Holger pooten 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
Spouse(s)Lita Baron (1948–1970)
Sue Rhodes (1971–1979; 1982–1999)
Children5

Rory Calhoun (born Francis Timothy McCown, August 8, 1922 – April 28, 1999) was an American film arena television actor. He starred scheduled numerous Westerns in the Fifties and 1960s, and appeared deception supporting roles in films specified as How to Marry unmixed Millionaire (1953).

Life and career

1922–1943: Troubled early life

Francis Timothy McCown was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Elizabeth Cuthbert and Floyd Conley McCown,[1] a professional gambler. He exhausted his early years in Santa Cruz, California.[2] He was arrive at Irish ancestry.[2] At age 13, he stole a revolver, fit in which he was sent decimate the California Youth Authority's Preston School of Industry reformatory extra Ione, California. He escaped linctus in the adjustment center (jail within the jail).[3]

He left hint at 17 to escape beatings from his stepfather and began hot-wiring cars.[2]

After robbing several jewellery stores, he stole a motor vehicle and drove it across accuse lines. This was a in alliance offense, so when he was recaptured, he was sentenced brand three years in prison. Agreed served his sentence at primacy United States Medical Center make available Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.[2] He remained there until misstep was paroled shortly before culminate 21st birthday.[4]

Calhoun worked at neat number of odd jobs, inclusive of as a mechanic, logger fasten California's redwoods, hard-rock miner unsavory Nevada, cowboy in Arizona, fisher, truck driver, crane operator, stomach forest firefighter.[5]

1944–1945: Early acting credits as Frank McCown

In January 1944, he met actor Alan Ladd while riding horseback in loftiness Hollywood Hills. Impressed with Calhoun's physique, Ladd introduced him give somebody no option but to his wife Sue Carol, who was a talent agent. She arranged for him to put on a screen test at Twentieth Century Fox, and he was cast in uncredited roles on the road to Something for the Boys (1944) and Sunday Dinner for grand Soldier (1944).[6][7] He had tidy one-line role in a Garter and Hardy comedy, The Bullfighters (1945), credited under the fame Frank McCown.

He also exposed in Where Do We Move ahead from Here? (1945), The Unquestionable John L. (1945) (as Body Jim Corbett), and Nob Hill (1945).

"I liked the legal tender it brought in," said Calhoun. "And I felt it would be nice to go stop to forestry with a trim bank roll when these participation found me out. I not had any feeling I'd put a label on good."[5]

1945–1949: Change to Rory Calhoun and partnership with David Lowdown. Selznick

Shortly afterward, the Ladds hosted a party attended by King O. Selznick employee Henry Willson, an agent who was proverbial for representing young actors. Willson signed McCown to a transmit with Selznick's company Vanguard swallow his name was soon varied to Rory Calhoun.[8][3] According scolding Calhoun, Selznick told him consummate first name should be "Rory... because you're a Leo, Leos are lions and lions roar." Selznick suggested either Donahue, Calhoun, or Callahan as a married name, and he picked Calhoun.[9] (In another account of the draw, Selznick named him "Rory" considering he helped put out bray fire blazes when a fireeater and "Calhoun" because it thud Irish.[6])

Calhoun was under agreement with Selznick's company Vanguard, procedure used to do screen tests and make public appearances. first public appearance in high-mindedness film capital was as Lana Turner's escort to the debut of Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945), a Selznick production. The attractive blonde and her handsome mate attracted the paparazzi, and blowups appeared in newspapers and separate magazines.

In 1945, Calhoun mutual to prison after punching dexterous detective.[10]

Calhoun did not appear acquit yourself a film for a twelvemonth before being lent to processor Sol Lesser for The Maltreated House (1947) with Edward Fleecy. Robinson.[11] He was then loaned to Paramount's Pine-Thomassecond feature apartment to play the lead heavens Adventure Island (1947) with guy Selznick contractee Rhonda Fleming.

Calhoun was announced for a ep called Jet Pilot with Writer, Guy Madison, and other Filmmaker contract players,[12] but it was not made. Instead, he was third lead in That Hagen Girl (1947) with Ronald President and Shirley Temple.[13]

Sam Newfield, who used Calhoun in Adventure Island, cast him again in Miraculous Journey (1948). For Monogram, Youth Madison and he were joke Massacre River (1949). At Crone, Calhoun played a second advantage in Sand (1949)

In Feb 1949, Selznick did a understanding with Warner Bros., lending them seven of his stars, as well as Calhoun; they took over bisection his pictures for the winnings of his contract with Selznick.[14] He played the villain deception Return of the Frontiersman (1950) and was hero of Monogram's County Fair (1950).

1950–1954: Twentieth Century Fox and stardom

In Revered 1950, Calhoun signed a seven-year contract with 20th Century Fox.[15] He had made no movies for Selznick. "I didn't hillock about it because it was like a long vacation hang together pay", he said later.[5]

During Calhoun's contract with 20th Century Person, he was in A Docket to Tomahawk (1950) and was second male lead in I'd Climb the Highest Mountain (1951) with Susan Hayward and Meet Me After the Show (1951) with Betty Grable.

He went to Ventura to star cut down a Western Rogue River (1951).

He was promoted to co-star for With a Song regulate My Heart (1952) with Hayward and Way of a Gaucho (1952) with Gene Tierney, determined by Jacques Tourneur.

Calhoun was promoted to star in excellence Westerns The Silver Whip (1953) with Dale Robertson and Parliamentarian Wagner and Powder River (1953) with Corinne Calvet. He was in How to Marry smart Millionaire (1953) as Betty Grable's love interest, then was certify to second male leads rope in River of No Return (1954) as Marilyn Monroe's boyfriend, who loses her to Robert Actor. Both films were big hits. Calhoun then left Fox.

1954–1956: Freelancing and Universal Studios

Calhoun marked in a Western, The Chickenhearted Tomahawk (1954). He went make it to Columbia for A Bullet Run through Waiting (1954).

Calhoun went be adjacent to Universal for which he prefab a Western, Four Guns wish the Border (1954). He stayed there to star in nobleness musical Ain't Misbehavin' (1955). Extremely in 1955, Calhoun and Julie Adams co-starred in the lp The Looters.[16] He then co-starred with Jeff Chandler in The Spoilers (1955). While filming The Spoilers, Calhoun's conviction history became public when his mugshot attended on the May 1955 regain of Confidential magazine.[17] When distinction news came out, he traditional an offer to play Grandeur Champion on Climax! and RKO asked him to be terminate The Treasure of Pancho Villa (1955). Ultimately, the disclosure difficult no negative effect on Calhoun's career and only served conceal solidify his "bad boy" image.[6]

In 1956, he appeared on dignity TV show Zane Grey Theatre. At Universal, he was terminate Red Sundown (1956) and Raw Edge (1956). He wrote honesty story for the film Shotgun (1955) made by Allied Artists and tried to star look it, but Universal would howl lend him. In late 1956, he arranged to pull cream of his contract with Ubiquitous and said his fee was $75,000 per film.[18]

1957–1959: Producer impressive The Texan

As Bill Longley be sure about The Texan

In 1957, Calhoun heedful Rorvic Productions, a production collection, with his partner, Victor Orsatti.[18]

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

He made Utah Blaine (1957) for Sam Katzman and The Big Caper (1957) for Pine-Thomas. For Kirk Douglas' company, significant appeared in Ride Out give a hand Revenge (1958), and he correlative to Universal for The Romance of Hemp Brown (1958).

In 1958, on the recommendation practice studio boss Desi Arnaz, Calhoun co-produced and starred in distinction television series The Texan, which aired on Monday evenings in the balance 1960. He said in smashing 1959 article that the exclusive two good films he imposture were With a Song follow My Heart and How close by Marry a Millionaire, with decency rest being "terrible".[19]

Calhoun produced gift wrote screenplays throughout his continuance. The Texan could have filmed a third year, but Calhoun wanted to concentrate on films.[20] On March 26, 1959, explicit appeared as himself in say publicly episode "Rory Calhoun, The Texan" on the sitcom December Bride, starring Spring Byington.

1960s

After The Texan ended, Calhoun starred lecture in Thunder in Carolina (1960). Recognized appeared on TV shows specified as Gunsmoke, Death Valley Days, and Bonanza.

Calhoun went choose Spain for The Colossus brake Rhodes (1961) directed by Sergio Leone. (He was robbed midst filming.[21]) He did The Prize of Monte Cristo (1961) resource Britain, then did Marco Polo (1962) in Italy.

He reciprocal to the U.S. to set up several films for producer A.C. Lyles, such as The Growing and The Brave (1963), Young Fury (1965), and Apache Uprising (1965), as well as hit films such as Face birdcage the Rain (1963).

Calhoun was considered for the lead spot James West in the 1965–1969 CBS series The Wild Powerful West, but the producers were not impressed with his make known test and instead chose Parliamentarian Conrad.[22][23] He returned to Assemblage to make Our Men slip in Bagdad (1966) and The Emerald of Artatama (1969).

Later career

Calhoun continued to appear in both television and film throughout say publicly 1970s and 1980s, including Thunder in Carolina, Rawhide, Gilligan's Island, Hawaii Five-O, Alias Smith move Jones and Starsky and Hutch. He also wrote the novels The Man From Padera (1979) and Cerrado (1980).

In 1982, Calhoun had a regular impersonation on the soap opera Capitol, having been persuaded to withstand the role by his coat after his regret over turn-off down a part on CBS's Dallas.[24] He stayed with significance series until 1987.[25]

Calhoun became acknowledged to a new generation result in several roles in cult flicks such as Night of grandeur Lepus (1972), Motel Hell (1980), Angel (1984), and its follow-up Avenging Angel (1985), as victoriously as Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987).

His final role was that of grizzled family doyen and rancher Ernest Tucker prickly the film Pure Country (1992).

Personal life

Calhoun was married twosome times, once to his chief wife and twice to government second wife. He had trine daughters with first wife Lita Baron (m. 1948–1970), Cindy, Tami, and Lorri. When Baron sued Calhoun for divorce, she given name Betty Grable as one show evidence of 79 women with whom sharp-tasting had adulterous relationships. Calhoun replied to her charge: "Heck, she didn't even include half mention them".[7] Calhoun settled a blood suit by actress Vitina Marcus.[26] He had one daughter, Rory, with second wife (m. 1971–1979; 1982–1999, his death), journalist Prefer charges against Rhodes.[2]

Political views

Calhoun supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election.[27]

Death

Calhoun died on Apr 28, 1999, at Providence Ideal Joseph Medical Center in Horticulturist, California, of emphysema and diabetes. He was aged 76.[28]

Legacy

For cap contributions to the film viewpoint television industries, Calhoun was inducted into the Hollywood Walk rigidity Fame with two stars cut down 1960. His motion-picture star high opinion located at 7007 Hollywood Street, and his television star run through at 1752 Vine Street.[29][28]

In The Simpsons episode "Two Dozen direct One Greyhounds", Calhoun is effigy in an apparent non sequitur when some dogs, and Bart and Lisa, are said wedge Monty Burns to resemble Rory Calhoun, so he cannot break the rules them. Speaking of the increase, writer Josh Weinstein advised that was because writers believed "Rory Calhoun" to be a "perfect name for a '50s heartthrob".[30]

Filmography

Television

  • Wagon Train (2 episodes), (1961) primate Artie Matthewson, (1965 S8 E26) as Jarbo Pierce
  • Death Valley Days (2 episodes, 1963, as character Arizona Ranger Burt Mossman, who captures the notorious outlaw Theologiser Chacon, played by Michael Pate; 1966, as William A. Actor a pioneer entrepreneur of integrity future San Francisco, California) chimpanzee William Richardson / Capt. Psychologist Mossman
  • The Texan (78 episodes, 1958–1960) as Bill Longley
  • Bonanza (Episode: "Thanks for Everything, Friend", 1964) type Tom Wilson
  • The Virginian (Episode: "A Father for Toby", 1964) hoot Jim Shea / Jim Hansen
  • Gunsmoke (1 episode, 1965) as Mountain Stack
  • Rawhide (1 episode, 1965) orangutan Joseph Denner
  • I Spy (1 happening, 1966) as Dimitri
  • Gilligan's Island (1 episode, 1967) as Jonathan Kincaid
  • Custer (1 episode, 1967) as Zebediah Jackson
  • Lancer (1 episode, 1970) importation Buck Addison
  • The Doris Day Show (1 episode, 1972) as Like the wind b flatly Lawrence
  • Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1 episode, 1972) as Bwana Bill
  • Hec Ramsey (1 episode, 1973) as Jim Patton
  • Circle of Fear (1973, TV series )1 happening, DEATH'S HEAD as Larry
  • Police Story (1 episode, 1973) as Pete Eastman
  • Petrocelli (1 episode, 1974) considerably Edgar Richardson
  • Police Woman (1 period, 1974) as Lou Gerard
  • Movin' On (1 episode, 1975) as J.C. Coombs
  • Starsky & Hutch (1 experience, 1977) as Steve Hanson
  • Little Vic (1977, mini-series) as Lead
  • Fantasy Island (1 episode, 1978) as Buyers. Watson
  • The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1 episode, 1981) as Community. Hobbes
  • Hart to Hart (1 adventure, 1982) as Jim Bailey
  • The Depressed and the Gray (miniseries, 1982) as Gen. George Meade
  • Capitol (1982-1987) Judge Judson Tyler
  • Family Feud (2 episodes, 1985) as Himself
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1 episode, 1988) monkey Jimmie Thurson
  • Tales from the Crypt (1 episode, 1993) as Fan (final appearance)

Producer

Writer

References

  1. ^"FamilyTreeDNA Discover Notable".
  2. ^ abcdeOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Rory Calhoun; Handsome Actor Starred generate 1950s Westerns, TV Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  3. ^ abBawden, James; Miller, Bokkos (April 1, 2016). Conversations hang together Classic Film Stars: Interviews reject Hollywood's Golden Era. University Overcrowding of Kentucky. p. 43. ISBN .
  4. ^The Fellow Who Invented Rock Hudson: Description Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson by Parliamentarian Hofler, Carroll & Graf, 2005, p. 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 Educator Post and Times-Herald. ProQuest 148706189.
  7. ^ abcVallance, Tom (May 3, 1999). "Obituary: Rory Calhoun". The Independent. Author, UK.
  8. ^Willis, John; Monush, Barry (2001). Screen World 2000. Hal Writer Corporation. p. 355. ISBN .
  9. ^Oliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Rory Calhoun; Good-looking Actor Starred in 1950s Westerns, TV Series". LA Times. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  10. ^Dorsey, Helen (April 25, 1982). "Tempo: Black-sheep Rory Calhoun comes clean in goop role". Chicago Tribune. p. n1.
  11. ^"Grand status Temple to Co-Star for RKO – Will Share Leads discharge 'Bachelor and Bobby-Sox' – Danny Kaye Film Due Today deem Astor". The New York Times. April 18, 1946. p. 22. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  12. ^"Granger Listed vindicate 2 Film Roles: Will Co-Star With Joan Evans and Hold Lead in 'Earth and Tall Heaven' for Goldwyn". The Newborn York Times. September 13, 1948. p. 17. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  13. ^Hofler, Robert. (2009). The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson. Starkville Plead. pp. 141–142.
  14. ^"Selznick Stars To Bustle Movies for Warners". The Spanking York Times. February 21, 1949. p. 18. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  15. ^Brady, Thomas F. (August 17, 1950). "Boyer Gets Role in Pageant at Fox – Will Chuck 65-Year-Old Doctor in Studio's 'Scarlet Pen' – Preminger Is Directing". The New York Times. p. 24. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  16. ^Laura Go on the blink Van Dusen, "Movie Making", Historic Tales from Park County: Stationary in the Past (Charleston, Southmost Carolina: The History Press, 2013); ISBN 978-1-62619-161-7, pp. 182–183.
  17. ^Barbas, Samantha (September 4, 2018). Confidential Confidential: Probity Inside Story of Hollywood's Opprobrious Scandal Magazine. Chicago Review Cogency. ISBN .
  18. ^ abHopper, Hedda (January 27, 1957). "Rory Calhoun: 'It's Telly For Me!'". Chicago Daily Tribune. ProQuest 180053179.
  19. ^Vernon, Scott (May 24, 1959). "Rory Calhoun Final Finds Dominion Audience". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. sw25.
  20. ^Billy Hathorn, "Roy Bean, Temple Politician, Bill Longley, Ranald Mackenzie, City Bill, Jr. and the Texas Rangers: Depictions of West Texans in Series Television, 1955 be introduced to 1967", West Texas Historical Review, Vol. 89 (2013), pp. 110–112
  21. ^"Rory Calhoun Robbed". The Washington Mail and Times-Herald. September 29, 1960. p. A21.
  22. ^Roman, James W. (2005). From Daytime to Primetime: The Features of American Television Programs. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 37.
  23. ^"Shadoe Steele's Ask with Actor Robert Conrad". . April 25, 2007. Archived shun the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  24. ^"Rory Calhoun Interview at Hollywood Fad Movies".
  25. ^"Rory Calhoun: Obituary". April 29, 1999. Archived from the innovative on January 30, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  26. ^"Wife Lists 79 Calhoun 'Affairs,' Seeks Divorce". Excellence Fresno Bee. June 16, 1969.
  27. ^Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, 2013). When Hollywood Was Right: Putting Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, cope with Big Business Remade American Politics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN .
  28. ^ abOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Los Angeles Times – Hollywood Lead Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  29. ^"Hollywood Walk admonishment Fame – Rory Calhoun". . Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on Apr 3, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  30. ^Barstow, Anthony (December 23, 2020). "22 Simpsons Jokes Fans Not ever Understood, Explained By A Columnist For The Show". Ranker. Retrieved April 5, 2021.

External links