Close, but no banana, I guess...
Posted on 08/30/2006 7:53:46 PM PDT by Borges
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Actor Glenn Ford, who played strong, thoughtful protagonists in films such as "The Blackboard Jungle," "Gilda" and "The Big Heat," died Wednesday, police said. He was 90.
Paramedics called to Ford's home just before 4 p.m. found Ford dead, police Sgt. Terry Nutall said, reading a prepared statement. "They do not suspect foul play," he said.
Ford suffered a series of strokes in the 1990s.
Failing health forced him to skip a 90th birthday tribute on May 1 at Hollywood's historic Grauman's Egyptian Theatre. But he did send greetings via videotape, adding, "I wish I were up and around, but I'm doing the best that I can.... There's so much I have to be grateful for."
At the event, Shirley Jones, who co-starred with him in the comedy "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," called Ford "one of the cornerstones of our industry, and there aren't many left."
Ford appeared in scores of films during his 53-year Hollywood career. The Film Encyclopedia, a reference book, lists 85 films from 1939 to 1991.
He was cast usually as the handsome tough, but his acting talents ranged from romance to comedy. His more famous credits include "Superman," "Gilda," "The Sheepman," "The Gazebo," "Pocketful of Miracles" and "Don't Go Near the Water."
Amen and amen.
For one thing, you could tell them apart visually because they weren't all clients of the same plastic surgeon.
And then there's that whole all American acting thing.
Sigh. I miss at least the facade of dignity Hollywood used to have.
He made so many great movies, it's hard to list them.
But one of my favorites is a 1965 contemporary western comedy called "The Rounders."
Another is "Don't Go Near the Water", a 1957 comedy about the U.S. Navy in WWII. I hope both of these come out in DVD.
R.I.P. Glenn.
Close, but no banana, I guess...
Ford was definitely one of the greatest. Does anybody happen to know his political stance? I.e., was he just another Hollywierd liberal?
Instead we mostly hear about people like Tom Cruise.
Those old "black and white" guys bring back the old times, don't they? Speaking for myself, that is. But I always enjoyed his work.
Ford visited our ship, the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2), while we were off the coast of Vietnam. He autographed a picture that is the first page in our cruise book. A real patriot.
The end comes to all of us. He was quite an actor and made many memorable films. "The Cowboy" (with Jack Lemmon) comes to mind and his part as Admiral Ray Spruance in "Midway" among many others. RIP. You did good.
Lee Remick, and I forget the asthmatic bad guy's name, but he later played in Wild Wild West with James Conrad.
I am a huge fan of old b/w movies...even though they are slightly before my time. (I was born in '65)
One day, when my son was 3, we were watching a classic and he looked at me and asked..."So mom, when you were little, was the world in black and white?"
I am still not sure how to answer that. ; ) But I will say that from a young age, they were introduced to classic movies instead of most of the absolute garbage that passes for kids fare these days.
What a crush I had on him. The strong silent type --- and that smile! I hope he wasn't alone when he died. May he rest in peace.
RIP Mr Ford.
1948 for me...grew up with all that stuff.
I haven't watched any of it in a while, I probably should.
Wife and daughter get Netflix, maybe I'll request some of the old movies.
Yes! He was one really really good looking man! When he was young, middle aged and older, didn't matter. ....good lookin the whole way through!! Not to mention there was always something very stoic and patient about him. He radiated kindness.
going to miss him:( The world lost alot of equity today.
Thanks for the memories...."Gilda" my favorite
(TCM played "Blackboard Jungle" this morning at 6 am (August is their "Summer Under the Stars" Month and today they featured Sidney Poitier, Glenn Ford had the starring role in that film.)
Last I heard his son was going to run for Republican office in CA.
RIP Glenn Ford and thanks for all the great entertainment.
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