John Howard Payne

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John Payne (May 28, 1912 - December 6, 1989) was an American movie actor Payne was born in Roanoke, Virginia. In 1934, he was spotted by a talent scout for the Shubert theaters and was given a job as a stock player. Payne toured with several Shubert Brothers shows. In 1936, he was offered a contract by Samuel Goldwyn, and he left New York for Hollywood. In 1940 he signed with 20th-Century Fox. Fox made him a star, in 1940s musicals like Tin Pan Alley, Sun Valley Serenade, and Weekend in Havana. A highlight during this period was co-starring with Gene Tierney and Tyrone Power in The Razor's Edge (1946). Later in his career Payne changed his image and began playing tough-guy roles in Hollywood films noir and westerns including Kansas City Confidential, 99 River Street and Slightly Scarlet. Payne's most popular role may be that of attorney Fred Gailey in Miracle on 34th Street (1947). In May 1961, Payne suffered extensive, life-threatening injuries when struck by a car in New York City. His recovery took two years. His final role was in 1975 when he co-starred with Peter Falk and Janet Leigh in Columbo: Forgotten Lady. Later in life, Payne became wealthy through real estate investments in Southern California. Payne died in Malibu, California of congestive heart failure in December 1989, aged 77. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.