Richard Long (actor)
| Richard Long | |
|---|---|
Long in 1970
|
|
| Born |
December 17, 1927 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | December 21, 1974 (aged 47) Los Angeles, California |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1946–74 |
| Spouse(s) | Suzan Ball (1954–1955; her death) Mara Corday (1957–1974; his death) |
| Children | Carey (1957–2008) Valerie (b. 1958) Gregory (b. 1960) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 U.S. Army
|
| Years of service | 1950–1952 |
| Rank |
 Private first class
|
| Battles/wars | Korean War, Cold War |
Richard Long (December 17, 1927 – December 21, 1974) was an American actor best known for his leading roles in three ABC television series, including The Big Valley, Nanny and the Professor, and Bourbon Street Beat. He was also a series regular on ABC's 77 Sunset Strip from 1960 to 1962.
Long was the fifth of six children born in Chicago, Illinois, to Sherman D. Long, a commercial artist who operated his own studio, and Dale McCord Long. The family settled in Evanston, where Long attended grammar school. He attended Waller High School in Chicago and Evanston Township High School. The family relocated again in 1944, to Hollywood, California, and Long attended Hollywood High School for his senior year. Long said that as a teenager he had "no intention of becoming an actor. I took senior drama class because it was a snap course, and I needed the credit for my English requirement."
At Hollywood High School, Long caught the eye of a talent scout from Universal-International by accident. Casting director Jack Murton gave a ride to a couple of students and asked them if a school play was scheduled. The boys told Murton about the excellent male lead actor, Richard Long.
In 1946, Long was cast in his first film, Tomorrow Is Forever as Drew, the son of Claudette Colbert and Orson Welles. The role had been unfilled for months, and producers selected Long who most closely matched the credentials required.
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