Trivia

One of only six actors to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his first screen appearance. The other five are Orson Welles, Paul Muni, Alan Arkin, James Dean and Montgomery Clift.

Pictured on one of a set of four 32¢ US commemorative postage stamps in the Legends of American Music series, issued 10 September 1997, celebrating opera singers. Other singers honored in this issue are Lily Pons, Rosa Ponselle, and Richard Tucker.

Awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6325 Hollywood Blvd.

Is portrayed by Joe Baker in Bugsy (1991).

Interred at Forest Lawn (Glendale), Glendale, CA, in the Whispering Pines section, lot #794.

Children: twin sons, Lawrence Tibbett Jr. and Richard Mackay Tibbett, Michael Edward Tibbett.

Son Richard Mackay Tibbett was born in 1920 (he married in 1951 and had three children and six grandchildren).

His father, William E. Tibbet, was Sheriff of Kern County (CA). He was killed while capturing a notorious bandit named McKinney.

He was one of the first grand opera stars to be heard in talking pictures.

Won fame with his singing while at school. and studied singing in New York.

He was the principal singer in the New York Met for 27 seasons.

Became an overnight sensation at the Metropolitan Opera when he sang the role of Ford in Giuseppe Verdi's "Falstaff".

His last name was variously spelled "Tibbet" or "Tibbett." Upon signing his first contract with the Metropolitan Opera, he permanently selected the latter spelling.

Had dark hair and blue eyes.

Educated at Los Angeles schools.

In 1941 he had to temporarily retire with what was called severe 'spasticity of the larynx muscle'.

Has never appeared in a film nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

In March 1934 it was reported that producer Edward Small had signed him for five movies. Ultimately none were made.

Variety, October 12, 1938: "Mrs. Lawrence Tibbett recovered $20,000 in jewels, stolen aboard a steamer while enroute from an Australian tour.".