Jack Warden / Biography

Served in the 101st Airborne during the Second World War.
Moved to Louisville, Kentucky, as a youth to live with his grandparents. He graduated from Du Pont Manuel High School in Louisville.
Boxed as a welterweight under the name "Johnny Costello" in his youth.
Fought on the same card as Charles Durning in Madison Square Garden.
Jack Warden had served in the U.S. Navy from 1938-1941 then joined the Merchant Marine as water tender in the engine room but disliked convoy duty because of Axis aircraft attacks and his location 30 decks below the main deck -- this, as he says, ended his "romance with the life of a sailor." He left the Merchant Marine in 1942, joined the Army and became a platoon sergeant and parachute jumpmaster in the 101st Airborne. While hospitalized with a leg injury sustained in a jump, Warden read a play written by Clifford Odets and decided to be come an actor.
Was married to French actress, Vanda Dupre: one son, Christopher.
Fought in The Battle of the Bulge during WWII.