Joseph Sweeney (actor)

Joseph Sweeney (July 26, 1884[lower-alpha 1] – November 25, 1963) was an American actor who worked in stage productions, television and movies. His best-known role was as the elderly Juror #9 in the 1957 classic 12 Angry Men,[1] the role he originated in a 1954 Westinghouse Studio One live teleplay of which the film was an adaptation.

For other people named Joseph Sweeney, see Joseph Sweeney (disambiguation).
Joseph Sweeney
Sweeney in 12 Angry Men, 1957
Born(1884-07-26)July 26, 1884
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedNovember 25, 1963(1963-11-25) (aged 79)
New York City, New York, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1918–1963

Stage career

Born in Philadelphia, Sweeney debuted on stage in stock theater with a company in Norwich, Connecticut.[2] He had a successful career as a stage performer in such productions as The Clansmen, George Washington Slept Here, Ladies and Gentlemen, A Slight Case of Murder, Dear Old Darlin, and Days To Remember. In the 1940s he made the switch to television as audiences' interests changed.[1] He returned to the stage in 1953 to portray Giles Corey in Arthur Miller's The Crucible.[3]

Later life

Sweeney kept acting until his death, appearing in numerous television shows, including at least twelve during the last year of his life. He died on November 25, 1963, at the age of 79.[1]

Filmography

Television
Year(s) Title Role Notes
1949 Wesley Wesley's Grandfather
1954 Twelve Angry Men Juror #9
1961 Naked City Jacob S. Moreland Season 3 Episode 12 - Bridge Party
1963 Car 54, Where Are You? The Judge / A.E. Van Cleve / Jim McNaughton 4 Episodes

Films
Year Title Role Notes
1918 Sylvia on a Spree A Pal of Jack's
1936 Soak the Rich Capt. Pettijohn, 1st detective
1940 The Philadelphia Story Butler (uncredited)
1950 Outside the Wall Prison Hospital Inmate (uncredited)
1956 The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit Edward M. Schultz
1956 The Fastest Gun Alive Reverend
1957 12 Angry Men Juror #9 / McCardle

Notes
  1. other sources state 1882.

References
  1. Biography of Joseph Sweeney
  2. "Joseph Sweeney Finds Joy In Role of Villain". Times Union. New York, Brooklyn. May 6, 1928. p. 28. Retrieved November 9, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. The Crucible, Bantam Book edition, 1959 at page xiii
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