WYNN, KEENAN

WYNN, KEENAN (Francis Xavier Aloysius ; 1916–1986), U.S. actor. Born in New York, the son of Ed *Wynn (1886–1966). Keenan toured in stock companies and appeared on the New York stage and on television before making his debut in films in See Here, Private Hargrove (1944). His Broadway performances include Remember the Day (1935), Hitch Your Wagon (1937), The Star-Wagon (1937), One for the Money (1939), Two for the Show (1940), The More the Merrier (1941), and Strip for Action (1942).

A long-standing character actor, Wynn made more than 100 television appearances and performed in more than 170 films. He was nominated once for an Emmy for his performance in an episode of the tv series Police Woman. Of his career Wynn is said to have commented, "My billing has always been 'and' or 'with' or 'including.' That's all right; let the stars take the blame."

Wynn's feature film roles include The Hucksters (1947), My Dear Secretary (1949), Annie Get Your Gun (1950), Royal Wedding (1951), Kiss Me, Kate (1953), The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956), Don't Go Near the Water (1957), A Hole in the Head (1959), The Absent-Minded Professor (1962), Dr. Strangelove (1964), The Patsy (1964), The Americanization of Emily (1964), The Great Race (1965), Finian's Rainbow (1968), MacKenna's Gold (1969), Loving (1970), The Mechanic (1972), Snowball Express (1972), Nashville (1975), High Velocity (1976), Just Tell Me What You Want (1980), Best Friends (1982), and Black Moon Rising (1986). Wynn's final role was as Butch in the tv pilot and comedy series The Last Precinct (1986).

Wynn's autobiography, Ed Wynn's Son, was published in 1959.

bibliography:

N. Wynn, We Will Always Live in Beverly Hills (1990).

[Ruth Beloff (2^nd ed.)]