Fred MacMurray had a career that spanned both movies and television for almost 50 years, but he never forgot Beaver Dam and fondly mentioned the city during his career.
He was born in Kankakee, Illinois, on Aug. 30, 1908. His family had a close connection to Beaver Dam, where MacMurray grew up. References of his hometown appear in the 1945 movie “Pardon My Past” as well as scenes in the show “My Three Sons.”
MacMurray's standout performance came with the movie "Grand Old Girl." A scene where he was eating popcorn and having conversation led to a bigger role in 1935's "The Gilded Lily.” Over the years, MacMurray appeared in over 100 films and television shows including “My Three Sons.”
MacMurray, who at one time was one of the wealthiest people in America, was also known for his investments including the 1,500 acre MacMurray Ranch in California, now named the MacMurray Ranch Vineyard. He died on Nov. 5, 1991, at the age of 83.
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Beaver Dam has never forgotten him. He made the first Beaver Dam High School Wall of Fame in 1997, and a mural of MacMurray was placed on the Beaver Dam Community Theatre.
