[32], Ladd briefly served in the United States Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit. [46][47][48] He was meant to be re-inducted on September 4, 1944,[47] but Paramount succeeded in getting this pushed back again to make Salty O'Rourke. Do you remember watching Alan Ladd in some of your favorite Western films? He often portrayed a solitary hero with a conscience and is best known for his title role in the classic western Shane (1953). Dawber has married to NCIS star Mark Harmon for more than three [] More, Jan Smithers is a former television actress that is best known for her portrayal of the character Bailey Quarters on the television series WKRP in Cincinnati. Released posthumously, the film was among the highest-grossing pictures of the year. "[127] To compensate for Ladd's height, during the filming of Boy on a Dolphin, co-starring the 5ft 8in (173cm) Sophia Loren, the cinematographer used special low stands to light Ladd and the crew built a ramp system of heavy planks to enable the two actors to stand at equal eye level. (Getty Images). He was 84. He's remembered as one of the most talented performers in the Western genre and had a reputation as a great professional. Chelsea Ladd Obituary (2021) - Los Angeles, CA - Legacy.com [19] The New York Times wrote that: Tuttle and the studio are showing more than a passing enthusiasm for Ladd. "Para. Popular actor who played the title role in the 1953 western movie, Shane. Alan Walbridge Ladd Jr. (October 22, 1937 - March 2, 2022) was an American film industry executive and producer. [13][14] Bard later claimed Ladd "was such a shy guy he just wouldn't speak up loud and strong. Alan Ladd's Death - Cause and Date. He was also the producer for the upcoming film North of Cheyenne. If you liked this story, hit the like button and be sure to Subscribe to FactsVerse for more great stories! Lets hear your thoughts in the comments. Alan Ladd Jr., Oscar-Winning Producer Who Greenlit Star Wars, Dead at At 20, Ladd graduated from high school on February 1, 1934. He worked a series of odd jobs and began auditioning for roles. Nat King Cole's last movie Cat Ballou released four months after his death in 1965. [87] For Warners, he then made The McConnell Story (1955), co-starring June Allyson, which also proved popular. In 1960, the film producer, Diane Ladd, married famous actor Bruce Dern. Following financial troubles, the family moved to California when Alan was 7 with the hopes of finding more opportunities and a better life in the Golden State. Nat King Cole's last movie Cat Ballou released four months after his death in 1965. Eventually, The Blue Dahlia was released to great acclaim (Raymond Chandler was nominated for an Oscar for the screenplay), quickly followed by O.S.S., and finally, Two Years Before the Mast. Ladd also kept acting, following the path of many Hollywood stars made Duel of Champions (1961), a peplum in Italy. [45][56][57] Exhibitors voted him the 15th-most popular star in the country. [89] However, despite Ladd's presence, a series did not result. On January 29, 1964, his butler said that he saw Ladd on his bed at 10 am; when he returned at 3:30pm, he found Ladd dead on his bed. . [62] (The following year, he earned $107,000.
