Henry Fonda

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Henry Fonda (1905-1982), born in Grand Island, Nebraska, was renowned for his compelling portrayals of strong, principled characters.

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Fonda's early years were marked by his involvement in theatre, where he honed his craft and developed a reputation for authenticity. His breakthrough came with the Broadway production of The Farmer Takes a Wife (1934), which led to his Hollywood debut in an adaptation of the play in 1935. 

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He quickly established himself as a leading man in Hollywood and his long collaboration with director John Ford resulted in classics like The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and My Darling Clementine (1946).

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Fonda's career spanned five decades, marked by critically acclaimed performances in 12 Angry Men (1957), Once Upon A Time In The West (1968) and On Golden Pond (1981), winning an Academy Award for Best Actor in what would be his final screen performance. His calm demeanour and everyman appeal made him a beloved figure in American cinema.

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Off-screen, Fonda was known for his reserved, introspective nature. As the patriarch of the Fonda acting dynasty, his legacy endured through his children, Jane and Peter Fonda, and granddaughter Bridget, who all achieved significant success in their own right.