Ray Milland
Ray Milland, born on January 3, 1907, and passed away on March 10, 1986, was a Welsh-American actor and director. He was born as Reginald Alfred John Truscott-Jones in Neath, Glamorgan, Wales. Milland began his career in British films in the late 1920s before making a successful transition to Hollywood in the 1930s.
In his early years, Milland appeared in several British films, gaining recognition for his performances. His breakout role came in the 1930 film "The Flying Scotsman," which led to a contract with Paramount Pictures. He quickly established himself as a versatile actor, starring in a wide range of genres, including dramas, comedies, and thrillers.
Milland's notable films from the 1940s include "The Major and the Minor" (1942), directed by Billy Wilder, and "Ministry of Fear" (1944), directed by Fritz Lang. However, his most significant success came with his role in the 1945 film "The Lost Weekend," directed by Billy Wilder. In the film, Milland portrayed an alcoholic writer, and his powerful performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Milland continued to work in film and television, showcasing his talent and versatility. Some of his notable films from this period include "Dial M for Murder" (1954), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and "The Man with X-Ray Eyes" (1963), directed by Roger Corman.
In addition to acting, Milland also ventured into directing. He made his directorial debut with the film "Hostile Witness" (1968), in which he also starred. He went on to direct and act in several other films, including "Panic in the City" (1968) and "A Man Alone" (1970).
Ray Milland's career spanned over five decades, and he appeared in more than 150 films and television shows. He was known for his suave demeanor, distinctive voice, and ability to portray a wide range of characters. Milland's contribution to the film industry was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ray Milland passed away on March 10, 1986, in Torrance, California, at the age of 79. He left behind a rich legacy as a talented actor and director, remembered for his memorable performances on screen.
In his early years, Milland appeared in several British films, gaining recognition for his performances. His breakout role came in the 1930 film "The Flying Scotsman," which led to a contract with Paramount Pictures. He quickly established himself as a versatile actor, starring in a wide range of genres, including dramas, comedies, and thrillers.
Milland's notable films from the 1940s include "The Major and the Minor" (1942), directed by Billy Wilder, and "Ministry of Fear" (1944), directed by Fritz Lang. However, his most significant success came with his role in the 1945 film "The Lost Weekend," directed by Billy Wilder. In the film, Milland portrayed an alcoholic writer, and his powerful performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Milland continued to work in film and television, showcasing his talent and versatility. Some of his notable films from this period include "Dial M for Murder" (1954), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, and "The Man with X-Ray Eyes" (1963), directed by Roger Corman.
In addition to acting, Milland also ventured into directing. He made his directorial debut with the film "Hostile Witness" (1968), in which he also starred. He went on to direct and act in several other films, including "Panic in the City" (1968) and "A Man Alone" (1970).
Ray Milland's career spanned over five decades, and he appeared in more than 150 films and television shows. He was known for his suave demeanor, distinctive voice, and ability to portray a wide range of characters. Milland's contribution to the film industry was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ray Milland passed away on March 10, 1986, in Torrance, California, at the age of 79. He left behind a rich legacy as a talented actor and director, remembered for his memorable performances on screen.
Quotes:
[on Hedda Hopper] "She was venomous, vicious, a pathological liar, and quite stupid."
[when asked why he had appeared in so many bad films late in his career] "For the money, old chap, for the money!
"My philosophy is do what you can with what you've got. I know actors from my generation who cry "Why don't they send me any scripts?". I tell them, "Because you still think of yourself as a leading man. You're 68, not 38. Face it."
- Ray Milland
Trivia:
When working on I Wanted Wings (1941), with Brian Donlevy and William Holden, he went up with a pilot to test a plane for filming. While up in the air, Ray decided to do a parachute jump (being an avid amateur parachutist) but, just before he could disembark, the plane began to sputter and the pilot said not to jump as they were running low on gas and he needed to land. Well, once on the ground and in the hangar, Ray began to tell his story of how he had wanted to do a jump. As he told the story, the color ran out of the costume man's face. When asked why, he told Ray that the parachute he had worn up in the plane was "just a prop". There had been no parachute.
Had a near-fatal accident on the set of Hotel Imperial (1939). One scene called for him to lead a cavalry charge through a small village. An accomplished horseman, Milland insisted upon doing this scene himself. As he was making a scripted jump on the horse, his saddle came loose, sending him flying straight into a pile of broken masonary. Laid up in the hospital for weeks with multiple fractures and lacerations, he was lucky to be alive.
Only got the lead role in The Lost Weekend (1945)) because Paramount vetoed writer-director Billy Wilder's first choice for the role, Broadway actor José Ferrer. Hedging its bets, Paramount demanded the casting of a star to headline the risky production, but Cary Grant and most of the other leading male stars of the day turned Wilder down. Milland got the role by default and won an Oscar.
Had a near-fatal accident on the set of Hotel Imperial (1939). One scene called for him to lead a cavalry charge through a small village. An accomplished horseman, Milland insisted upon doing this scene himself. As he was making a scripted jump on the horse, his saddle came loose, sending him flying straight into a pile of broken masonary. Laid up in the hospital for weeks with multiple fractures and lacerations, he was lucky to be alive.
Only got the lead role in The Lost Weekend (1945)) because Paramount vetoed writer-director Billy Wilder's first choice for the role, Broadway actor José Ferrer. Hedging its bets, Paramount demanded the casting of a star to headline the risky production, but Cary Grant and most of the other leading male stars of the day turned Wilder down. Milland got the role by default and won an Oscar.
