Harve Presnell was a distinguished American bass-baritone whose career spanned opera, Broadway, film, and television, earning him wide recognition for both his vocal power and dramatic authority. He achieved major Broadway success as the original Johnny “Leadville” Brown in a new Broadway musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown, a role that showcased his resonant voice and regal stage presence and remains one of the defining performances in American musical theatre history.
Presnell was also a respected opera singer, appearing with leading companies including the New York City Opera, and later became a familiar figure on screen with notable film roles such as General George Marshall in Saving Private Ryan, along with acclaimed performances in Fargo, and Paint Your Wagon. His appearances at Denver’s Historic Elitch Theatre place him among the theatre’s notable alumni and underscore Elitch’s long-standing role in nurturing artists who went on to achieve national prominence across multiple performance disciplines.
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1970
- 1986
Productions/Roles:
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- General George C. Marshall in Saving Private Ryan
- Wade Gustafson in Fargo
- Rotten Luck Willie in Paint Your Wagon singing “They Call the Wind Maria“
- Presnell sang the baritone role in Eugene Ormandy‘s 1960 recording of Carmina Burana.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- Presnell appeared in the the original Broadway production of The Unsinkable Molly Brown and the opening cast included Elitch Alums, Debbie Reynolds, Tammy Grimes, and Jack Harrold.
Wikipedia Link:
