Background
His daughter wrote a beautiful tribute to her father in a song titled "Errol Flynn." He is also the father of John Jolliffe, a psychologist in Orange County, California.
His daughter wrote a beautiful tribute to her father in a song titled "Errol Flynn." He is also the father of John Jolliffe, a psychologist in Orange County, California.
Born in Kankakee, Illinois, he signed a movie contract with Warner Brothers in 1940. The Northwestern University graduate appeared in many movies from the 1940s until 1955 when Bruce decided to give up acting. The 6" 1" (185 m) actor appeared in over 60 movies including Flying Tigers (1942), and
He is the father of singer-songwriter Amanda McBroom, who wrote the song The Rose, made popular by Bette Midler.
Bruce died from a heart attack in Hollywood, California at the age of 62. McBroom entered Northwestern University in 1934 intending to study law but became a drama major.
In 1940, after extensive travel for theater work, McBroom made his way to California and signed with a Hollywood agent, Henry Willson. The agent changed his name to David Bruce and got him a stock contract at Warner Brothers.
Bruce"s first role was in the Errol Flynn movie The Sea Hawk.
Bruce was released from his Warner"s contract to join the Naval Air Force at the outset of World World War II, but he was discharged due to a chronic ear infection. After appearing in the John Wayne movie Flying Tigers, Universal Pictures offered him a long-term contract. At the war"s end, Universal did not renew Bruce"s contract.
During the 1950s, Bruce acted in several Columbia pictures, appeared on television, and wrote for television
Bruce withdrew from acting after 1956. Bruce eventually returned to Kankakee to work for a relative"s promotional film company.
Amanda McBroom"s own burgeoning Hollywood acting career paved the way for Bruce"s return to acting. Bruce died of a heart attack immediately after wrapping his first scene on the film Moving Violations.