Fred MacMurray Birth Date and Early Life
Fred MacMurray was born on August 30, 1908, in Kankakee, Illinois, United States. He was the son of Maleta E. and Frederick Talmadge MacMurray, and he grew up in a middle-class family that moved frequently during his childhood. His birth date places him among the actors who began their careers in the 1930s and remained active for more than five decades. Biography.com provides a detailed timeline of his early years and family background.
His family relocated several times, and he attended schools in New York and California before pursuing work in entertainment. By his late teens, he had taken jobs that included playing saxophone and working odd jobs before entering the film industry. IMDb biography summarizes his pre-film occupations and early career steps.
Career Highlights and Major Roles
Fred MacMurray became one of the most recognizable Hollywood stars from the 1940s through the 1960s. He appeared in more than one hundred films and was known for his roles in comedies, dramas, and westerns. His most iconic role came in the 1947 film Double Indemnity, which established him as a leading man in film noir. Forbes discusses the lasting impact of that performance on his career.
Later in his career, he starred in the long-running television series My Three Sons, which aired from 1960 to 1972. The show made him a household name for a new generation and solidified his status as a dependable family-friendly actor. The Hollywood Reporter examines how the series shaped his later career.
Legacy, Net Worth, and Public Records
Fred MacMurray's net worth at the time of his death in 1991 was estimated at around $20 million, accumulated through decades of film and television work. His estate and public records reflect a career that spanned multiple studios and production companies. SEC EDGAR archives include filings related to entertainment trusts and estates that reference his name in connection with historical rights and royalties.
Today, his filmography and television appearances continue to be studied in media history courses and referenced in retrospectives on classic Hollywood. His birth date remains a key data point for biographical databases, fan sites, and archival projects. Biography.com remains a primary source for verified facts about his life and career.