Leif Erickson

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Leif Erickson (27 October, 1911 – January 29, 1986) was an American actor.

Born William Wycliffe Anderson in Alameda, California, he appeared in films such as College Holiday (1937), Conquest (1937), Ride a Crooked Mile (1938), Sorry, Wrong Number (1948), The Snake Pit (1948), Fourteen Hours (1951), Invaders from Mars (1953), On the Waterfront (1954), Twilight for the Gods (1958), A Gathering of Eagles (1963), Roustabout (1964) and The Carpetbaggers (1964).

Perhaps his most notable role was as Deborah Kerr's macho husband in the stage and film versions of Tea and Sympathy. He also played the role of Pete, the vindictive boat engineer, in the 1951 screen remake of the famed musical Show Boat. Erickson appeared frequently on television, having been cast with Bette Davis and Sandy Descher in the 1959 episode "Dark Morning" of CBS's anthology series The DuPont Show with June Allyson. He had a lead role as patriarch Big John Cannon in the television series The High Chaparral from 1967 until 1971. His wife, Victoria, was played by Linda Cristal, and his screen son from a previous marriage, Billy Blue Cannon, by Mark Slade. Henry Darrow appeared as Erickson's brother-in-law, Manolito.

Erickson was married to actress Frances Farmer from 1936 until 1942. The same day his divorce from Farmer was finalized, he married actress Margaret Hayes. He married Ann Diamond in 1945. They had two children, William (Bill) Leif (1946) and Susan Irene (1950). His son Bill died in a car accident in 1971.

Leif Erickson died from cancer in Pensacola, Florida, on January 29, 1986.