Charley Grapewin

Biography

Charles Ellsworth Grapewin (December 20, 1869 – February 2, 1956) was a versatile American entertainer renowned for his work in vaudeville, writing, and both silent and sound films. He is best remembered for his iconic roles as Uncle Henry, Aunt Em's husband in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, Grandpa Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1940), and Jeeter Lester in Tobacco Road (1941). Grapewin often portrayed charming, elderly characters rooted in rustic settings, contributing to his impressive filmography that spans over 100 movies. Notably, he was the oldest member of the cast in The Wizard of Oz.

Born in Xenia, Ohio, Grapewin initially pursued a career as a circus acrobat, performing with the renowned P. T. Barnum circus. His acting journey began with the original 1903 Broadway production of The Wizard of Oz, three decades before his memorable portrayal in the MGM film adaptation. He spent the next thirty years engaged in theater, both onstage and off, and even penned plays to showcase his talents, with his only Broadway credit being the short-lived play It's Up to You John Henry in 1905.

In 1896, he married actress Anna Chance, and they shared a lasting partnership until her passing in 1943. Grapewin later married Loretta McGowan Becker on January 10, 1945. He made his film debut in 1900 with two shorts and continued to act, leaving a lasting legacy in cinema. Grapewin passed away at the age of 86 in Corona, California, and his ashes rest alongside his first wife in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.