisenhower was an American actor, producer, and director who worked in the entertainment industry for over 50 years. He is best known for his roles in such films as “The War of the Worlds” (1953), “High Noon” (1952), “The Caine Mutiny” (1954), and “The Great Escape” (1963).
Born on October 14, 1890 in Denison, Texas, Eisenhower was the son of David Jacob Eisenhower and Ida Elizabeth Stover. He was raised in Abilene, Kansas, and attended the University of Kansas where he earned a degree in engineering. After college, he joined the U.S. Army and served during World War I.
In the early 1920s, Eisenhower began acting in theatre productions, eventually making his way to Broadway. He earned acclaim for his performances in the plays “The Green Goddess” (1926) and “The New Moon” (1927). He soon transitioned to working in film, making his debut in the 1933 movie “Rafter Romance.”
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Eisenhower appeared in a number of films, including the westerns “The Plainsman” (1936) and “The Westerner” (1940). He also had a supporting role in the Academy Award-winning film “High Noon” (1952). That same year, he starred in the science fiction classic “War of the Worlds,” which he also co-produced and directed.
In the mid-1950s, Eisenhower began directing and producing his own films. He directed the critically acclaimed “The Caine Mutiny” (1954) and the World War II drama “The Great Escape” (1963), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
In addition to his work in film, Eisenhower was an accomplished composer. He wrote music for several of his movies, including “The War of the Worlds” and “The Great Escape.” He also wrote the score for the television series “The Rifleman.”
Eisenhower died on March 28, 1969 at the age of 78. He was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991. He was also inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers in 1990.
Throughout his career
