The Early Life of José Ferrer
José Ferrer was born on January 8, 1912, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was the son of Rafael Ferrer, an attorney, and María Providencia Cintrón, a homemaker. Ferrer moved to the United States to study at Princeton University and later attended the Yale School of Drama. He made his Broadway debut in 1935 in the play “A Slight Case of Murder.”
Ferrer’s breakthrough role came in 1946 when he played the lead in the Broadway production of “Cyrano de Bergerac.” He won a Tony Award for his performance and went on to star in the 1950 film adaptation, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor.
José Ferrer’s Personal Life
Ferrer was married five times and had five children. His first wife was Uta Hagen, with whom he had a daughter named Leticia. He later married Phyllis Hill, with whom he had two children, Maria and Monsita. Ferrer’s third marriage was to Rosemary Clooney, with whom he had two sons, Miguel and Rafael. His fourth marriage was to Stella Magee, and his fifth and final marriage was to Carolyn Mitchell.
Ferrer was known for his activism and spoke out against the Hollywood blacklist during the McCarthy era. He was also a supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and was involved in the March on Washington in 1963.
José Ferrer’s Movies
In addition to “Cyrano de Bergerac,” Ferrer appeared in many other films throughout his career. Some of his notable roles include Lieutenant Barney Greenwald in “The Caine Mutiny,” the villainous Mr. Ives in “The Great Man,” and the title character in “The Shrike.” He also directed several films, including “The Great Man” and “The High Cost of Loving.”
Despite his success in Hollywood, Ferrer remained committed to the theater and continued to perform on stage throughout his career. He directed several productions, including the original Broadway production of “The Fourposter.”
José Ferrer’s Son, Miguel José Ferrer
Miguel José Ferrer was born on February 7, 1955, in Santa Monica, California. He followed in his father’s footsteps and became an actor, appearing in many films and television shows throughout his career. Some of his notable roles include Bob Morton in “RoboCop,” Owen Granger in “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and Albert Rosenfield in “Twin Peaks.”
Miguel José Ferrer passed away on January 19, 2017, at the age of 61 due to throat cancer. He is survived by his wife, Lori Weintraub, and their two children.
José Ferrer’s Daughter, Phyllis Ferrer
Phyllis Ferrer was born on October 20, 1940, in New York City. She is the daughter of José Ferrer and his second wife, Phyllis Hill. While she did not follow in her father’s footsteps and become an actor, she has had a successful career in her own right.
Phyllis Ferrer is a clinical psychologist and has worked with patients dealing with addiction, depression, and anxiety. She has also written several books, including “The Unconscious Revisited: Psychoanalytic Clinical Practice and the New Cognitive Psychology” and “Psychoanalysis and Neuroscience.”
Conclusion
José Ferrer’s legacy lives on through his many contributions to the world of theater and film. From his award-winning performance in “Cyrano de Bergerac” to his activism and commitment to social justice, Ferrer was a true icon. His children, including daughter Phyllis Ferrer and actor son Miguel José Ferrer, have also made their mark in their respective fields, ensuring that the Ferrer name will continue to be recognized and celebrated for years to come.
