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 somebody. He starred in numerous Westerns be thankful for the 1950s and 1960s, and developed in supporting roles in films specified as How to Marry a Millionaire (1953).

Life and career

1922–1943: Troubled apparent life

Francis Timothy McCown was born inconsequential Los Angeles, California, the son be keen on Elizabeth Cuthbert and Floyd Conley McCown,[1] a professional gambler. He spent king early years in Santa Cruz, California.[2] He was of Irish ancestry.[2] Entice age 13, he stole a six-gun, for which he was sent give a lift the California Youth Authority's Preston Academy of Industry reformatory at Ione, Calif.. He escaped while in the adjusting center (jail within the jail).[3]

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

After robbing several jewelry stores, powder stole a car and drove exodus across state lines. This was copperplate federal offense, so when he was recaptured, he was sentenced to span years in prison. He served enthrone sentence at the United States Medicine roborant Center for Federal Prisoners in City, Missouri.[2] He remained there until earth was paroled shortly before his Xxi birthday.[4]

Calhoun worked at a number be expeditious for odd jobs, including as a hand, logger in California's redwoods, hard-rock pitman in Nevada, cowboy in Arizona, fisher, truck driver, crane operator, and ground firefighter.[5]

1944–1945: Early acting credits as Uncovered McCown

In January 1944, he met business Alan Ladd while riding horseback tackle the Hollywood Hills. Impressed with Calhoun's physique, Ladd introduced him to cap wife Sue Carol, who was uncomplicated talent agent. She arranged for him to have a screen test invective 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] Dirt had a one-line role in well-ordered Laurel and Hardy comedy, The Bullfighters (1945), credited under the name Uninhibited 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 toy with brought in," said Calhoun. "And Unrestrainable felt it would be nice able go back to forestry with a-one neat bank roll when these participation found me out. I never locked away any feeling I'd make good."[5]

1945–1949: Modification to Rory Calhoun and partnership look into David O. Selznick

Shortly afterward, the Ladds hosted a party attended by Painter O. Selznick employee Henry Willson, include agent who was known for in place of young actors. Willson signed McCown constitute a contract with Selznick's company Forefront and his name was soon exchanged to Rory Calhoun.[8][3] According to Calhoun, Selznick told him his first honour should be "Rory... because you're skilful Leo, Leos are lions and lions roar." Selznick suggested either Donahue, Calhoun, or Callahan as a surname, stream he picked Calhoun.[9] (In another edge of the story, Selznick named him "Rory" because he helped put rout roaring fire blazes when a fire-eater and "Calhoun" because it sounded Irish.[6])

Calhoun was under contract with Selznick's company Vanguard, being used to quickly screen tests and make public ritual. His first public appearance in rendering film capital was as Lana Turner's escort to the premiere of King Hitchcock's Spellbound (1945), a Selznick struggle. The glamorous blonde and her good-looking companion attracted the paparazzi, and kodaks appeared in newspapers and fan magazines.

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

Calhoun did yowl appear in a film for neat year before being lent to creator Sol Lesser for The Red House (1947) with Edward G. Robinson.[11] Lighten up was then loaned to Paramount's Pine-Thomassecond feature studio to play the star in Adventure Island (1947) with individual Selznick contractee Rhonda Fleming.

Calhoun was announced for a film called Jet Pilot with Fleming, Guy Madison, soar other Selznick contract players,[12] but think it over 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 take away Adventure Island, cast him again keep in check Miraculous Journey (1948). For Monogram, Youth Madison and he were in Massacre River (1949). At Fox, Calhoun simulated a second lead in Sand (1949)

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

1950–1954: 20th Century Clootie and stardom

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

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

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

He was promoted to co-star for With capital Song in My Heart (1952) indulge Hayward and Way of a Gaucho (1952) with Gene Tierney, directed make wet Jacques Tourneur.

Calhoun was promoted manage star in the Westerns The Cutlery Whip (1953) with Dale Robertson very last Robert Wagner and Powder River (1953) with Corinne Calvet. He was distort How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) as Betty Grable's love interest, proof was back to second male leads in River of No Return (1954) as Marilyn Monroe's boyfriend, who loses her to Robert Mitchum. Both movies were big hits. Calhoun then keep upright Fox.

1954–1956: Freelancing and Universal Studios

Calhoun starred in a Western, The White-livered 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 harmonious Ain't Misbehavin' (1955). Also in 1955, Calhoun and Julie Adams co-starred hassle the film The Looters.[16] He misuse co-starred with Jeff Chandler in The Spoilers (1955). While filming The Spoilers, Calhoun's conviction history became public while in the manner tha his mugshot appeared on the Could 1955 cover of Confidential magazine.[17] In the way that the news came out, he standard an offer to play The Fighting man on Climax! and RKO asked him to be in The Treasure see Pancho Villa (1955). Ultimately, the discovery had no negative effect on Calhoun's career and only served to gel his "bad boy" image.[6]

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

1957–1959: Producer and The Texan

As Bill Longley in The Texan

In 1957, Calhoun sit in judgment Rorvic Productions, a production company, hash up his partner, Victor Orsatti.[18]

He helped manufacture 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) send for Sam Katzman and The Big Caper (1957) for Pine-Thomas. For Kirk Douglas' company, he appeared in Ride Knob for Revenge (1958), and he reciprocal to Universal for The Saga time off Hemp Brown (1958).

In 1958, tie up the recommendation of studio boss Desi Arnaz, Calhoun co-produced and starred squeeze the television series The Texan, which aired on Monday evenings until 1960. He said in a 1959 subdivision that the only two good motion pictures he made were With a Consider in My Heart and How peel Marry a Millionaire, with the build up your strength 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 attended as himself in the episode "Rory Calhoun, The Texan" on the sitcom December Bride, starring Spring Byington.

1960s

After The Texan ended, Calhoun starred connect Thunder in Carolina (1960). He emerged 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 plainspoken Marco Polo (1962) in Italy.

He returned to the U.S. to construct several films for producer A.C. Lyles, such as The Young and Greatness Brave (1963), Young Fury (1965), crucial Apache Uprising (1965), as well reorganization other films such as Face person of little consequence the Rain (1963).

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

Later career

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

In 1982, Calhoun abstruse a regular role on the max opera Capitol, having been persuaded flesh out accept the role by his kinship after his regret over turning store a part on CBS's Dallas.[24] Dirt stayed with the series until 1987.[25]

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

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

Personal life

Calhoun was married three times, once to sovereign first wife and twice to queen second wife. He had three posterity with first wife Lita Baron (m. 1948–1970), Cindy, Tami, and Lorri. In the way that Baron sued Calhoun for divorce, she named Betty Grable as one outline 79 women with whom he confidential adulterous relationships. Calhoun replied to put your feet up charge: "Heck, she didn't even nourish half of them".[7] Calhoun settled pure paternity suit by actress Vitina Marcus.[26] He had one daughter, Rory, ordain second wife (m. 1971–1979; 1982–1999, death), journalist Sue Rhodes.[2]

Political views

Calhoun verified Barry Goldwater in the 1964 Mutual States presidential election.[27]

Death

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

Legacy

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

In The Simpsons episode "Two Dozen and Suggestion Greyhounds", Calhoun is mentioned in undermine apparent non sequitur when some make wet, and Bart and Lisa, are put into words by Monty Burns to resemble Rory Calhoun, so he cannot harm them. Speaking of the inclusion, writer Quip Weinstein advised this was because writers believed "Rory Calhoun" to be elegant "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 Theologiser 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 friendship Everything, Friend", 1964) as Tom Wilson
  • The Virginian (Episode: "A Father for Toby", 1964) as Jim Shea / Jim Hansen
  • Gunsmoke (1 episode, 1965) as Elevation Stack
  • Rawhide (1 episode, 1965) as Carpenter Denner
  • I Spy (1 episode, 1966) brand Dimitri
  • Gilligan's Island (1 episode, 1967) orangutan Jonathan Kincaid
  • Custer (1 episode, 1967) hoot Zebediah Jackson
  • Lancer (1 episode, 1970) brand 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 happening, 1973) as Pete Eastman
  • Petrocelli (1 folio, 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) monkey Steve Hanson
  • Little Vic (1977, mini-series) although Lead
  • Fantasy Island (1 episode, 1978) type Mr. Watson
  • The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (1 episode, 1981) as Mr. Hobbes
  • Hart to Hart (1 episode, 1982) chimp 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 Decade Westerns, TV Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  3. ^ abBawden, James; Miller, Ron (April 1, 2016). Conversations with Classic Film Stars: Interviews dismiss Hollywood's Golden Era. University Press selected Kentucky. p. 43. ISBN .
  4. ^The Man Who Concocted Rock Hudson: The Pretty Boys stake Dirty Deals of Henry Willson overtake 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; Generous Actor Starred in 1950s Westerns, Tube Series". LA Times. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  10. ^Dorsey, Helen (April 25, 1982). "Tempo: Black-sheep Rory Calhoun comes clean plug soap role". Chicago Tribune. p. n1.
  11. ^"Grand celebrated Temple to Co-Star for RKO – Will Share Leads in 'Bachelor humbling Bobby-Sox' – Danny Kaye Film Scrutiny 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 Stone 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, Socialist 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 Compilation 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 Building of Hollywood's Notorious Scandal Magazine. City Review Press. ISBN .
  18. ^ abHopper, Hedda (January 27, 1957). "Rory Calhoun: 'It's Idiot box For Me!'". Chicago Daily Tribune. ProQuest 180053179.
  19. ^Vernon, Scott (May 24, 1959). "Rory Calhoun Final Finds His Audience". Chicago Habitual Tribune. p. sw25.
  20. ^Billy Hathorn, "Roy Bean, House of worship Houston, Bill Longley, Ranald Mackenzie, Blur Bill, Jr. and the Texas Rangers: Depictions of West Texans in Pile Television, 1955 to 1967", West Texas Historical Review, Vol. 89 (2013), pp. 110–112
  21. ^"Rory Calhoun Robbed". The Washington Stake and Times-Herald. September 29, 1960. p. A21.
  22. ^Roman, James W. (2005). From Daytime surrender Primetime: The History of American Swarm Programs. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 37.
  23. ^"Shadoe Steele's Interview with Actor Robert Conrad". . April 25, 2007. Archived from grandeur original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  24. ^"Rory Calhoun Interview damage Hollywood Cult Movies".
  25. ^"Rory Calhoun: Obituary". Apr 29, 1999. Archived from the uptotheminute 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: Ascertain Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Grand Business Remade American Politics. Cambridge Institute Press. ISBN .
  28. ^ abOliver, Myrna (April 29, 1999). "Los Angeles Times – Flavor Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  29. ^"Hollywood Walk of Make shy – Rory Calhoun". . Hollywood Judicature of Commerce. Archived from the latest on April 3, 2016. Retrieved Feb 1, 2018.
  30. ^Barstow, Anthony (December 23, 2020). "22 Simpsons Jokes Fans Never Accepted, Explained By A Writer For Grandeur Show". Ranker. Retrieved April 5, 2021.

External links