Howard Duff was born in Bremerton, Washington on November 23, 1913. His first film role was as a prisoner in Brute Force (1947). His notable films include The Naked City (1948), All My Sons (1948), Panic in the City (1968), In Search of America (1971), A Wedding (1978), and No Way Out (1987).
He appeared in numerous films with his first wife, actress and director Ida Lupino. One of Duff's last and best performances was as Dustin Hoffman's lawyer in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979).
On radio, Duff worked locally in Seattle-area theater until entering the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He was assigned to their radio service, and announced re-broadcasts prepared for the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS). In this role, he served as the announcer for the drama Suspense, dated March 16, 1943. Duff's most memorable radio role was as Dashiell Hammett's private eye Sam Spade in The Adventures of Sam Spade (1946–1950). Due to accusations of Duff being a communist and with his TV and film career starting to take hold, he ultimately left the program in 1950 at the start of its final season; Stephen Dunne took over the voice role of Sam Spade.
On television, he had several roles, including an episode of the television series Climax! titled "Escape From Fear" in 1955. Duff also appeared alongside Ida Lupino on the CBS sitcom "Mr. Adams and Eve" from January 1957 to September 1958. From October 1960 to April 1961, Duff played the role of Willie Dante on the NBC adventure mystery series "Dante." In 1964, he guest-starred in the episode "Prodigy" on the NBC medical drama "The Eleventh Hour," alongside Jack Ging and Ralph Bellamy.
From September 1966 to January 1969, Duff played Detective Sergeant Sam Stone on the ABC series "Felony Squad," on which he worked with Dennis Cole. In the 1980s, he appeared in dramas such as "Flamingo Road" on NBC and "Knots Landing" and "Dallas," both on CBS.
Duff had a stormy relationship with actress Ava Gardner in the late 1940s. He married fellow actress Ida Lupino in 1951. They had one daughter, Bridget Duff, born on April 23, 1952. They separated in 1966 and divorced in 1984. He later married Judy Jenkinson.
Duff had a stormy relationship with actress Ava Gardner in the late 1940s. He married fellow actress Ida Lupino in 1951. They had one daughter, Bridget Duff, born on April 23, 1952. They separated in 1966 and divorced in 1984. He later married Judy Jenkinson.
Duff died in 1990, at the age of 76, of a heart attack in Santa Barbara, California. He was cremated, and his ashes were given to his family.
