“Don Murray, Oscar-nominated star of “Bus Stop” and “Twin Peaks”: “The Return”, such a beauty at 94″

Don Murray, the accomplished actor renowned for his Oscar-nominated role opposite Marilyn Monroe in 1956’s “Bus Stop,” has passed away at 94, according to his son Christopher, as reported by The New York Times. The announcement did not include additional details about his demise.

Murray, who began as a conscientious objector during the Korean War, gained recognition for his work in socially conscious films. His debut in “Bus Stop” was a highlight, playing the enamored cowboy Beau Decker. Over the years, he showcased his versatility in films like Fred Zinnemann’s “A Hatful of Rain” (1957) and Otto Preminger’s “Advise & Consent” (1962), where he portrayed a morphine-addicted war veteran and a closeted gay senator, respectively.

His filmography includes diverse roles such as “Baby the Rain Must Fall” (1965) alongside Steve McQueen and “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” (1972). On television, Murray starred in “Knot’s Landing” (1979–1981) and the pioneering 1968-69 Western series “The Outcasts” with Otis Young.

 

Born on July 31, 1929, in Hollywood, Murray made his Broadway debut in 1951 and returned to the stage periodically. In 1970, he co-wrote and directed “The Cross and the Switchblade.” Murray had two marriages, first to Hope Lange and later to actress Elizabeth Johnson. Information about survivors was not immediately available. Murray’s impactful career spanned into the 21st century, with a notable appearance in “Twin Peaks: The Return” in 2017, marking the end of an era in the entertainment industry.