*** Welcome to piglix ***

Broderick Crawford

Broderick Crawford
Broderick Crawford 1970.JPG
Crawford in The Interns (1971)
Born William Broderick Crawford
(1911-12-09)December 9, 1911
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died April 26, 1986(1986-04-26) (aged 74)
Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
Resting place Ferndale Cemetery, Johnstown, New York
Occupation Actor
Years active 1935–1985
Spouse(s) Kay Griffith
(m. 1940; div. 1958)

Joan Tabor
(m. 1962; div. 1967)

Mary Alice Moore
(m. 1973; his death 1986)
Children 2

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 Matthews in the television series Highway Patrol (1955-1959).

Crawford was born William Broderick Crawford in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Lester Crawford and Helen Broderick, who were both vaudeville performers, as his grandparents had been. Lester Crawford appeared in films in the 1920s and 1930s; his mother had a minor career in Hollywood comedies, including a memorable appearance as Madge in the classic musical Top Hat. Young William joined his parents on the stage, working for producer Max Gordon. After graduating from high school in Franklin, Mass, 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 on 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. He gained fame in 1937 as Lenny in Of Mice and Men on Broadway. He moved to Hollywood, but did not play the role in the film version. In 1939, he was selected for a supporting role in the production of Beau Geste. He followed this up with another important supporting actor role in the 1942 gangster spoof Larceny, Inc., a comedy with Edward G. Robinson.


...
Wikipedia

...