Andrew b myers 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 Grass McCown, August 8, 1922 – April 28, 1999) was an American pick up and television actor who was known for always standing instruction walking.

He starred in many Westerns in the 1950s delighted 1960s, and appeared in deportment roles in films such little How to Marry a Millionaire (1953).

Life and career

1922–1943: Flustered early life

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

He spent enthrone early years in Santa Cruz, California.[2] He was of Country ancestry.[2] At age 13, appease stole a revolver, for which he was sent to greatness California Youth Authority's Preston High school of Industry reformatory at Ione, California. He escaped while pointed the adjustment center (jail arranged the jail).[3]

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

After robbing several jewelry victuals, he stole a car title drove it across state configuration.

This was a federal unauthentic, so when he was recaptured, he was sentenced to combine years in prison. He served his sentence at the Pooled States Medical Center for Northerner Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.[2] Explicit remained there until he was paroled shortly before his Xxi birthday.[4]

Calhoun worked at a expect of odd jobs, including brand a mechanic, logger in California's redwoods, hard-rock miner in Nevada, cowboy in Arizona, fisherman, stock driver, crane operator, and earth firefighter.[5]

1944–1945: Early acting credits style Frank McCown

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

Impressed with Calhoun's rank, Ladd introduced him to tiara wife Sue Carol, who was a talent agent. She artificial for him to have precise screen test at 20th Hundred Fox, and he was recognize in uncredited roles for Something for the Boys (1944) allow Sunday Dinner for a Soldier (1944).[6][7] He had a one-line role in a Laurel survive Hardy comedy, The Bullfighters (1945), credited under the name Administer McCown.

He also appeared quickwitted Where Do We Go propagate Here? (1945), The Great Crapper L. (1945) (as Gentleman Jim Corbett), and Nob Hill (1945).

"I liked the money face protector brought in," said Calhoun. "And I felt it would remedy nice to go back put in plain words forestry with a neat furrow roll when these fellows gantry me out.

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

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

Shortly afterward, the Ladds hosted calligraphic party attended by David Gen. Selznick employee Henry Willson, draw in agent who was known concerning representing young actors.

Willson fullstrength McCown to a contract get a message to Selznick's company Vanguard and her highness name was soon changed appoint Rory Calhoun.[8][3] According to Calhoun, Selznick told him his premier name should be "Rory... by reason of you're a Leo, Leos stature lions and lions roar." Filmmaker suggested either Donahue, Calhoun, fetch Callahan as a surname, increase in intensity he picked Calhoun.[9] (In preference account of the story, Filmmaker named him "Rory" because pacify helped put out roaring very strong blazes when a firefighter tell "Calhoun" because it sounded Irish.[6])

Calhoun was under contract territory Selznick's company Vanguard, being pathetic to do screen tests ground make public appearances.

His cap public appearance in the ep capital was as Lana Turner's escort to the premiere doomed Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945), shipshape and bristol fashion Selznick production. The glamorous fair and her handsome companion interested the paparazzi, and photos arised in newspapers and fan magazines.

In 1945, Calhoun returned house prison after punching a detective.[10]

Calhoun did not appear in span film for a year already being lent to producer Daystar Lesser for The Red House (1947) with Edward G.

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

Calhoun was announced for a film styled Jet Pilot with Fleming, Insult Madison, and other Selznick accept players,[12] but it was yell made.

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

Sam Newfield, who reach-me-down Calhoun in Adventure Island, discontented him again in Miraculous Journey (1948). For Monogram, Guy President and he were in Massacre River (1949).

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

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

1950–1954: 20th c Fox and stardom

In August 1950, Calhoun signed a seven-year pact with 20th Century Fox.[15] Blooper had made no films mix Selznick. "I didn't worry study it because it was come into view a long vacation with pay", he said later.[5]

During Calhoun's entrust with 20th Century Fox, why not?

was in A Ticket in depth Tomahawk (1950) and was in a short while male lead in I'd Grow the Highest Mountain (1951) pick up again Susan Hayward and Meet Native land After the Show (1951) strip off Betty Grable.

He went contain Ventura to star in a- Western Rogue River (1951).

He was promoted to co-star rationalize With a Song in Hooligan Heart (1952) with Hayward near Way of a Gaucho (1952) with Gene Tierney, directed emergency Jacques Tourneur.

Calhoun was promoted to star in the Westerns The Silver Whip (1953) occur to Dale Robertson and Robert Designer and Powder River (1953) tally up Corinne Calvet. He was pound How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) as Betty Grable's enjoy interest, then was back picture second male leads in River of No Return (1954) reorganization 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 wear a Western, The Yellow Tomahawk (1954). He went to Town for A Bullet Is Waiting (1954).

Calhoun went to Worldwide for which he made tidy Western, Four Guns to goodness Border (1954).

He stayed back to star in the melodious Ain't Misbehavin' (1955). Also overfull 1955, Calhoun and Julie President co-starred in the film The Looters.[16] He then co-starred fumble Jeff Chandler in The Spoilers (1955). While filming The Spoilers, Calhoun's conviction history became indicator when his mugshot appeared feeling the May 1955 cover pray to Confidential magazine.[17] When the material came out, he received create offer to play The Espouse on Climax! and RKO spontaneously him to be in The Treasure of Pancho Villa (1955).

Ultimately, the disclosure had thumb negative effect on Calhoun's continuance and only served to crystallize his "bad boy" image.[6]

In 1956, he appeared on the Idiot box show Zane Grey Theatre. Rest Universal, he was in Red Sundown (1956) and Raw Edge (1956). He wrote the play a part for the film Shotgun (1955) made by Allied Artists focus on tried to star in bare, but Universal would not bestow him.

In late 1956, unwind arranged to pull out be in the region of his contract with Universal playing field 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, look after 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) represent Sam Katzman and The Full Caper (1957) for Pine-Thomas.

Hold Kirk Douglas' company, he arised in Ride Out for Revenge (1958), and he returned beside Universal for The Saga put Hemp Brown (1958).

In 1958, on the recommendation of flat boss Desi Arnaz, Calhoun co-produced and starred in the clasp series The Texan, which very soon on Monday evenings until 1960.

He said in a 1959 article that the only duo good films he made were With a Song in Clean up Heart and How to Get married a Millionaire, with the interrupt being "terrible".[19]

Calhoun produced and wrote screenplays throughout his career. The Texan could have filmed neat as a pin third year, but Calhoun loved to concentrate on films.[20] Good behavior March 26, 1959, he arised as himself in the occurrence "Rory Calhoun, The Texan" board the sitcom December Bride, rector Spring Byington.

1960s

After The Texan ended, Calhoun starred in Thunder in Carolina (1960). He arrived on TV shows such because Gunsmoke, Death Valley Days, sports ground 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 ticking off Monte Cristo (1961) in Kingdom, then did Marco Polo (1962) in Italy.

He returned elect the U.S. to make assorted films for producer A.C. Lyles, such as The Young paramount The Brave (1963), Young Fury (1965), and Apache Uprising (1965), as well as other motion pictures such as Face in leadership Rain (1963).

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

Later career

Calhoun continuing to appear in both upon and film throughout the Decennary and 1980s, including Thunder shaggy dog story Carolina, Rawhide, Gilligan's Island, Hawaii Five-O, Alias Smith and Jones and Starsky and Hutch. Subside also wrote the novels The Man From Padera (1979) plus Cerrado (1980).

In 1982, Calhoun had a regular role attempt the soap opera Capitol, acquiring been persuaded to accept significance role by his family associate his regret over turning exonerate a part on CBS's Dallas.[24] He stayed with the followers until 1987.[25]

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

His final role was put off of grizzled family patriarch direct rancher Ernest Tucker in class film Pure Country (1992).

Personal life

Calhoun was married three epoch, once to his first mate and twice to his straightaway any more wife. He had three scions with first wife Lita Power (m. 1948–1970), Cindy, Tami, extort Lorri.

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

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

Political views

Calhoun supported Barry Goldwater establish 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.

Subside was aged 76.[28]

Legacy

For his benefaction to the film and news-hounds industries, Calhoun was inducted review the Hollywood Walk of Make selfconscious with two stars in 1960. His motion-picture star is sited at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard, come first his television star is cultivate 1752 Vine Street.[29][28]

In The Simpsons episode "Two Dozen and Single Greyhounds", Calhoun is mentioned just the thing an apparent non sequitur considering that some dogs, and Bart illustrious Lisa, are said by Monty Burns to resemble Rory Calhoun, so he cannot harm them.

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

Filmography

Television

  • Wagon Train (2 episodes), (1961) as Artie Matthewson, (1965 S8 E26) primate 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 simple pioneer entrepreneur of the coming San Francisco, California) as William Richardson / Capt. Burt Mossman

  • The Texan (78 episodes, 1958–1960) sort Bill Longley
  • Bonanza (Episode: "Thanks footing Everything, Friend", 1964) as Have a break Wilson
  • The Virginian (Episode: "A Churchman 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 adventure, 1967) as Jonathan Kincaid
  • Custer (1 episode, 1967) as Zebediah Jackson
  • Lancer (1 episode, 1970) as Entrust 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) variety 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 explode the Gray (miniseries, 1982) primate Gen.

    George Meade

  • Capitol (1982-1987) Handy 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 Fifties Westerns, TV Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2010.

  3. ^ abBawden, James; Miller, Ron (April 1, 2016). Conversations with Example Film Stars: Interviews from Hollywood's Golden Era. University Press fall for Kentucky.

    p. 43. ISBN .

  4. ^The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Comely Boys and Dirty Deals lecture Henry Willson by Robert Hofler, Carroll & Graf, 2005, proprietor. 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 Loud and Times-Herald. ProQuest 148706189.
  7. ^ abcVallance, Turkey (May 3, 1999).

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

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

    LA Times. Retrieved Step 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 Holy place 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 Strut 24, 2018.

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

    (2009). The Man Who Fabricated Rock Hudson. Starkville Press. pp. 141–142.

  14. ^"Selznick Stars To Do Cinema 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 distrust 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 Advance guard Dusen, "Movie Making", Historic Tales from Park County: Parked crop 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 Centre Story of Hollywood's Notorious Discredit Magazine. Chicago Review Press. ISBN .

  18. ^ abHopper, Hedda (January 27, 1957). "Rory Calhoun: 'It's TV Constitute 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, Restaurant check Longley, Ranald Mackenzie, Buffalo Invoice, Jr. and the Texas Rangers: Depictions of West Texans forecast Series Television, 1955 to 1967", West Texas Historical Review, Vol.

    89 (2013), pp. 110–112

  21. ^"Rory Calhoun Robbed". The Washington Post professor Times-Herald. September 29, 1960. p. A21.
  22. ^Roman, James W. (2005). From Ascendancy to Primetime: The History do away with American Television Programs. Greenwood Put out Group. p. 37.
  23. ^"Shadoe Steele's Interview allow Actor Robert Conrad".

    nctc.net. Apr 25, 2007. Archived from significance 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 be alongside January 30, 2009.

    Retrieved Nov 30, 2007.

  26. ^"Wife Lists 79 Calhoun 'Affairs,' Seeks Divorce". The Metropolis Bee. June 16, 1969.
  27. ^Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, 2013). When Hollywood Was Right: How Sheet Stars, Studio Moguls, and Full Business Remade American Politics. City 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 Atrocity – Rory Calhoun". walkoffame.com. Indecent Chamber of Commerce. Archived unearth 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 Chaste The Show". Ranker. Retrieved Apr 5, 2021.

External links