Fred Patrick Henning[1] (July 5, 1908[citation needed] – April 28, 1973) was an American character actor, best known for playing Kayo Dugan in On The Waterfront (1954).

Henning was born in Boston as one of the fourth generation of a theatrical family. He first appeared on stage in a baby carriage at age two months as part of a vaudeville show. He traveled with his parents across much of the world, and in that process he became proficient in five languages.[1] Although those travels prevented him from attending schools as a child, he was educated via correspondence courses from the Professional Children's School.[2] He was a student at the New York Actors Studio, and he took a one-year course in television and film production at Lindsey Hopkins.[1]

Henning headed bills in vaudeville shows and starred in George White's Scandals.[3] His work in vaudeville led to his receiving a contract to act in films. After producer Andrew Stone saw Henning's vaudeville performance, he signed him to a contract the next day, and that resulted in Henning's being featured in Sensations of 1944.[4]

In 1953 Henning received an Emmy Award for his performance in The Catered Affair. He also was in the TV shows Flipper, Gentle Ben, The Honeymooners, and Wagon Train. Films in which he appeared included Man on a Tightrope and Wind across the Everglades.[1]

Henning was married to the former Elizaeth Croke for 32 years. He died at his Miami Beach, Florida, home on April 28, 1973, aged 62.[1]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1938 Shine On, Harvest Moon Shag Jackson
1939 Ride 'em, Cowgirl Henchman Lingstrom
1953 Man on a Tightrope Konradin
1954 On the Waterfront Kayo Dugan
1958 Wind Across the Everglades Sawdust
1963 The Cardinal Hercule Menton
1969 Hello Down There Reilly

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Actor Pat Henning dead here at 62". The Miami News. April 30, 1973. p. 16. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ DeHart, Earl (April 30, 1973). "Comedian-Actor Fred (Pat) Henning, Won Emmy in 'The Catered Affair'". The Miami Herald. p. 38. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Henning Stars On Vaudeville". The Miami News. August 18, 1943. p. 17. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "In Hollywood". The Daily Advocate. Ohio, Greenville. January 10, 1944. p. 4. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
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