Van Heflin (December 13, 1908 – July 23, 1971) was an Academy Award-winning American film and theater actor.
Uncle of actress Marta Heflin, Mady Kaplan and Jonathan Kaplan (I).
Turned down the role of Elliot Ness on "Untouchables, The" (1959) TV series.
Brother-in-law of Sol Kaplan.
Daughters: actresses 'Vana OBrien and Cathleen (Kate Heflin). Son: Tracy Heflin. Grandfather of actor 'Ben OBrien (II) and actress 'Eleanor OBrien. Brother of actress Frances Heflin. Uncle of actresses Marta Heflin and Mady Kaplan.
Starred as the title character in NBC Radio's "The Adventures of Philip Marlowe" (1947).
2 daughters, Cathleen ("Kate") and Vana. One son, Tracy.
The heart attack that killed him happened while he was swimming. He managed to get to the pool's ladder, where he held on until found hours later, unconscious but still alive. He died 17 days later, never having regained consciousness.
During WWII, he served as a combat cameraman in the Ninth Air Force in Europe.
His favorite pastime was sailing.
Of French-Irish descent.
His father was a dentist.
His first marriage lasted six months. His wife's identity is unknown, as it happened before he became famous.
Attended UCLA film school after achieving fame as an actor, with the intention of learning filmmaking techniques so as to improve his work as an actor. He wrote about the experience in the October, 1950, issue of "Theatre Arts" magazine.
