James Coburn Obituary (1928 - 2002) - Beverly Hills, CA - Boston Globe

Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Share Obituary

1928 - 2002

BORN

1928

DIED

2002

James Coburn Obituary

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) – Actor James Coburn, who took on the tough-guy role in such films as "Our Man Flint" and "The Magnificent Seven," but whose anguished portrayal of an abusive father in "Affliction" finally earned him an Oscar, died Monday. He was 74.

Coburn died of a heart attack at home while listening to music with his wife, said his manager, Hillard Elkins.

Coburn won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for the 1998 film after overcoming a 10-year struggle with arthritis that left one hand crippled.

Despite those earlier physical problems he had been upbeat and working regularly, Elkins said Monday night. Most recently, he appeared in the new film "The Man From Elysian Fields" and finished another called "American Gun."

"And I have five or six scripts I've got to get out of my office because he can't shoot them now," said Elkins, his voice breaking.

Born in Laurel, Neb., on Aug. 31, 1928, Coburn studied acting in Los Angeles and with Stella Adler in New York

He appeared on stage in New York and in such dramatic television series as "Studio One" and "General Electric Theatre" in the 1950s.

He made his movie debut in "Ride Lonesome" in 1959, following it with another Western, "Face of a Fugitive," the same year.

He caught the public's attention the following year, when he played knife-throwing Britt in the epic Western "The Magnificent Seven."

Although he had few lines compared with his other macho co-stars, who included Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach and Steve McQueen, film historian Leonard Maltin noted Coburn's mere screen presence grabbed the public's attention.

"He was a guy who looked like he was casual, but he studied and he worked and he understood character," Elkins said of Coburn's success.

"He was a hell of an actor, he had a great sense of humor and those performances will be remembered for a very long time," he added.

After "The Magnificent Seven," Coburn played sidekicks and villains until the late 1960s when he cashed in on the James Bond mania with the humorous spy spoofs "Our Man Flint" and "In Like Flint."

He also won acclaim for such films as "The President's Analyst," which he also produced, the World War II escape epic "The Great Escape" and "Goldengirl."

In the 1980s he all but disappeared from the screen with the onset of arthritis. He said he "healed himself" with pills that had a sulfur base. His knuckles remained gnarled, but he said in a 1999 interview with The Associated Press that the pain was gone.

He said then, when the film roles weren't coming, "I've been reading a lot of stuff. I want to go to work. It's what I do best; it's the only thing I can really do."

"Actors are boring when they're not working, it's a natural condition, because they don't have anything to do, they just lay around and that's why so many of them get drunk. They really get to be boring people. My wife will attest to that," he said with a hearty laugh.

His health restored, he worked steadily through the '90s, appearing in such wide-ranging fare as "Young Guns II," "The Nutty Professor," "The Cherokee Kid" and "Maverick."

After winning a reputation for his leading roles, he capped his career with an Oscar for a supporting effort in "Affliction," as Glen Whitehouse, the abusive father to Nick Nolte's cop character in "Affliction."

It was his only Oscar nomination, and it came after scores of films. In all, he made more than 100.

"I've been working and doing this work for, like, over half my life and I finally got one right I guess," he said in his acceptance speech.

"Some of them you do for money, some of them you do for love," he added. "This is a love child."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe on Nov. 19, 2002.

Memories and Condolences
for James Coburn

36 Entries

Rest In Peace to the late great Mr. James Coburn. Hard times is a great movie, he plays Charles Bronson’s manager when he fights bare knuckle. You are never forgotten. Legends never die.

Anonymous

Acquaintance

April 6, 2024

Like the Sun, Mr. James Coburn is always with us.

Remembering you today James after watching one of your many characters on the movie screen. R.I.P. James Coburn

Daniel M. Zaborowski

Acquaintance

March 8, 2023

Still watch clips of "Hard Times" & "The Honkers" every day! my two favorite movies of all time! R.I.P.!

Andrew Svaby

Acquaintance

March 7, 2023

Godspeed, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.

Rest James, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.

Thank you for your service to this nation.

Harry Simpson

November 18, 2016

ONE'S SPIRIT IS STILL HERE....THE GREATEST, COOLEST and DEBONAIR ACTOR THAT EVER LIVED....NO ONE CAN LIVE UP TO ONE'S IMAGE!!......GONE NOT FORGOTTEN...THANK FOR SHARING ONE'S GIFT

Valenda Newell

July 21, 2016

There were none cooler than James Coburn!
One of America's top ten actors of all time.
He had that movie star smile. And he will always be remembered by so many.
Thanks James for being you.
R.I.P. Mr. James Coburn forever.

Daniel M. Zaborowski

May 19, 2016

I just watched Duck, you sucker. Classic cinema, you are missed. Thank you. Peace.

March 6, 2014

Rest in Peace, thank you

Joan Tonini

February 23, 2013

Our Man Flint will always

be one of my family's favorite movies. Sad for your lost.

Chandra Branch

November 21, 2002

To the Coburn Family,

"He stood, a man of Great Respect, a voice of Silk and Power, a man who really loved to do the things that made us Holler!!

I hope your family can take pleasure in knowing that Mr. Coburn will never be forgotten. He was "All That"

Gods Continued Blessings,

Deborah (-:

Deborah Hill

November 21, 2002

My sincere condolences go out to the Coburn family and friends. I am and will always be one of James Coburn fans. His time here with us may be over , but the memories he gave to us will last forever.

D.L. Daniel, Jr.

November 21, 2002

My condolences to all the family of Mr. Coburn. He gave so much of himself to all of us; a delight to see in the movies. Many memories to be shared for a longtime to come. God bless.

Ellie dann

November 21, 2002

Just last evening I enjoyed (as usual) Mr. Coburn's performance in "The Americanization of Emily". This morning I found out about James' "Casting Call" in Heaven.

My condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Coburn, but rest assured, He will obtain another starring role in Heaven.

Myles Thornton

November 21, 2002

My condolences to the Coburn Family. He was a GREAT Actor and will be missed on the Big Screen.

Lois Cantrell

November 21, 2002

edward wilturner

November 21, 2002

My condolences to the Coburn family.

Enjoyed many years of entertainment from his movie career. James' work will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Marty Myers

November 21, 2002

To the families of the late James Coburn. My prayer is with all of you. 'Am sure that God has a job for Mr. Coburn that's why he called upon him. When God call, we can only accept his invation to be present.

Junior Verdier

November 20, 2002

TO THE COBURN FAMILY AND FRIENDS

I CAN REMEMBER HEARING MY GRANDFATHER SAY WHAT A HELL OF ACTOR

MR COBURN WAS. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT UNTIL I SAT WITH HIM ONE NIGHT WATCHING VIDEO'S. THAT'S WHEN I UNDERSTOOD. HEAVEN NOW HAS TWO ANGLES THAT ARE VERY VERY SPECIAL.

YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS,

JOYCE WELLS

Joyce Wells

November 20, 2002

My thoughts and prayers and with you and your family. Mr. Coburn will always shine among the stars in Hollywood and he now shines among the stars in heaven.

Glenda Acors

November 20, 2002

To the coburn family,from the Spicer family,please accept our condolences on your loss,May God always be a blessing to you all

Jesse Spicer

November 20, 2002

Dear Coburn Family,

James had brougth alot of excitement to peoples lives and hearts. He will be truly missed. Heaven has gained an "Angel"

May God Bless

Pennie

Pennie Ray

November 20, 2002

To the James Coburn family. we will hold your family in our prayers. I have grown up watching James on the screen. he has made me cry and laugh especially in sister act II. My son loves watching monsters inc. and loves the character that has James's voice. I just lost my 7 week old grandson and i know now that he will be laughing up in heaven with one of the greatest actors around. i may not of got to hear him laugh but i know in my heart he is now. please accept my condolences.

Verna Murphy

November 20, 2002

The stage is dark and the theatre is silent. A great actor is no longer with us. You entertained us for many years and you've earned a well deserved rest. We shall truly miss you. Sincere condolences to all members of the Coburn family.

jacqueline pastreck

November 19, 2002

My condolences too Mr. Coburns family, his presence will be missed greatly.

Chuck Sanders

November 19, 2002

cleta wilson

November 19, 2002

Fans forever! Belinda& Eugene Green

Belinda Green

November 19, 2002

REST IN PEACE MR COBURN, I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED YOUR MOVIES. I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF YOUR PORTRAYAL OF THE CHARACTER IN IN LIKE FLINT. THEY ARE MEMORIES OF YOU I WILL ALWASY REMEMBER. MY CONDOLENCES TO THE COBURN FAMILY.

PAT LAWSON

November 19, 2002

Enjoyed you in all the movies, especially Malibu. The world will miss you.

Brenda Greene

November 19, 2002

MR. COBURN: YOU WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. YOU WILL BE WELCOMED BY ONE

WHO LOVES YOU MOST. ALL SYMPATHIES

TO THE COBURN FAMILY.

HAROLD GRANT

November 19, 2002

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE JOY AND EXCITMENT YOU GAVE TO US.

D JOHNSON

November 19, 2002

My condolences to Mr. Coburn's family and friends. He has always been a favorite actor of mine, and one of the best looking men ever. And that voice! I look forward to meeting him when I cross over. May he rest in peace.

Susan Kowalczyk

November 19, 2002

Oh James you cannot be gone! I always thought you were among the best! You had that universal appeal- a ladies man and yet a man's man as well! I will miss your voice & your smile! I know it must be a wonderful Heaven up there!

Valerie Rexrode

November 19, 2002

With heart felt sorrow to all of James Coburns family.

I am sure he and God are having the greatest conversation!!

He was the greatest Actor!

Blessed with wonderful voice..

A pleasure to watch on the screen. His pain and suffering are over and he joins his many fellow actors who have gone on before him.

May you rest in peace!

Rosemarie Benson

Ashland,MA.

Rosemarie Benson

November 19, 2002

I am 52 years old and WOW do I remember James Coburn. I grew up watching him on TV and watching his movies. He was a favorate of my father's as well. He will be missed. My symathy to Mr. Coburn's family and friends.

Juanita Farrar

November 19, 2002

My condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Coburn. I only knew him as an actor on the screen, but he was always a pleasure to watch. I will miss him.

maureen madigan

November 19, 2002

"The Magnificent Seven" has always been one of my favorite pictures. It wouldn't have been the same without Jim Coburn. May he rest in peace.

Harold Duncan

November 19, 2002

Showing 1 - 36 of 36 results