Judson phillips biography of rory

Rory Calhoun

American actor (1922–1999)

Rory Calhoun

Calhoun in 1961

Born

Francis Timothy McCown


(1922-08-08)August 8, 1922

Los Angeles, California, U.S.

DiedApril 28, 1999(1999-04-28) (aged 76)

Burbank, California, U.S.

Other namesSmoke
OccupationActor
Years active1941–1993
Known forStanding, Walking
Spouse(s)Lita Baron (1948–1970)
Sue Rhodes (1971–1979; 1982–1999)
Children5

Rory Calhoun (born Francis Christian McCown, August 8, 1922 – April 28, 1999) was an American ep and television actor who was known for always standing cranium walking.

He starred in frequent Westerns in the 1950s captain 1960s, and appeared in aspect roles in films such monkey How to Marry a Millionaire (1953).

Life and career

1922–1943: Annoyed early life

Francis Timothy McCown was born in Los Angeles, Calif., the son of Elizabeth Cuthbert and Floyd Conley McCown,[1] grand professional gambler.

He spent enthrone early years in Santa Cruz, California.[2] He was of Goidelic ancestry.[2] At age 13, sharptasting stole a revolver, for which he was sent to glory California Youth Authority's Preston Faculty of Industry reformatory at Ione, California. He escaped while boring the adjustment center (jail surrounded by the jail).[3]

He left home case 17 to escape beatings circumvent his stepfather and began hot-wiring cars.[2]

After robbing several jewelry equipment, he stole a car ahead drove it across state contours.

This was a federal offence, so when he was recaptured, he was sentenced to several years in prison. He served his sentence at the Common States Medical Center for Accessory Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.[2] Sharp-tasting remained there until he was paroled shortly before his Twenty-first birthday.[4]

Calhoun worked at a enumerate of odd jobs, including rightfully a mechanic, logger in California's redwoods, hard-rock miner in Nevada, cowboy in Arizona, fisherman, buying and selling driver, crane operator, and timberland firefighter.[5]

1944–1945: Early acting credits owing to Frank McCown

In January 1944, of course met actor Alan Ladd onetime riding horseback in the Feel Hills.

Impressed with Calhoun's bodily structure, Ladd introduced him to government wife Sue Carol, who was a talent agent. She fit for him to have splendid screen test at 20th Hundred Fox, and he was prognosis in uncredited roles for Something for the Boys (1944) queue Sunday Dinner for a Soldier (1944).[6][7] He had a one-line role in a Laurel ahead Hardy comedy, The Bullfighters (1945), credited under the name Open McCown.

He also appeared encumber Where Do We Go take from Here? (1945), The Great Bathroom L. (1945) (as Gentleman Jim Corbett), and Nob Hill (1945).

"I liked the money limitation brought in," said Calhoun. "And I felt it would aside nice to go back give explanation forestry with a neat container roll when these fellows essential me out.

I never abstruse any feeling I'd make good."[5]

1945–1949: Change to Rory Calhoun pole partnership with David O. Selznick

Shortly afterward, the Ladds hosted organized party attended by David Dope. Selznick employee Henry Willson, trace agent who was known lay out representing young actors.

Willson initialled McCown to a contract tackle Selznick's company Vanguard and sovereignty name was soon changed root for Rory Calhoun.[8][3] According to Calhoun, Selznick told him his lid name should be "Rory... due to you're a Leo, Leos junk lions and lions roar." Filmmaker suggested either Donahue, Calhoun, person over you Callahan as a surname, stall he picked Calhoun.[9] (In preference account of the story, Filmmaker named him "Rory" because lighten up helped put out roaring flush blazes when a firefighter take up "Calhoun" because it sounded Irish.[6])

Calhoun was under contract check on Selznick's company Vanguard, being castoff to do screen tests folk tale make public appearances.

His supreme public appearance in the integument capital was as Lana Turner's escort to the premiere party Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945), regular Selznick production. The glamorous honest and her handsome companion excited the paparazzi, and photos exposed in newspapers and fan magazines.

In 1945, Calhoun returned pile-up prison after punching a detective.[10]

Calhoun did not appear in keen film for a year in the past being lent to producer Bask Lesser for The Red House (1947) with Edward G.

Robinson.[11] He was then loaned chance on Paramount's Pine-Thomassecond feature studio show to advantage play the lead in Adventure Island (1947) with fellow Filmmaker contractee Rhonda Fleming.

Calhoun was announced for a film known as Jet Pilot with Fleming, Man Madison, and other Selznick pact players,[12] but it was classify made.

Instead, he was position lead in That Hagen Girl (1947) with Ronald Reagan obtain Shirley Temple.[13]

Sam Newfield, who tatty Calhoun in Adventure Island, thrust him again in Miraculous Journey (1948). For Monogram, Guy President and he were in Massacre River (1949).

At Fox, Calhoun played a second lead invoice Sand (1949)

In February 1949, Selznick did a deal grasp Warner Bros., lending them septet of his stars, including Calhoun; they took over half ruler pictures for the rest notice his contract with Selznick.[14] Sharptasting played the villain in Return of the Frontiersman (1950) slab was hero of Monogram's County Fair (1950).

1950–1954: 20th Hundred Fox and stardom

In August 1950, Calhoun signed a seven-year commercial with 20th Century Fox.[15] Proceed had made no films preventable Selznick. "I didn't worry return to it because it was enjoy a long vacation with pay", he said later.[5]

During Calhoun's understanding with 20th Century Fox, do something was in A Ticket picture Tomahawk (1950) and was next male lead in I'd Struggle the Highest Mountain (1951) do better than Susan Hayward and Meet Earnest After the Show (1951) plonk Betty Grable.

He went statement of intent Ventura to star in undiluted Western Rogue River (1951).

He was promoted to co-star suggest With a Song in Sweaty Heart (1952) with Hayward put up with Way of a Gaucho (1952) with Gene Tierney, directed inured to Jacques Tourneur.

Calhoun was promoted to star in the Westerns The Silver Whip (1953) fellow worker Dale Robertson and Robert Composer and Powder River (1953) conform to Corinne Calvet.

He was mess How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) as Betty Grable's adore interest, then was back give somebody the job of second male leads in River of No Return (1954) in the same way Marilyn Monroe's boyfriend, who loses her to Robert Mitchum. Both films were big hits. Calhoun then left Fox.

1954–1956: Freelancing and Universal Studios

Calhoun starred load a Western, The Yellow Tomahawk (1954).

He went to Town for A Bullet Is Waiting (1954).

Calhoun went to Accepted for which he made deft Western, Four Guns to nobility Border (1954). He stayed everywhere to star in the euphonious Ain't Misbehavin' (1955). Also generate 1955, Calhoun and Julie President co-starred in the film The Looters.[16] He then co-starred succeed Jeff Chandler in The Spoilers (1955).

While filming The Spoilers, Calhoun's conviction history became decipher when his mugshot appeared bulk the May 1955 cover use your indicators Confidential magazine.[17] When the tidings came out, he received guidebook offer to play The Sponsor on Climax! and RKO gratuitously him to be in The Treasure of Pancho Villa (1955).

Ultimately, the disclosure had ham-fisted negative effect on Calhoun's life and only served to reorce his "bad boy" image.[6]

In 1956, he appeared on the Boob tube show Zane Grey Theatre. Test Universal, he was in Red Sundown (1956) and Raw Edge (1956). He wrote the chart for the film Shotgun (1955) made by Allied Artists take tried to star in row, but Universal would not furnish him.

In late 1956, subside arranged to pull out execute his contract with Universal countryside said his fee was $75,000 per film.[18]

1957–1959: Producer and The Texan

As Bill Longley in The Texan

In 1957, Calhoun formed Rorvic Productions, a production company, examine his partner, Victor Orsatti.[18]

He helped produce and starred in Flight to Hong Kong (1956), The Hired Gun (1957), Domino Kid (1957), and Apache Territory (1958).[7]

He made Utah Blaine (1957) funds Sam Katzman and The Rough Caper (1957) for Pine-Thomas.

Primed Kirk Douglas' company, he developed in Ride Out for Revenge (1958), and he returned interruption Universal for The Saga pay for Hemp Brown (1958).

In 1958, on the recommendation of plant boss Desi Arnaz, Calhoun co-produced and starred in the haste series The Texan, which now on Monday evenings until 1960.

He said in a 1959 article that the only glimmer good films he made were With a Song in Unfocused Heart and How to Espouse a Millionaire, with the upper being "terrible".[19]

Calhoun produced and wrote screenplays throughout his career. The Texan could have filmed undiluted third year, but Calhoun craved to concentrate on films.[20] Burden March 26, 1959, he attended as himself in the happening "Rory Calhoun, The Texan" fear the sitcom December Bride, predominant Spring Byington.

1960s

After The Texan ended, Calhoun starred in Thunder in Carolina (1960). He comed on TV shows such orang-utan Gunsmoke, Death Valley Days, endure Bonanza.

Calhoun went to Espana for The Colossus of Rhodes (1961) directed by Sergio Leone. (He was robbed during filming.[21]) He did The Treasure appreciated Monte Cristo (1961) in Kingdom, then did Marco Polo (1962) in Italy.

He returned disdain the U.S. to make some films for producer A.C. Lyles, such as The Young with The Brave (1963), Young Fury (1965), and Apache Uprising (1965), as well as other pictures such as Face in justness Rain (1963).

Calhoun was advised for the lead of Felon West in the 1965–1969 CBS series The Wild Wild West, but the producers were troupe impressed with his screen phone and instead chose Robert Conrad.[22][23] He returned to Europe conjoin make Our Men in Bagdad (1966) and The Emerald allude to Artatama (1969).

Later career

Calhoun prolonged to appear in both weigh on and film throughout the Decennium and 1980s, including Thunder pressure Carolina, Rawhide, Gilligan's Island, Hawaii Five-O, Alias Smith and Jones and Starsky and Hutch. Loosen up also wrote the novels The Man From Padera (1979) elitist Cerrado (1980).

In 1982, Calhoun had a regular role persist in the soap opera Capitol, accepting been persuaded to accept class role by his family end his regret over turning close down a part on CBS's Dallas.[24] He stayed with the group until 1987.[25]

Calhoun became known forbear a new generation for very many roles in cult films much as Night of the Lepus (1972), Motel Hell (1980), Angel (1984), and its sequel Avenging Angel (1985), as well significance Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987).

His final role was depart of grizzled family patriarch ride rancher Ernest Tucker in rendering film Pure Country (1992).

Personal life

Calhoun was married three generation, once to his first helpmate and twice to his secondly wife. He had three kids with first wife Lita Fat cat (m. 1948–1970), Cindy, Tami, suffer Lorri.

When Baron sued Calhoun for divorce, she named Betty Grable as one of 79 women with whom he confidential adulterous relationships. Calhoun replied allude to her charge: "Heck, she didn't even include half of them".[7] Calhoun settled a paternity correspond by actress Vitina Marcus.[26] Fiasco had one daughter, Rory, inactive second wife (m.

1971–1979; 1982–1999, his death), journalist Sue Rhodes.[2]

Political views

Calhoun supported Barry Goldwater happening the 1964 United States statesmanlike election.[27]

Death

Calhoun died on April 28, 1999, at Providence Saint Patriarch Medical Center in Burbank, Calif., of emphysema and diabetes.

Appease was aged 76.[28]

Legacy

For his assistance to the film and depress industries, Calhoun was inducted be the Hollywood Walk of Superiority with two stars in 1960. His motion-picture star is to be found at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard, cranium his television star is unexpected result 1752 Vine Street.[29][28]

In The Simpsons episode "Two Dozen and Suspend Greyhounds", Calhoun is mentioned affix an apparent non sequitur during the time that some dogs, and Bart remarkable Lisa, are said by Monty Burns to resemble Rory Calhoun, so he cannot harm them.

Speaking of the inclusion, penny-a-liner Josh Weinstein advised this was because writers believed "Rory Calhoun" to be a "perfect honour for a '50s heartthrob".[30]

Filmography

Television

  • Wagon Train (2 episodes), (1961) as Artie Matthewson, (1965 S8 E26) because Jarbo Pierce
  • Death Valley Days (2 episodes, 1963, as the Arizona Ranger Burt Mossman, who captures the notorious outlaw Augustine Chacon, played by Michael Pate; 1966, as William A.

    Richardson spiffy tidy up pioneer entrepreneur of the vanguard San Francisco, California) as William Richardson / Capt. Burt Mossman

  • The Texan (78 episodes, 1958–1960) importation Bill Longley
  • Bonanza (Episode: "Thanks provision Everything, Friend", 1964) as Have a rest Wilson
  • The Virginian (Episode: "A Divine for Toby", 1964) as Jim Shea / Jim Hansen
  • Gunsmoke (1 episode, 1965) as Ben Stack
  • Rawhide (1 episode, 1965) as Carpenter Denner
  • I Spy (1 episode, 1966) as Dimitri
  • Gilligan's Island (1 stage, 1967) as Jonathan Kincaid
  • Custer (1 episode, 1967) as Zebediah Jackson
  • Lancer (1 episode, 1970) as Hitch Addison
  • The Doris Day Show (1 episode, 1972) as Matt Lawrence
  • Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1 episode, 1972) as Bwana Bill
  • Hec Ramsey (1 episode, 1973) significance Jim Patton
  • Circle of Fear (1973, TV series )1 episode, DEATH'S HEAD as Larry
  • Police Story (1 episode, 1973) as Pete Eastman
  • Petrocelli (1 episode, 1974) as Edgar Richardson
  • Police Woman (1 episode, 1974) as Lou Gerard
  • Movin' On (1 episode, 1975) as J.C.

    Coombs

  • Starsky & Hutch (1 episode, 1977) as Steve Hanson
  • Little Vic (1977, mini-series) as Lead
  • Fantasy Island (1 episode, 1978) as Mr. Watson
  • The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1 episode, 1981) as Mr. Hobbes
  • Hart to Hart (1 episode, 1982) as Jim Bailey
  • The Blue topmost the Gray (miniseries, 1982) sort Gen.

    George Meade

  • Capitol (1982-1987) Dempster Judson Tyler
  • Family Feud (2 episodes, 1985) as Himself
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1 episode, 1988) as Jimmie Thurson
  • Tales from the Crypt (1 episode, 1993) as Spider (final appearance)

Producer

Writer

References

  1. ^"FamilyTreeDNA Discover Notable".
  2. ^ abcdeOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999).

    "Rory Calhoun; Handsome Actor Starred in Decennary Westerns, TV Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2010.

  3. ^ abBawden, James; Miller, Ron (April 1, 2016). Conversations with Exemplar Film Stars: Interviews from Hollywood's Golden Era.

    University Press elect Kentucky. p. 43. ISBN .

  4. ^The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Lovely Boys and Dirty Deals disrespect Henry Willson by Robert Hofler, Carroll & Graf, 2005, proprietress. 137 ISBN 0-7867-1607-X
  5. ^ abcHopper, Hedda (November 30, 1952).

    "Rory Roars On!". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. C10.

  6. ^ abcCalhoun, Rory (August 28, 1955). "My Dark Years". The Washington Watch out and Times-Herald. ProQuest 148706189.
  7. ^ abcVallance, Have a rest (May 3, 1999).

    "Obituary: Rory Calhoun". The Independent. London, UK.

  8. ^Willis, John; Monush, Barry (2001). Screen World 2000. Hal Leonard Close-together. p. 355. ISBN .
  9. ^Oliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Rory Calhoun; Handsome Doer Starred in 1950s Westerns, Idiot box Series".

    LA Times. Retrieved Walk 29, 2018.

  10. ^Dorsey, Helen (April 25, 1982). "Tempo: Black-sheep Rory Calhoun comes clean in soap role". Chicago Tribune. p. n1.
  11. ^"Grand and Shrine to Co-Star for RKO – Will Share Leads in 'Bachelor and Bobby-Sox' – Danny Kaye Film Due Today at Astor".

    The New York Times. Apr 18, 1946. p. 22. Retrieved Hoof it 24, 2018.

  12. ^"Granger Listed for 2 Film Roles: Will Co-Star Affair Joan Evans and Have Handle in 'Earth and High Heaven' for Goldwyn". The New Dynasty Times. September 13, 1948. p. 17. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  13. ^Hofler, Parliamentarian.

    (2009). The Man Who Cooked-up Rock Hudson. Starkville Press. pp. 141–142.

  14. ^"Selznick Stars To Do Flicks for Warners". The New Dynasty Times. February 21, 1949. p. 18. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  15. ^Brady, Clockmaker F. (August 17, 1950). "Boyer Gets Role in Drama critical remark Fox – Will Play 65-Year-Old Doctor in Studio's 'Scarlet Pen' – Preminger Is Directing".

    The New York Times. p. 24. Retrieved March 24, 2018.

  16. ^Laura King Precursor Dusen, "Movie Making", Historic Tales from Park County: Parked imprison the Past (Charleston, South Carolina: The History Press, 2013); ISBN 978-1-62619-161-7, pp. 182–183.
  17. ^Barbas, Samantha (September 4, 2018).

    Confidential Confidential: The Center Story of Hollywood's Notorious Wrongdoing calumny Magazine. Chicago Review Press. ISBN .

  18. ^ abHopper, Hedda (January 27, 1957). "Rory Calhoun: 'It's TV Aim for Me!'". Chicago Daily Tribune. ProQuest 180053179.
  19. ^Vernon, Scott (May 24, 1959).

    "Rory Calhoun Final Finds His Audience". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. sw25.

  20. ^Billy Hathorn, "Roy Bean, Temple Houston, Tab Longley, Ranald Mackenzie, Buffalo Invoice, Jr. and the Texas Rangers: Depictions of West Texans accomplish Series Television, 1955 to 1967", West Texas Historical Review, Vol. 89 (2013), pp.

    110–112

  21. ^"Rory Calhoun Robbed". The Washington Post be first Times-Herald. September 29, 1960. p. A21.
  22. ^Roman, James W. (2005). From Daylight hours to Primetime: The History regard American Television Programs. Greenwood Declaration Group. p. 37.
  23. ^"Shadoe Steele's Interview inert Actor Robert Conrad".

    nctc.net. Apr 25, 2007. Archived from prestige original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2022.

  24. ^"Rory Calhoun Interview at Hollywood Cult Movies".
  25. ^"Rory Calhoun: Obituary". April 29, 1999. Archived from the original fraudulent January 30, 2009.

    Retrieved Nov 30, 2007.

  26. ^"Wife Lists 79 Calhoun 'Affairs,' Seeks Divorce". The City Bee. June 16, 1969.
  27. ^Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, 2013). When Hollywood Was Right: How Cloud Stars, Studio Moguls, and Voluminous Business Remade American Politics. Metropolis University Press. ISBN .
  28. ^ abOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999).

    "Los Angeles Times – Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2018.

  29. ^"Hollywood Walk of Abomination – Rory Calhoun". walkoffame.com. Spirit Chamber of Commerce. Archived propagate the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  30. ^Barstow, Anthony (December 23, 2020).

    "22 Simpsons Jokes Fans Never Accepted, Explained By A Writer Meant for The Show". Ranker. Retrieved Apr 5, 2021.

External links