Brod Crawford
| Broderick Crawford | |
|---|---|
Crawford in The Interns (1971)
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| Born |
William Broderick Crawford December 9, 1911 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | April 26, 1986 (aged 74) Rancho Mirage, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Ferndale Cemetery, Johnstown, New York |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1931–1985 |
| Spouse(s) |
Kay Griffith (m. 1940; div. 1958) Joan Tabor (m. 1962; div. 1967) Mary Alice Moore (m. 1973; his death 1986) |
| Children | 2 |
William Broderick Crawford (December 9, 1911 – April 26, 1986) was an American stage, film, radio, and TV actor, often cast in tough-guy roles and best known for his portrayal of Willie Stark in All the King's Men and for his starring role as Chief Dan Mathews in the television series Highway Patrol (1955–1959).
Until filming All the King's Men, Crawford's career had been largely limited to "B films" in supporting or character roles. He realized he did not fit the role of a handsome leading man, once describing himself as looking like a "retired pugilist". Nevertheless, he excelled in roles playing villains.
Crawford was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Lester Crawford and Helen Broderick, who were both vaudeville performers, as his grandparents had been. Lester appeared in films in the 1920s and 1930s. Helen had a career in Hollywood comedies, including a memorable appearance as Madge in the classic musical Top Hat and as Mabel Anderson in the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film Swing Time.
Young William joined his parents on the stage, working for producer Max Gordon. After graduating from high school in Franklin, Massachusetts, Crawford was accepted by Harvard College where he enrolled. However, after only three weeks at Harvard he dropped out to work as a stevedore on the New York docks.
Crawford returned to vaudeville and radio, which included a period with the Marx Brothers in the radio comedy show Flywheel, Shyster, and Flywheel.
He played his first serious character as a footballer in She Loves Me Not at the Adelphi Theatre, London in 1932. Crawford was originally stereotyped as a fast-talking tough guy early in his career and often played villainous parts.
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