JEAN HERSHOLT - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 08/21/1948 - HFSID 156989

JEAN HERSHOLT
Jean Hersholt sends a typed letter of thanks for the tribute in the August 31st issue of Look Magazine.
Typed Letter Signed: "Jean Hersholt", 1p, 8¼x10¾. Beverly Hills, California, 1948 August 21. To Mr. Daniel D. Mich, Executive Editor Look Magazine, New York, New York. In full: "I am heartily appreciative of the tribute paid me in the August 31st issue of Look Magazine, and I want to thank you and your associates very much indeed. To receive such recognition is most gratifying. I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for serving as a judge in the 1948 'Dr. Christian' Award radio writing competition. With kindest regards and best wishes, Sincerely," Danish actor Jean Hersholt's (1886-1956) screen image was altered permanently in 1936 when he was cast as Dr. Dafoe, the Canadian obstetrician who delivered the celebrated Dionne Quintuplets, in 20th Century-Fox's The Country Doctor. Plans to create a Dr. Dafoe movie series were blocked by the real Dafoe, but Hersholt was anxious to sustain the characterization of a beneficent, lovable small-town doctor. Thus Dr. Christian, named for Hersholt's favorite author, Hans Christian Andersen, was born. The actor created the role of Dr. Christian on radio in 1937 and then filmed a series of six Christian movies for RKO (1939-1941). Extending the ethics and generosity of Dr. Christian into his private life, Hersholt set up the Motion Picture Relief Fund, which provided medical care and a livable income for actors, directors and other studio employees who were no longer able to care for themselves. While serving as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, he received two honorary Academy Awards for his charity work (1940, 1950). After the actor's death in 1956, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was set up by the Academy to honor conspicuous acts of selflessness and kindness in the movie industry. Fold creases through signature. Red file notation (unknown hand) at lower right corner. Staple holes at upper left corner. Fine condition.