Posted on 03/26/2008 9:37:09 AM PDT by lunarbicep
Richard Widmark, who created a villain in his first movie role who was so repellent and frightening that the actor became a star overnight, died Monday at his home in Roxbury, Conn. He was 93.
His death was announced Wednesday morning by his wife, Susan Blanchard. She said that Mr. Widmark had fractured a vertebrae in recent months and that his conditioned had worsened.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Yes, that was a favorite movie of his for me.
May God forgive him his trespasses, and welcome him in Heaven.
One of the best tough guys EVER.
A great movie heavy and a really capable bad guy.
I particularly like “Broken Lance” and “Hell and High Water”.
He will be missed.
maybe the last of the great contract actors(?)
That movie was brilliant! I loved Spencer Tracey AND Mr. Richard Widmark, of course.
The Bedford Incident was used as by US Navy for training. Sidney Poiter and Richard were intense! May he rest in peace.
I didn’t even know he was still alive. He was a great actor. May God be with his loved ones during this difficult time.
Halls of Montezuma (1950)
Lt. Carl Anderson
I liked Joseph Cotten in Gaslight.
Sympathies to his family......
Great quotes!
“Down to the sea in ships” his best.
RIP. They make few, if any, like that anymore.
Richard Widmark [speaking in 1976]: The heavies in my day were kid's stuff compared to today. Our villains had no redeeming qualities. But there's a new morality today. A villain is a guy with a frailty. Heroes are villains.
Great movie.
You don't knock The Duke and stay one of my favorites for long.
RIP Tough Guy, you where a great one.
I just happened to catch “Red Skies of Montana” (1952) for the first time on TCM last week. Richard played a smoke jumper who lost his crew in a fire. Even tho’ I consider myself a Widmark fan, I was surprised at just how good that movie was.
Here is a blurb I found on Film Critic.com circa May/June 2001
“A lifelong liberal (”I’ve never been a real activist - I just shoot my mouth off”), Widmark remains mystified by the massive popularity of Ronald Reagan: “When I knew him, he was an affable, boring fellow. Now he’s an icon. It’s incredible.” And, like half of America, he is doubly mystified by Reagan’s spiritual heir, our current president.”
He was one of the last of the all time great actors. RIP Mr. Widmark.
Indeed - One of my all-time favorites.
"Cheyenne Autumn" was one of his best...
Also, it seems, one of the last really fine men in Hollywood - intelligent and decent...
Thanks for all the fine entertainment, Sir. You've earned the good rest.
(I, too, didn't realize he was still with us!) to paraphrase" "Where have all the good men gone..."
Joseph Cotten died 14 years ago.
Rest in peace.
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