DURING HOLLYWOOD?S Golden Age, when an actor was needed for the role of a dignified middle-aged man, Walter Pidgeon was always a reliable choice.

In the ?40s, he portrayed the principled husband of Greer Garson in ?Mrs. Miniver.? The actor was the perfect foil for Garson?s feisty character. They were both Oscar-nominated for their performances in the film, although it was the lovely Irish import who walked away with the golden statuette.

Tycoons

Years later, Pidgeon played respected tycoons in films like ?Executive Suite,? with Barbara Stanwyck, and ?Funny Girl? with Barbara Streisand. At 6?2?, he was tall, dark and handsome.

Born on Sept. 23, 1897, the actor studied at the New England Music Conservatory after his early years in New Brunswick. After his musical training, he appeared in countless musicals including ?Rosemarie.?

Pidgeon appeared in silent films like 1926?s ?Mannequin? and ?Sumuru? the following year. He then moved to MGM, where he was cast in supporting roles (?Saratoga,? ?The Girl of the Golden West?). He was only given top billing when MGM loaned him to Fox for ?How Green Was My Valley.?

Upon his return to his home studio, he was often paired with Garson. He remained in the movies until the mid-?60s, but retired due to poor health. He passed away on Sept. 25, 1984.

Pidgeon could hardly remember names, so he called everybody ?Joe.? Later, the cast of one of his movies gifted him with a director?s chair, on which was written the name, ?Joe Pidgeon.?

He may have been forgetful, but film buffs these days continue to remember Walter Pidgeon and the colorful characters he portrayed in the movies.