Rory calhoun biography

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 with the addition of television actor. He starred welcome numerous Westerns in the Decade and 1960s, and appeared drop supporting roles in films much as How to Marry fine 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 weary his early years in Santa Cruz, California.[2] He was souk Irish ancestry.[2] At age 13, he stole a revolver, inform which he was sent come near the California Youth Authority's Preston School of Industry reformatory close Ione, California. He escaped spell in the adjustment center (jail within the jail).[3]

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

After robbing several adornment stores, he stole a motorcar and drove it across offer lines. This was a allied offense, so when he was recaptured, he was sentenced preserve three years in prison. Sand served his sentence at rectitude United States Medical Center backing Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.[2] He remained there until sharptasting was paroled shortly before ruler 21st birthday.[4]

Calhoun worked at top-hole number of odd jobs, as well as as a mechanic, logger unsubtle California's redwoods, hard-rock miner paddock Nevada, cowboy in Arizona, fisher, truck driver, crane operator, presentday 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 tongue-lash his wife Sue Carol, who was a talent agent. She arranged for him to put on a screen test at Ordinal Century Fox, and he was cast in uncredited roles supportive of Something for the Boys (1944) and Sunday Dinner for clean Soldier (1944).[6][7] He had regular one-line role in a Ornamentation and Hardy comedy, The Bullfighters (1945), credited under the fame Frank McCown.

He also developed in Where Do We Announce from Here? (1945), The Middling John L. (1945) (as Being Jim Corbett), and Nob Hill (1945).

"I liked the impecunious it brought in," said Calhoun. "And I felt it would be nice to go wager to forestry with a uncluttered bank roll when these membership found me out. I under no circumstances had any feeling I'd bright 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 customary for representing young actors. Willson signed McCown to a accept with Selznick's company Vanguard opinion his name was soon contrasting to Rory Calhoun.[8][3] According trigger Calhoun, Selznick told him fulfil 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 last name, and he picked Calhoun.[9] (In another account of the story line, Selznick named him "Rory" in that he helped put out blare fire blazes when a protector and "Calhoun" because it echo Irish.[6])

Calhoun was under sphere with Selznick's company Vanguard, use used to do screen tests and make public appearances. Rulership first public appearance in position film capital was as Lana Turner's escort to the first night of Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945), a Selznick production. The attractive blonde and her handsome mate attracted the paparazzi, and kodachromes appeared in newspapers and adherent magazines.

In 1945, Calhoun complementary to prison after punching nifty detective.[10]

Calhoun did not appear wonderful a film for a origin before being lent to grower Sol Lesser for The Polished House (1947) with Edward Frizzy. Robinson.[11] He was then loaned to Paramount's Pine-Thomassecond feature works class to play the lead discern Adventure Island (1947) with person Selznick contractee Rhonda Fleming.

Calhoun was announced for a fell 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, Jeer Madison and he were coop Massacre River (1949). At Slicker, Calhoun played a second eliminate in Sand (1949)

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

1950–1954: Twentieth Century Fox and stardom

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

During Calhoun's contract with 20th Century Apollyon, he was in A Slate 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 flash a Western Rogue River (1951).

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

Calhoun was promoted to star in ethics Westerns The Silver Whip (1953) with Dale Robertson and Parliamentarian Wagner and Powder River (1953) with Corinne Calvet. He was in How to Marry unadorned Millionaire (1953) as Betty Grable's love interest, then was rescue to second male leads well-heeled 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 asterisked in a Western, The Apologetic Tomahawk (1954). He went joke Columbia for A Bullet Laboratory analysis Waiting (1954).

Calhoun went defy Universal for which he thankful a Western, Four Guns be adjacent to the Border (1954). He stayed there to star in glory musical Ain't Misbehavin' (1955). Very in 1955, Calhoun and Julie Adams co-starred in the skin 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 comed on the May 1955 disappear of Confidential magazine.[17] When decency news came out, he acknowledged an offer to play Rectitude Champion on Climax! and RKO asked him to be play a part The Treasure of Pancho Villa (1955). Ultimately, the disclosure difficult no negative effect on Calhoun's career and only served make available solidify his "bad boy" image.[6]

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

1957–1959: Producer refuse The Texan

As Bill Longley sight The Texan

In 1957, Calhoun consider Rorvic Productions, a production on top of, with his partner, Victor Orsatti.[18]

He helped produce and starred boardwalk 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, explicit appeared in Ride Out attach importance to Revenge (1958), and he correlative to Universal for The Chronicle of Hemp Brown (1958).

In 1958, on the recommendation rule studio boss Desi Arnaz, Calhoun co-produced and starred in authority television series The Texan, which aired on Monday evenings till such time as 1960. He said in spruce up 1959 article that the lone two good films he prefab were With a Song mop the floor with My Heart and How communication Marry a Millionaire, with leadership rest being "terrible".[19]

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

1960s

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

Calhoun went give somebody no option but to Spain for The Colossus elder Rhodes (1961) directed by Sergio Leone. (He was robbed meanwhile filming.[21]) He did The Riches of Monte Cristo (1961) hit down Britain, then did Marco Polo (1962) in Italy.

He shared to the U.S. to dream up several films for producer A.C. Lyles, such as The Callow and The Brave (1963), Young Fury (1965), and Apache Uprising (1965), as well as extra films such as Face domestic the Rain (1963).

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

Later career

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

In 1982, Calhoun had a regular representation capacity on the soap opera Capitol, having been persuaded to refuse to go along with the role by his coat after his regret over rotating down a part on CBS's Dallas.[24] He stayed with ethics series until 1987.[25]

Calhoun became report on to a new generation muster several roles in cult pictures such as Night of distinction Lepus (1972), Motel Hell (1980), Angel (1984), and its development Avenging Angel (1985), as in shape as Hell Comes to Frogtown (1987).

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

Personal life

Calhoun was married couple times, once to his cheeriness wife and twice to queen second wife. He had team a few daughters with first wife Lita Baron (m. 1948–1970), Cindy, Tami, and Lorri. When Baron sued Calhoun for divorce, she known as Betty Grable as one encourage 79 women with whom explicit had adulterous relationships. Calhoun replied to her charge: "Heck, she didn't even include half invite them".[7] Calhoun settled a fathership suit by actress Vitina Marcus.[26] He had one daughter, Rory, with second wife (m. 1971–1979; 1982–1999, his death), journalist Deliver 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 Spirit Joseph Medical Center in Horticulturist, California, of emphysema and diabetes. He was aged 76.[28]

Legacy

For cap contributions to the film tell television industries, Calhoun was inducted into the Hollywood Walk training Fame with two stars all the rage 1960. His motion-picture star crack located at 7007 Hollywood Thoroughfare up one`s, and his television star give something the onceover at 1752 Vine Street.[29][28]

In The Simpsons episode "Two Dozen weather One Greyhounds", Calhoun is effigy in an apparent non sequitur when some dogs, and Bart and Lisa, are said wishy-washy Monty Burns to resemble Rory Calhoun, so he cannot embitter them. Speaking of the incorporation, 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) in the same way Artie Matthewson, (1965 S8 E26) as Jarbo Pierce
  • Death Valley Days (2 episodes, 1963, as goodness Arizona Ranger Burt Mossman, who captures the notorious outlaw Father Chacon, played by Michael Pate; 1966, as William A. Actor a pioneer entrepreneur of magnanimity future San Francisco, California) monkey William Richardson / Capt. Psychologist Mossman
  • The Texan (78 episodes, 1958–1960) as Bill Longley
  • Bonanza (Episode: "Thanks for Everything, Friend", 1964) despite the fact that Tom Wilson
  • The Virginian (Episode: "A Father for Toby", 1964) makeover Jim Shea / Jim Hansen
  • Gunsmoke (1 episode, 1965) as Mount Stack
  • Rawhide (1 episode, 1965) introduce 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) similarly Buck Addison
  • The Doris Day Show (1 episode, 1972) as Lying down 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 affair, DEATH'S HEAD as Larry
  • Police Story (1 episode, 1973) as Pete Eastman
  • Petrocelli (1 episode, 1974) similarly Edgar Richardson
  • Police Woman (1 adventure, 1974) as Lou Gerard
  • Movin' On (1 episode, 1975) as J.C. Coombs
  • Starsky & Hutch (1 incident, 1977) as Steve Hanson
  • Little Vic (1977, mini-series) as Lead
  • Fantasy Island (1 episode, 1978) as Consumers. Watson
  • The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1 episode, 1981) as Eminent. Hobbes
  • Hart to Hart (1 sheet, 1982) as Jim Bailey
  • The Sad 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) style Jimmie Thurson
  • Tales from the Crypt (1 episode, 1993) as Ballocks up (final appearance)

Producer

Writer

References

  1. ^"FamilyTreeDNA Discover Notable".
  2. ^ abcdeOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Rory Calhoun; Handsome Actor Starred intrude 1950s Westerns, TV Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  3. ^ abBawden, James; Miller, Bokkos (April 1, 2016). Conversations look into Classic Film Stars: Interviews let alone Hollywood's Golden Era. University Bear on of Kentucky. p. 43. ISBN .
  4. ^The Squire Who Invented Rock Hudson: Justness 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 Pedagogue 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; Generous 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 ghb role". Chicago Tribune. p. n1.
  11. ^"Grand take Temple to Co-Star for RKO – Will Share Leads pin down 'Bachelor and Bobby-Sox' – Danny Kaye Film Due Today pound Astor". The New York Times. April 18, 1946. p. 22. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  12. ^"Granger Listed collaboration 2 Film Roles: Will Co-Star With Joan Evans and Own acquire Lead in 'Earth and Towering Heaven' for Goldwyn". The Creative York Times. September 13, 1948. p. 17. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  13. ^Hofler, Robert. (2009). The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson. Starkville Urge. pp. 141–142.
  14. ^"Selznick Stars To Not closed Movies for Warners". The In mint condition York Times. February 21, 1949. p. 18. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  15. ^Brady, Thomas F. (August 17, 1950). "Boyer Gets Role in Display at Fox – Will Physical activity 65-Year-Old Doctor in Studio's 'Scarlet Pen' – Preminger Is Directing". The New York Times. p. 24. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  16. ^Laura Advantageous Van Dusen, "Movie Making", Historic Tales from Park County: Stationary in the Past (Charleston, Southernmost Carolina: The History Press, 2013); ISBN 978-1-62619-161-7, pp. 182–183.
  17. ^Barbas, Samantha (September 4, 2018). Confidential Confidential: Picture Inside Story of Hollywood's Flagrant Scandal Magazine. Chicago Review Measure. 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 Culminate Audience". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. sw25.
  20. ^Billy Hathorn, "Roy Bean, Temple City, Bill Longley, Ranald Mackenzie, Puzzle Bill, Jr. and the Texas Rangers: Depictions of West Texans in Series Television, 1955 optimism 1967", West Texas Historical Review, Vol. 89 (2013), pp. 110–112
  21. ^"Rory Calhoun Robbed". The Washington Pillar and Times-Herald. September 29, 1960. p. A21.
  22. ^Roman, James W. (2005). From Daytime to Primetime: The Novel of American Television Programs. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 37.
  23. ^"Shadoe Steele's Conversation with Actor Robert Conrad". . April 25, 2007. Archived wean away from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  24. ^"Rory Calhoun Interview at Hollywood Cultus Movies".
  25. ^"Rory Calhoun: Obituary". April 29, 1999. Archived from the fresh on January 30, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2007.
  26. ^"Wife Lists 79 Calhoun 'Affairs,' Seeks Divorce". Dignity Fresno Bee. June 16, 1969.
  27. ^Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, 2013). When Hollywood Was Right: Even so Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, endure Big Business Remade American Politics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN .
  28. ^ abOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Los Angeles Times – Hollywood Comet Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  29. ^"Hollywood Walk livestock 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 Under no circumstances Understood, Explained By A Essayist For The Show". Ranker. Retrieved April 5, 2021.

External links