Charles McGraw
Charles McGraw | |
|---|---|
| File:McgrawPortrait.JPG Promotional Portrait | |
| Born | Charles Butters May 10, 1914 |
| Died | July 30, 1980 (aged 66) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1942–1977 |
| Spouse | Freda Choy Kitt (1938-1967) 1 child |
Charles Butters (May 10, 1914 – July 30, 1980), best known by his stage name Charles McGraw, was an American actor, who made his first film in 1942, albeit in a small, uncredited role. He was born in Des Moines, Iowa.
Career
McGraw developed into a leading man, especially in film noir classics during the late 1940s and 1950s. His gravelly voice and rugged looks enhanced his appeal in the noir stylistic genre, and provided him many roles as cop or gunman.[1]
Introduced with fellow "heavy" William Conrad as the two hitmen terrorizing a small town diner in the start of the 1946 film The Killers, McGraw's notable roles include: "Honest Joe" insurance investigator turned thief by love interest in the noir classic Roadblock (1951); playing the grumpy cop hired to protect Marie Windsor in the noir B-movie The Narrow Margin (1952); Kirk Douglas' gladiator trainer in the epic Spartacus; righteous cop Lt. Jim Cordell in the Armored Car Robbery (1950); and "The Preacher" in the science fiction cult classic A Boy and His Dog (1975).
McGraw is recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6927 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.[2]
Television
He also starred in the television version of Casablanca (1955) taking over Humphrey Bogart's role as Rick.
McGraw biography
In late 2007 Alan K. Rode wrote a biography of McGraw: Charles McGraw: Biography of a Film Noir Tough Guy. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look and anecdotes about his life, including: his long marriage to a Eurasian woman, his World War II military service, his film career, and the story of his death.[3]
Death
Charles McGraw died, aged 66, after slipping and falling through a glass shower door in his Studio City, California home in 1980.
Filmography
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References
- ^ Baxter, John. The Gangster Film, p. 80.; A.S. Barnes & Co: New York (1970)
- ^ Hollywood Walk of Fame web site. Last accessed: December 11, 2007.
- ^ Smith, Richard Harland. "Movie Morlocks", a Turner Classic Movies website, February 23, 2007. Last accessed: December 10, 2007.
External links
- Charles McGraw at IMDb
- Charles McGraw at AllMovie
- Please use a more specific IBDB template. See the documentation for available templates.
- Charles McGraw at Movie Morlocks (TCM web site)
- Charles McGraw at Find a Grave
- Charles McGraw's Television schedule at LocateTV