FAMILY
FRIEND EDDIE BRACKEN PASSES
Long time family friend Eddie Bracken passed away this week at his
home in New Jersey.
Child actor, vaudevillian, movie star - and one of Preston Sturges'
great collaborators, Mr. Bracken is best remembered, by us anyway,
as the star of THE MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK and HAIL THE CONQUERING
HERO. His portrayals of small-town American boys unable to particpate
in the war (because of their poor health) are both hilarious and
heart wrenching. Be it Norval Jones and "The SPOTS!!" or Woodrow
Lafayette Pershing Truesmith and his chronic hay fever, Mr. Bracken
could make you laugh and cry in the same sentence.
Mr. Bracken was married for 62 years to the recently deceased Constance
Nickerson Bracken with whom he raised five amazing children. He
leaves them behind along with nine grandchildren and two great granchildren.
Recently honored by the legendary New York theatre FILM FORUM, Mr.
Bracken said at that time that it would be his last time on stage.
One of his last interviews will appear as a "Special Feature" in
the forthcoming dvd release of MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK (June 2003).
God bless you Eddie. You were a great friend to our family.
