Fredric March passed away on April 14, 1975, at the age of 77. Born Ernest Frederick McIntyre Bickel in Racine, Wisconsin, he was raised there and attended Racine High School. He later enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. March served in the U.S. Army during World War I before briefly working as a banker. An illness prompted a career change, leading him to begin acting as an extra in New York films in 1920.
March made his Broadway debut in 1926 and transitioned to Hollywood by the late 1920s. He signed with Paramount Pictures and appeared in seven films in 1929. Throughout his career, he earned two Academy Awards: one in 1932 for “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” and another in 1946 for “The Best Years of Our Lives.” He also received two Tony Awards for his stage work. His notable films include “A Star is Born,” “Les Misérables,” and “Inherit the Wind.”
Renowned for portraying serious and complex characters, March worked across film, theater, and television. He was an advocate for civil rights and supported Democratic causes. In 1959, he appeared before Congress to recite the Gettysburg Address. March remained professionally active until near the end of his life, with his final film being “The Iceman Cometh” in 1973.
Fredric March was laid to rest in New Milford, Connecticut, where he spent much of his adult life away from Racine. Despite this, he frequently spoke fondly of his hometown. He is recognized as one of Racine’s most distinguished actors, celebrated for his extensive and successful career in American entertainment.
