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Tod Andrews

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This article is about the American actor. For the Irish political activist, see Todd Andrews.
Tod Andrews
Born
Tod Andrews

November 10, 1914
or November 10, 1920[1]
Buffalo, New York
DiedNovember 7, 1972, age 57
Los Angeles, California
Other namesMichael Ames
Tod Williams[2]
Alma materWashington State College
OccupationActor
Spouse(s)Gloria Folland (divorce)
Alice Hooker (divorce)
Karolyn Rainwater (his death)
Parent(s)Henry Rowland Andrews and Lynda Anderson

Tod Andrews (November 10, 1914 – November 7, 1972) (Another source gives Andrews' birth date as November 10, 1920.[1]) was an American actor on the stage, screen, and television. Born in New York City, he was raised in California.

Early years

Andrews was born November 10, 1920, in Buffalo, New York. His parents were Henry Rowland Andrews and Lynda Anderson.[1] He graduated from Los Angeles High School and Washington State College.[3]

Stage

Andrews began his career as Michael Ames[1] at the Pasadena Playhouse and moved to New York City to appear onstage. Andrews acted with the Margo Jones Company in New York City from 1944 to 1948, when he was spotted by Joshua Logan. When Henry Fonda left the title role in Mister Roberts, Logan gave Andrews the part in the road production.[4]

On Broadway, Andrews played in Summer and Smoke (1948-1949) and A Girl Can Tell.[5] Billed as Michael Ames, he was in Quiet, Please! (1940), My Sister Eileen (1940-1943), Storm Operation (1944), Mrs. Kimball Presents (1944), Public Relations (1944), and That Old Devil (1944).[6]

Film

After being discovered by Jack L. Warner, head of Warner Brothers Studios, Andrews was offered a screen test, which led to a movie career.

After recovering from a suicide attempt in 1961, he returned to films in 1965, appearing as Captain Tuthill in Otto Preminger's World War II action blockbuster In Harm's Way. In 1968, Andrews appeared on film in Ted Post's Hang 'Em High as a defense attorney. Two years later, he worked again with Post in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, as James Franciscus's dying commanding officer, Colonel 'Skipper' Maddox.

His final screen appearance was as a doctor in the 1973 chiller The Baby, which was also directed by Post.

Television

Andrews' television performances included a starring role from 1957 to 1958 in the syndicated series of the American Civil War, The Gray Ghost, based on the heroic Confederate Colonel John Singleton Mosby. In 1959, he starred in the short-lived (13 episodes) Counterthrust, a syndicated series "in which he played a secret agent in the Far East battling Communism."[1]

He was cast in two episodes of the CBS sitcom, The Andy Griffith Show and in the 1962 series finale, "The Hoax," of the ABC adventure series, Straightaway, starring Brian Kelly and John Ashley.

In 1962, he portrayed the part of Holt in the episode "The Devil and the Deep Blue" on CBS's Rawhide. In 1964, he appeared in "The Bewitchin' Pool", the last original broadcast episode of The Twilight Zone. In 1973, Andrews played the President of the United States in the made-for-TV political thriller The President's Plane is Missing.

Recognition

Andrews won a Theatre World Award in 1949 for his work in Summer and Smoke.[5]

Personal life

Andrews was married three times, to Gloria Folland, Alice Hooker, and Karolyn Rainwater. The first two marriages ended in divorce, and he was married to Rainwater when he died.[1] In 1961, Andrews attempted suicide, just days before the opening of a new play titled A Whiff of Melancholy. [citation needed]

Death

Tod Andrews died of a heart attack November 6, 1972, in Los Angeles, California, three days before his 58th birthday. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. He was survived by his wife, Karolyn Rainwater, three children, and his parents.[1]

Filmography

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Aaker, Everett (2006). Encyclopedia of Early Television Crime Fighters. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6409-8. Pp. 19-20.
  2. ^ "Jimmie Fidler in Hollywood". Joplin Globe. January 20, 1949. p. 12. Retrieved October 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ "Star of Stage Show Coming to Bradford Has Skillful Career". The Bradford Era. October 3, 1952. p. 8. Retrieved October 26, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ "Fonda Takes 'Shore Leave'". Billboard. October 21, 1950. p. 52. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Tod Andrews". Playbill Vault. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Michael Ames". Playbill Vault. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
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