Thinking of John Cullum, notable character actor from Knoxville

By Mike Steely

Senior Writer

steelym@knoxfocus.com

From film’s Grace Moore, Mary Costa, David Keith and Quentin Tarantino, to singers Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini, and comedians Henry Cho and Johnny Knoxville, there are dozens and dozens of talented folks who hail from Knoxville and East Tennessee.

And then there’s one actor and singer I keep running across who is from Knoxville, went to UT, and started his career here. I keep seeing him playing an attorney or judge on one of my favorite TV shows, “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.” It seems there’s no part that the 95-year-old actor couldn’t play and make the character very believable.

I’ve written about him before and he continues to act, not only on television but on Broadway and in films. His face may be familiar to you and you might search your brain for his name.

John Cullum was born in 1930 in Knoxville and was a very good tennis player. His acting began at UT, where he appeared in a dozen plays, was an ROTC officer, and a president of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Most of his family remains in our community. As a youth, Cullum attended old Knoxville High School and he graduated UT with a bachelor’s degree in speech.

Following college, Cullum appeared in TV’s “Shenandoah,” “The Scottsboro Boys,” “Northern Exposure,” “ER,” “Mad Men” and many other plays and television shows.

In 2004, he returned to the Clarence Brown Theatre to star in its production of “The Dresser” along with his son, J. D. Cullum, who is also an actor. Cullum has received several awards, including two Tonys, and a theater at 54th Street in New York City was renamed in 2015 in his honor.

Unlike some actors who don’t watch their appearances, Cullum said he watches his past character roles to see how he could improve. He has fond memories of Knoxville and has often visited here over the years. He lives in New York City and may be one of the most noteworthy of the many media stars from our area. You’ll know him when you see him.