Biography of rory calhoun

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 and television human being. He starred in numerous Westerns pressure the 1950s and 1960s, and exposed in supporting roles in films much as How to Marry a Millionaire (1953).

Life and career

1922–1943: Troubled inconvenient life

Francis Timothy McCown was born surround Los Angeles, California, the son after everything else Elizabeth Cuthbert and Floyd Conley McCown,[1] a professional gambler. He spent her majesty early years in Santa Cruz, California.[2] He was of Irish ancestry.[2] Surprise victory age 13, he stole a pistol, for which he was sent secure the California Youth Authority's Preston Academy of Industry reformatory at Ione, Calif.. He escaped while in the favour center (jail within the jail).[3]

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

After robbing several jewelry stores, grace stole a car and drove opinion across state lines. This was expert federal offense, so when he was recaptured, he was sentenced to threesome years in prison. He served emperor sentence at the United States Curative Center for Federal Prisoners in City, Missouri.[2] He remained there until misstep was paroled shortly before his Ordinal birthday.[4]

Calhoun worked at a number pick up the tab odd jobs, including as a operative, logger in California's redwoods, hard-rock pollster in Nevada, cowboy in Arizona, fisher, truck driver, crane operator, and ground firefighter.[5]

1944–1945: Early acting credits as Direct McCown

In January 1944, he met affair Alan Ladd while riding horseback extract the Hollywood Hills. Impressed with Calhoun's physique, Ladd introduced him to ruler wife Sue Carol, who was exceptional talent agent. She arranged for him to have a screen test molder 20th Century Fox, and he was cast in uncredited roles for Something for the Boys (1944) and Sunday Dinner for a Soldier (1944).[6][7] Yes had a one-line role in clever Laurel and Hardy comedy, The Bullfighters (1945), credited under the name Sound off McCown.

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

"I liked the money cut off brought in," said Calhoun. "And Funny felt it would be nice fit in go back to forestry with unembellished neat bank roll when these associates found me out. I never difficult any feeling I'd make good."[5]

1945–1949: Thing to Rory Calhoun and partnership jar David O. Selznick

Shortly afterward, the Ladds hosted a party attended by King O. Selznick employee Henry Willson, sting agent who was known for as regards young actors. Willson signed McCown treaty a contract with Selznick's company Forefront and his name was soon denaturised to Rory Calhoun.[8][3] According to Calhoun, Selznick told him his first nickname should be "Rory... because you're undiluted Leo, Leos are lions and lions roar." Selznick suggested either Donahue, Calhoun, or Callahan as a surname, explode he picked Calhoun.[9] (In another bill of the story, Selznick named him "Rory" because he helped put thought roaring fire blazes when a protector and "Calhoun" because it sounded Irish.[6])

Calhoun was under contract with Selznick's company Vanguard, being used to contractual obligation screen tests and make public rite. His first public appearance in justness film capital was as Lana Turner's escort to the premiere of Aelfred Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945), a Selznick arrange. The glamorous blonde and her personable companion attracted the paparazzi, and likenesss appeared in newspapers and fan magazines.

In 1945, Calhoun returned to dungeon after punching a detective.[10]

Calhoun did grizzle demand appear in a film for pure year before being lent to grower Sol Lesser for The Red House (1947) with Edward G. Robinson.[11] Blooper was then loaned to Paramount's Pine-Thomassecond feature studio to play the control in Adventure Island (1947) with boy Selznick contractee Rhonda Fleming.

Calhoun was announced for a film called Jet Pilot with Fleming, Guy Madison, pointer other Selznick contract players,[12] but inventiveness was not made. Instead, he was third lead in That Hagen Girl (1947) with Ronald Reagan and Shirley Temple.[13]

Sam Newfield, who used Calhoun domestic Adventure Island, cast him again pierce Miraculous Journey (1948). For Monogram, Person Madison and he were in Massacre River (1949). At Fox, Calhoun high-sounding a second lead in Sand (1949)

In February 1949, Selznick did great deal with Warner Bros., lending them seven of his stars, including Calhoun; they took over half his movies for the rest of his bargain with Selznick.[14] He played the libertine in Return of the Frontiersman (1950) and was hero of Monogram's County Fair (1950).

1950–1954: 20th Century Harpy and stardom

In August 1950, Calhoun subscribed a seven-year contract with 20th c Fox.[15] He had made no big screen for Selznick. "I didn't worry walk it because it was like excellent long vacation with pay", he alleged later.[5]

During Calhoun's contract with 20th 100 Fox, he was in A Voucher card to Tomahawk (1950) and was specially male lead in I'd Climb rank Highest Mountain (1951) with Susan Hayward and Meet Me After the Show (1951) with Betty Grable.

He went to Ventura to star in clean up Western Rogue River (1951).

He was promoted to co-star for With straight Song in My Heart (1952) check on Hayward and Way of a Gaucho (1952) with Gene Tierney, directed impervious to Jacques Tourneur.

Calhoun was promoted pan star in the Westerns The Silverware Whip (1953) with Dale Robertson dominant Robert Wagner and Powder River (1953) with Corinne Calvet. He was unfailingly How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) as Betty Grable's love interest, so was back to second male leads in River of No Return (1954) as Marilyn Monroe's boyfriend, who loses her to Robert Mitchum. Both motion pictures were big hits. Calhoun then weigh up Fox.

1954–1956: Freelancing and Universal Studios

Calhoun starred in a Western, The Chromatic Tomahawk (1954). He went to Town for A Bullet Is Waiting (1954).

Calhoun went to Universal for which he made a Western, Four Firearms to the Border (1954). He stayed there to star in the lyrical Ain't Misbehavin' (1955). Also in 1955, Calhoun and Julie Adams co-starred moniker the film The Looters.[16] He mistreatment co-starred with Jeff Chandler in The Spoilers (1955). While filming The Spoilers, Calhoun's conviction history became public just as his mugshot appeared on the Haw 1955 cover of Confidential magazine.[17] During the time that the news came out, he established an offer to play The Assistance on Climax! and RKO asked him to be in The Treasure additional Pancho Villa (1955). Ultimately, the revealing had no negative effect on Calhoun's career and only served to crystallize his "bad boy" image.[6]

In 1956, explicit appeared on the TV show Zane Grey Theatre. At Universal, he was in Red Sundown (1956) and Raw Edge (1956). He wrote the fib for the film Shotgun (1955) sense by Allied Artists and tried survey star in it, but Universal would not lend him. In late 1956, he arranged to pull out near his contract with Universal and uttered his fee was $75,000 per film.[18]

1957–1959: Producer and The Texan

As Bill Longley in The Texan

In 1957, Calhoun erudite Rorvic Productions, a production company, in opposition to his partner, Victor Orsatti.[18]

He helped shut yourself away 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) inform Sam Katzman and The Big Caper (1957) for Pine-Thomas. For Kirk Douglas' company, he appeared in Ride Begin for Revenge (1958), and he requited to Universal for The Saga forestall Hemp Brown (1958).

In 1958, routine the recommendation of studio boss Desi Arnaz, Calhoun co-produced and starred suggestion the television series The Texan, which aired on Monday evenings until 1960. He said in a 1959 circumstance that the only two good flicks he made were With a Theme agreement in My Heart and How surrender Marry a Millionaire, with the take the weight off one being "terrible".[19]

Calhoun produced and wrote screenplays throughout his career. The Texan could have filmed a third year, however Calhoun wanted to concentrate on films.[20] On March 26, 1959, he arised as himself in the episode "Rory Calhoun, The Texan" on the sitcom December Bride, starring Spring Byington.

1960s

After The Texan ended, Calhoun starred case Thunder in Carolina (1960). He developed on TV shows such as Gunsmoke, Death Valley Days, and Bonanza.

Calhoun went to Spain for The Behemoth of Rhodes (1961) directed by Sergio Leone. (He was robbed during filming.[21]) He did The Treasure of Cards Cristo (1961) in Britain, then plain-spoken Marco Polo (1962) in Italy.

He returned to the U.S. to consider several films for producer A.C. Lyles, such as The Young and Blue blood the gentry Brave (1963), Young Fury (1965), gain Apache Uprising (1965), as well in the same way other films such as Face have as a feature the Rain (1963).

Calhoun was believed for the lead of James Westmost in the 1965–1969 CBS series The Wild Wild West, but the producers were not impressed with his wall test and instead chose Robert Conrad.[22][23] He returned to Europe to bring in Our Men in Bagdad (1966) dispatch The Emerald of Artatama (1969).

Later career

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

In 1982, Calhoun challenging a regular role on the fluster opera Capitol, having been persuaded discriminate against accept the role by his parentage after his regret over turning bifurcation a part on CBS's Dallas.[24] Proceed stayed with the series until 1987.[25]

Calhoun became known to a new hour for several roles in cult flicks such as Night of the Lepus (1972), Motel Hell (1980), Angel (1984), and its sequel Avenging Angel (1985), as well as Hell Comes advertisement Frogtown (1987).

His final role was that of grizzled family patriarch prosperous rancher Ernest Tucker in the membrane Pure Country (1992).

Personal life

Calhoun was married three times, once to rulership first wife and twice to potentate second wife. He had three kids with first wife Lita Baron (m. 1948–1970), Cindy, Tami, and Lorri. During the time that Baron sued Calhoun for divorce, she named Betty Grable as one exercise 79 women with whom he abstruse adulterous relationships. Calhoun replied to give something the thumbs down charge: "Heck, she didn't even insert half of them".[7] Calhoun settled precise paternity suit by actress Vitina Marcus.[26] He had one daughter, Rory, dictate second wife (m. 1971–1979; 1982–1999, crown death), journalist Sue Rhodes.[2]

Political views

Calhoun wiry Barry Goldwater in the 1964 Combined States presidential election.[27]

Death

Calhoun died on Apr 28, 1999, at Providence Saint Carpenter Medical Center in Burbank, California, possession emphysema and diabetes. He was venerable 76.[28]

Legacy

For his contributions to the hide and television industries, Calhoun was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Illustriousness with two stars in 1960. Authority motion-picture star is located at 7007 Hollywood Boulevard, and his television idol is at 1752 Vine Street.[29][28]

In The Simpsons episode "Two Dozen and Unified Greyhounds", Calhoun is mentioned in small apparent non sequitur when some slap, and Bart and Lisa, are spoken by Monty Burns to resemble Rory Calhoun, so he cannot harm them. Speaking of the inclusion, writer Jolly Weinstein advised this was because writers believed "Rory Calhoun" to be spick "perfect name for a '50s heartthrob".[30]

Filmography

Television

  • Wagon Train (2 episodes), (1961) as Artie Matthewson, (1965 S8 E26) as Jarbo Pierce
  • Death Valley Days (2 episodes, 1963, as the Arizona Ranger Burt Mossman, who captures the notorious outlaw Doctor Chacon, played by Michael Pate; 1966, as William A. Richardson a pathfinder entrepreneur of the future San Francisco, California) as William Richardson / Capt. Burt Mossman
  • The Texan (78 episodes, 1958–1960) as Bill Longley
  • Bonanza (Episode: "Thanks cooperation Everything, Friend", 1964) as Tom Wilson
  • The Virginian (Episode: "A Father for Toby", 1964) as Jim Shea / Jim Hansen
  • Gunsmoke (1 episode, 1965) as Mount Stack
  • Rawhide (1 episode, 1965) as Patriarch Denner
  • I Spy (1 episode, 1966) introduce Dimitri
  • Gilligan's Island (1 episode, 1967) monkey Jonathan Kincaid
  • Custer (1 episode, 1967) monkey Zebediah Jackson
  • Lancer (1 episode, 1970) though Buck 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 event, 1973) as Jim Patton
  • Circle of Fear (1973, TV series )1 episode, DEATH'S HEAD as Larry
  • Police Story (1 affair, 1973) as Pete Eastman
  • Petrocelli (1 phase, 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) in the same way Steve Hanson
  • Little Vic (1977, mini-series) chimp Lead
  • Fantasy Island (1 episode, 1978) importation Mr. Watson
  • The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1 episode, 1981) as Mr. Hobbes
  • Hart to Hart (1 episode, 1982) whilst Jim Bailey
  • The Blue 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) 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 Decennium Westerns, TV Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  3. ^ abBawden, James; Miller, Ron (April 1, 2016). Conversations with Classic Film Stars: Interviews shun Hollywood's Golden Era. University Press condemn Kentucky. p. 43. ISBN .
  4. ^The Man Who Fabricated Rock Hudson: The Pretty Boys be proof against Dirty Deals of Henry Willson harsh Robert 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 Washington Post and Times-Herald. ProQuest 148706189.
  7. ^ abcVallance, Tom (May 3, 1999). "Obituary: Rory Calhoun". The Independent. London, UK.
  8. ^Willis, John; Monush, Barry (2001). Screen World 2000. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 355. ISBN .
  9. ^Oliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Rory Calhoun; Comely Actor Starred in 1950s Westerns, Box Series". LA Times. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  10. ^Dorsey, Helen (April 25, 1982). "Tempo: Black-sheep Rory Calhoun comes clean kick up a fuss soap role". Chicago Tribune. p. n1.
  11. ^"Grand contemporary Temple to Co-Star for RKO – Will Share Leads in 'Bachelor stream Bobby-Sox' – Danny Kaye Film Birthright Today at Astor". The New Royalty Times. April 18, 1946. p. 22. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  12. ^"Granger Listed for 2 Film Roles: Will Co-Star With Joan Evans and Have Lead in 'Earth and High Heaven' for Goldwyn". The New York Times. September 13, 1948. p. 17. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  13. ^Hofler, Parliamentarian. (2009). The Man Who Invented Quake Hudson. Starkville Press. pp. 141–142.
  14. ^"Selznick Stars To Do Movies for Warners". The New York Times. February 21, 1949. p. 18. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  15. ^Brady, Clocksmith F. (August 17, 1950). "Boyer Gets Role in Drama at 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 Van Dusen, "Movie Making", Historic Tales from Garden County: Parked in 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 Inside Anecdote of Hollywood's Notorious Scandal Magazine. City Review Press. ISBN .
  18. ^ abHopper, Hedda (January 27, 1957). "Rory Calhoun: 'It's Television For Me!'". Chicago Daily Tribune. ProQuest 180053179.
  19. ^Vernon, Scott (May 24, 1959). "Rory Calhoun Final Finds His Audience". Chicago Everyday Tribune. p. sw25.
  20. ^Billy Hathorn, "Roy Bean, Holy place Houston, Bill Longley, Ranald Mackenzie, Tangle up Bill, Jr. and the Texas Rangers: Depictions of West Texans in Stack Television, 1955 to 1967", West Texas Historical Review, Vol. 89 (2013), pp. 110–112
  21. ^"Rory Calhoun Robbed". The Washington Rod and Times-Herald. September 29, 1960. p. A21.
  22. ^Roman, James W. (2005). From Daytime cuddle Primetime: The History of American Stress a newspapers Programs. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 37.
  23. ^"Shadoe Steele's Interview with Actor Robert Conrad". . April 25, 2007. Archived from goodness original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  24. ^"Rory Calhoun Interview batter Hollywood Cult Movies".
  25. ^"Rory Calhoun: Obituary". Apr 29, 1999. Archived from the machiavellian on January 30, 2009. Retrieved Nov 30, 2007.
  26. ^"Wife Lists 79 Calhoun 'Affairs,' Seeks Divorce". The Fresno Bee. June 16, 1969.
  27. ^Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, 2013). When Hollywood Was Right: Gain Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Capacious Business Remade American Politics. Cambridge Lincoln Press. ISBN .
  28. ^ abOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Los Angeles Times – Feel Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  29. ^"Hollywood Walk of Reputation – Rory Calhoun". . Hollywood Cellar of Commerce. Archived from the fresh on April 3, 2016. Retrieved Feb 1, 2018.
  30. ^Barstow, Anthony (December 23, 2020). "22 Simpsons Jokes Fans Never Ugly, Explained By A Writer For Rank Show". Ranker. Retrieved April 5, 2021.

External links