One of the Last of a Dying Breed: Movie Star and War Hero Glenn Ford
One of the most patriotic and prolific Hollywood actors, Glenn Ford, died on Wednesday in his Beverly Hills, CA, home. He was 90.
During a 53-year career, he starred or appeared in more than 100 films, becoming one of the most enduring stars of the silver screen.
Although Canadian-born, Ford became a US citizen and professed a deep love for the United States. He caught the acting bug at the age of 4-years old.
He had starring roles in director Fritz Lang’s ‘The Big Heat’ (1953), Richard Brooks’ ‘The Blackboard Jungle’ in 1955 and ‘The Teahouse of the August Moon’ (1956) opposite Marlon Brando. He also starred in the original movie-version of ‘Ransom.’
Ford was a versatile actor playing dramatic (’Gilda,’ ‘Experiment in Terror’) and comedic (’The Gazebo,’ ‘Blondie’) roles. He was also one of the first people in the US to take up skydiving and led an adventurous life outside of Hollywood.
He was frequently paired with screen legend Rita Hayworth because of their steamy chemistry on the big screen. Hollywood legend has it that when Ford screen tested for a movie role, the director advised him to give up pursuing an acting career.
Ford started his acting career in 1939, but when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, he put his acting career on hold and joined the US Marines eventually rising to the rank of captain. He fought in the Battle of Midway. Later, he served as an officer in the US Navy and did two tours in Vietnam. He was always modest about his military achievements and decorations.
A political conservative, Ford was known in Hollywood as an staunch anti-communist and supporter of American military power.
Glenn Ford never considered himself “special” because he gave up the glitter of Hollywood for a foxhole in the Pacific islands during World War II. He felt he was doing what so many of his colleagues were doing — colleagues such as Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Robert Taylor, Eddie Albert, Lee Marvin, and many others.
Can readers name one Hollywood star who’s put his own career on hold to serve in the US military during the war against Islamic Fascism?
Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he's a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). In addition, he's the former editor for the House Conservatives Fund's weblog. Kouri also serves as political advisor for Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor Michael Moriarty. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer for TheConservativeVoice.Com and PHXnews.com. He's also a columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. To subscribe to Kouri's newsletter write to COPmagazine@aol.com and write "Subscription" on the subject line. | More from Jim Kouri, CPP
Stumble It!
September 1st, 2006 at 11:00 am
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