Actor, Singer. He will be best remembered for playing Daddy Warbucks in various renditions of "Annie" around 2000 times. Born George Harvey Presnell, and raised in California, he earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC), but, soon after enrolling, received a like offer from the music department; dropping out of USC, he sang in Europe for three years, and was noticed by Meridith Wilson, who was preparing to bring "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" to Broadway. In 1960, Presnell was to star as Leadville Johnny Brown, opposite Tammy Grimes in the title role; he reprised his part for the 1964 movie, with Debbie Reynolds in the lead. 1960 also saw him take the baritone role in Eugene Ormandy's recording of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". Over his career, Presnell was to have several turns on the silver screen, including the 1969 "Paint Your Wagon", the comedy "Fargo" (1996), and the role of General Marshall in "Saving Private Ryan". From 1979 to 1981, he toured with "Annie", then took Daddy Warbucks to Broadway, staying until the show closed in 1983. He was also to appear in two "Annie" spin-offs, though neither was as successful as the original. In 1984, he took the part of Don Quixote in a revival of "Man of La Mancha". Presnell died of pancreatic cancer; his art is preserved on a number of CDs and DVDs.
Actor, Singer. He will be best remembered for playing Daddy Warbucks in various renditions of "Annie" around 2000 times. Born George Harvey Presnell, and raised in California, he earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC), but, soon after enrolling, received a like offer from the music department; dropping out of USC, he sang in Europe for three years, and was noticed by Meridith Wilson, who was preparing to bring "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" to Broadway. In 1960, Presnell was to star as Leadville Johnny Brown, opposite Tammy Grimes in the title role; he reprised his part for the 1964 movie, with Debbie Reynolds in the lead. 1960 also saw him take the baritone role in Eugene Ormandy's recording of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana". Over his career, Presnell was to have several turns on the silver screen, including the 1969 "Paint Your Wagon", the comedy "Fargo" (1996), and the role of General Marshall in "Saving Private Ryan". From 1979 to 1981, he toured with "Annie", then took Daddy Warbucks to Broadway, staying until the show closed in 1983. He was also to appear in two "Annie" spin-offs, though neither was as successful as the original. In 1984, he took the part of Don Quixote in a revival of "Man of La Mancha". Presnell died of pancreatic cancer; his art is preserved on a number of CDs and DVDs.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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