Solid (sometimes to the point of being wooden), average-Joe leading man of the 1940s who specialized in earnest, embittered and/or disillusioned characters. Having worked as an accountant and a singer, Andrews entered films in the early 40s as a supporting player in Westerns. After portraying the victim of a lynch mob in "The Ox-Bow Incident" (1943), his career took off and he starred in a succession of strong vehicles, often as flawed heroes.
Most memorable in urban settings, Andrews successfully teamed up with director Otto Preminger and co-star Gene Tierney for "Laura" (1944) and "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1950); he was equally superb as the re-adjusting bombardier in "The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946) and as the unflinchingly honest prosecuting attorney in Elia Kazan's "Boomerang!" (1947). With his big-screen career on the wane, Andrews starred in prestige TV showcases in the 50s and headlined a daytime soap opera, "Bright Promise", in the late 60s. Andrews' second wife, Mary Todd, was an actress and his brother, Steve Forrest, an actor.
Family
FATHER: Charles Forrest Andrews. Baptist minister.
MOTHER: Anice Andrews.
BROTHER: Steve Forrest. Actor. Perhaps best remembered as the star of the 1970s action series, "S.W.A.T.".
SON: David Murray Andrews. Born on November 30, 1933; died at age 30 on February 15, 1964; mother, Janet Murray.
DAUGHTER: Katharine Andrews. Born on July 10, 1942; mother, Mary Todd.
SON: Stephen Todd Andrews. Born on December 15, 1944; mother, Mary Todd.
DAUGHTER: Susan Diana Andrews. Born on January 29, 1948; mother, Mary Todd.
Companion
WIFE: Janet Murray. Married from 1932 until her death in 1935.
WIFE: Mary Todd. Actor. Married from 1939 until his death in 1992.
Milestone
1930 - 1931: Worked as accountant with Gulf Refining Company and as chief accountant with Tobins Inc.
Sang professionally
Acted with Pasadena Playhouse
1940: Film debut, "The Westerner"
Education
Pasadena Playhouse - Pasadena, California
Teacher's College, Sam Houston State University - Huntsville, Texas
Teacher's College, Sam Houston State University - Huntsville, Texas - business
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