Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford (1916-2006) was a Canadian-born American actor who had a prolific career in film and television spanning over five decades. He appeared in numerous successful films, becoming one of Hollywood's most respected and versatile actors. Ford was known for his naturalistic acting style and his ability to excel in a variety of genres, including dramas, westerns, and film noir.
Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford, known as Glenn Ford, was born on May 29, 1916, in Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne, Quebec, Canada. His family later moved to California, where Ford grew up. He attended Santa Monica High School and developed an early interest in acting.
Ford began his acting career in the late 1930s, initially appearing in small roles in films such as "Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence" (1939) and "Texas" (1941). He caught the attention of studio executives and signed a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1940, marking the start of his successful association with the studio.
In the 1940s, Ford gained recognition for his performances in films such as "Gilda" (1946), opposite Rita Hayworth, and "The Big Heat" (1953), directed by Fritz Lang. He demonstrated his versatility by taking on diverse roles in films like "3:10 to Yuma" (1957), a western, and "Blackboard Jungle" (1955), a drama tackling social issues.
Ford's talent as an actor earned him critical acclaim and commercial success. He received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his performance in the film "Pocketful of Miracles" (1961). Some of his other notable films include "The Desperadoes" (1943), "A Stolen Life" (1946), "Teahouse of the August Moon" (1956), and "Superman" (1978), where he portrayed Clark Kent's adoptive father, Jonathan Kent.
In addition to his film work, Ford appeared on television, starring in the series "Cade's County" (1971-1972) and making guest appearances on shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "Columbo."
Ford's career continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with roles in films such as "Midway" (1976), "The Visitor" (1979), and "Day of the Evil Gun" (1968). He eventually retired from acting in the late 1990s, with his final on-screen appearance in the film "Final Verdict" (1991).
Glenn Ford was married four times and had one son. He was known for his professionalism, integrity, and dedication to his craft. In recognition of his contributions to the film industry, Ford was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Glenn Ford passed away on August 30, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 90. His legacy lives on through his extensive body of work, and he is remembered as a talented and respected actor who made significant contributions to the world of cinema.
Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford, known as Glenn Ford, was born on May 29, 1916, in Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne, Quebec, Canada. His family later moved to California, where Ford grew up. He attended Santa Monica High School and developed an early interest in acting.
Ford began his acting career in the late 1930s, initially appearing in small roles in films such as "Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence" (1939) and "Texas" (1941). He caught the attention of studio executives and signed a contract with Columbia Pictures in 1940, marking the start of his successful association with the studio.
In the 1940s, Ford gained recognition for his performances in films such as "Gilda" (1946), opposite Rita Hayworth, and "The Big Heat" (1953), directed by Fritz Lang. He demonstrated his versatility by taking on diverse roles in films like "3:10 to Yuma" (1957), a western, and "Blackboard Jungle" (1955), a drama tackling social issues.
Ford's talent as an actor earned him critical acclaim and commercial success. He received a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his performance in the film "Pocketful of Miracles" (1961). Some of his other notable films include "The Desperadoes" (1943), "A Stolen Life" (1946), "Teahouse of the August Moon" (1956), and "Superman" (1978), where he portrayed Clark Kent's adoptive father, Jonathan Kent.
In addition to his film work, Ford appeared on television, starring in the series "Cade's County" (1971-1972) and making guest appearances on shows like "The Twilight Zone" and "Columbo."
Ford's career continued into the 1980s and 1990s, with roles in films such as "Midway" (1976), "The Visitor" (1979), and "Day of the Evil Gun" (1968). He eventually retired from acting in the late 1990s, with his final on-screen appearance in the film "Final Verdict" (1991).
Glenn Ford was married four times and had one son. He was known for his professionalism, integrity, and dedication to his craft. In recognition of his contributions to the film industry, Ford was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Glenn Ford passed away on August 30, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 90. His legacy lives on through his extensive body of work, and he is remembered as a talented and respected actor who made significant contributions to the world of cinema.
Quotes:
"When I'm on camera, I have to do things pretty much the way I do things in everyday life. It gives the audience someone real to identify with."
"Ronald Reagan was a true friend and an American Patriot. We are proud of him and his service to the country. We need men like him today."
"Some actors count their lines as soon as they receive a script. I'm the opposite. I try to see how many lines I can whittle down...You can say just as much in 4 as you can in 14."
"Hell, no actor is going to tell Frank Capra how to make a picture. He has forgotten more about movie-making than most directors ever know."
- Glenn Ford
Trivia:
Often during his career he insisted on being shot looking to camera left--he had been kicked in the right side of his jaw by a horse and insisted the left side of his face was his only filmable side.
He has appeared in five films with Rita Hayworth: Affair in Trinidad (1952), The Lady in Question (1940), The Loves of Carmen (1948), The Money Trap (1965) and Gilda (1946).
Credited with being one of the fastest "guns" in Hollywood westerns; able to draw and fire in 0.4 seconds, he was faster than James Arness (Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke (1955)) and John Wayne. However, Peter Breck (Nick Barkley of The Big Valley (1965)) has been credited by Wild Western Magazine as being able to draw and fire in .16 seconds.
Went on a jungle mission with a Special Forces team during the Vietnam War.
After having been a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for a year, he joined the Marine Corps during WWII in December of 1942, and subsequently met first wife, tap-dancing extraordinaire Eleanor Powell, at a war-bond cavalcade. They married in 1943.
According to a biography of Sam Peckinpah, Ford was considered for Robert Ryan's role in The Wild Bunch (1969).
He had intended to portray Hondo Lane in Hondo (1953), but backed out when John Farrow was chosen to direct. Ford and Farrow did not got along while making Plunder of the Sun (1953), causing Ford to lose interest in the role. The role was subsequently portrayed by John Wayne.
He has appeared in five films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Gilda (1946), The Big Heat (1953), Blackboard Jungle (1955), 3:10 to Yuma (1957) and Superman (1978).
He has appeared in five films with Rita Hayworth: Affair in Trinidad (1952), The Lady in Question (1940), The Loves of Carmen (1948), The Money Trap (1965) and Gilda (1946).
Credited with being one of the fastest "guns" in Hollywood westerns; able to draw and fire in 0.4 seconds, he was faster than James Arness (Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke (1955)) and John Wayne. However, Peter Breck (Nick Barkley of The Big Valley (1965)) has been credited by Wild Western Magazine as being able to draw and fire in .16 seconds.
Went on a jungle mission with a Special Forces team during the Vietnam War.
After having been a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for a year, he joined the Marine Corps during WWII in December of 1942, and subsequently met first wife, tap-dancing extraordinaire Eleanor Powell, at a war-bond cavalcade. They married in 1943.
According to a biography of Sam Peckinpah, Ford was considered for Robert Ryan's role in The Wild Bunch (1969).
He had intended to portray Hondo Lane in Hondo (1953), but backed out when John Farrow was chosen to direct. Ford and Farrow did not got along while making Plunder of the Sun (1953), causing Ford to lose interest in the role. The role was subsequently portrayed by John Wayne.
He has appeared in five films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Gilda (1946), The Big Heat (1953), Blackboard Jungle (1955), 3:10 to Yuma (1957) and Superman (1978).
