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Born: September 3, 1913 – Died: January 29, 1964
Alan Walbridge Ladd, an emblematic figure of classic Hollywood cinema, was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was the only child of Ina Raleigh, of English descent, and Alan Harwood Ladd, a freelance accountant. His early life was marked by tragedy with the loss of his father at a young age and a challenging childhood that followed.
Early Life and Career
Alan Ladd's journey to stardom began under harsh circumstances. After a tumultuous childhood that saw him moving from Arkansas to Oklahoma City and then to California, Ladd found solace and success in athletics during his high school years. Despite his aspirations and training for the 1932 Olympics, an injury curtailed his athletic dreams.
Undeterred, Ladd ventured into business, opening a hamburger stand, and later transitioning into the film industry as a grip at Warner Brothers Pictures. His personal life saw him marrying Midge in 1936, though financial hardships initially kept them living apart.
Ladd's foray into acting started with radio, where his talents caught the attention of a talent scout in 1939. His distinctive appearance, initially seen as unsuitable for movies, didn't hinder his progression to on-screen roles. His breakthrough came with the 1941 film "This Gun for Hire," where his portrayal of the killer Raven made him a star.
Ladd's career in the 1940s was characterized by tough-guy roles that resonated with audiences, making him a favorite on the silver screen and in movie magazines. However, his greatest role came in the 1950s with the film "Shane" (1953), hailed as his most significant performance.
Despite his professional successes, Ladd faced personal challenges, including struggles with alcohol and a series of moderate films in the late 1950s. His life ended tragically in 1964, leaving behind a legacy as a distinctive presence in Hollywood's golden era.
Alan Ladd's impact on Hollywood is undeniable. His roles, particularly in film noir and Western genres, showcased his ability to convey depth and intensity, making him a memorable and enduring figure in cinematic history. His contribution to the industry, marked by a blend of vulnerability and strength, solidifies his status as an iconic figure in Hollywood.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | The Carpetbaggers | Nevada Smith |
| 1962 | 13 West Street | Walt Sherill |
| 1961 | Duel of Champions | Horatio |
| 1960 | All the Young Men | Sgt. Kincaid |
| 1960 | One Foot in Hell | Mitch Barrett |
| 1960 | Guns of the Timberland | Jim Hadley |
| 1959 | The Man in the Net | John Hamilton |
| 1958 | The Badlanders | Peter Van Hoek ('The Dutchman') |
| 1958 | *The Proud Rebel* | John Chandler |
| 1954–1958 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Dan Donlan | Joe | Dan Holiday |
| 1958 | The Deep Six | Alexander 'Alec' Austen |
| 1957 | Boy on a Dolphin | Dr. James Calder |
| 1957 | The Big Land | Chad Morgan |
| 1956 | A Cry in the Night | Opening Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1956 | Santiago | Caleb 'Cash' Adams |
| 1955 | Hell on Frisco Bay | Steve Rollins |
| 1955 | The McConnell Story | Capt. Joseph C.'Mac' McConnell, Jr. |
| 1954 | Drum Beat | Johnny MacKay |
| 1954 | The Black Knight | John |
| 1954 | Saskatchewan | Thomas O'Rourke |
| 1954 | Hell Below Zero | Duncan Craig |
| 1953 | Paratrooper | Canada |
| 1953 | *Shane* | Shane |
| 1953 | Desert Legion | Paul Lartal |
| 1952 | Botany Bay | Hugh Tallant |
| 1952 | The Iron Mistress | Jim Bowie |
| 1952 | Thunder in the East | Steve Gibbs |
| 1951 | Red Mountain | Capt. Brett Sherwood |
| 1950 | Branded | Choya |
| 1950 | Appointment with Danger | Al Goddard |
| 1949 | Eyes of Hollywood (Short) | Unknown |
| 1949 | Captain Carey, U.S.A. | Captain Webster Carey |
| 1949 | Chicago Deadline | Ed Adams |
| 1949 | The Great Gatsby | Jay Gatsby |
| 1948 | Whispering Smith | Whispering Smith |
| 1948 | Beyond Glory | Capt. Rockwell 'Rocky' Gilman |
| 1947 | Saigon | Maj. Larry Briggs |
| 1947 | Wild Harvest | Joe Madigan |
| 1947 | Variety Girl | Alan Ladd |
| 1947 | My Favorite Brunette | Sam McCloud (uncredited) |
| 1946 | Calcutta | Neale Gordon |
| 1946 | O.S.S. | Philip Masson | John Martin |
| 1946 | The Blue Dahlia | Johnny Morrison |
| 1946 | Two Years Before the Mast | Charles Stewart |
| 1945 | Hollywood Victory Caravan (Short) | Alan Ladd |
| 1945 | Duffy's Tavern | Alan Ladd |
| 1945 | Salty O'Rourke | Salty O'Rourke |
| 1944 | And Now Tomorrow | Doctor Merek Vance |
| 1944 | Skirmish on the Home Front (Short) | Harry W. Average |
| 1943 | Photographic Intelligence for Bombardment Aviation (Short) | Capt. Smith (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Letter from a Friend (Short) | Unknown |
| 1943 | China | David Jones |
| 1942 | Star Spangled Rhythm | Alan Ladd- Scarface Skit |
| 1942 | Lucky Jordan | Lucky Jordan |
| 1942 | The Glass Key | Ed Beaumont |
| 1942 | This Gun for Hire | Philip Raven |
| 1942 | Joan of Paris | Baby |
| 1941 | I Look at You (Short) | Unknown |
| 1941 | More Worlds to Conquer (Short) | Charles Martin Hall |
| 1941 | Military Training (Short) | Lieutenant, Platoon Leader, County Fair (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Cadet Girl | Harry - Musician (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Great Guns | Soldier in Photo Shop (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Paper Bullets | Jimmy Kelly aka Bill Dugan |
| 1941 | The Black Cat | Richard Hartley |
| 1941 | *Citizen Kane* | Pipe-smoking Reporter (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Petticoat Politics | Higgins Daughter's Boyfriend |
| 1941 | The Reluctant Dragon | Al - Baby Weems Storyboard Artist |
| 1940 | Meat and Romance (Short) | Bill Allen |
| 1940 | Her First Romance | John Gilman |
| 1940 | Victory | Heyst as an 18-Year-Old (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Meet the Missus | John Williams |
| 1940 | Ellery Queen, Master Detective | Elevator Passenger (unconfirmed, uncredited) |
| 1940 | The Howards of Virginia | Backwoodsman (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Wildcat Bus | Bit (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Captain Caution | Newton |
| 1940 | American Portrait (Short) | Young Man | Old Man |
| 1940 | Cross-Country Romance | Mr. Williams - First Mate (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Blame It on Love | TV director (uncredited) |
| 1940 | Those Were the Days! | Keg Rearick |
| 1940 | The Light of Western Stars | Danny |
| 1940 | In Old Missouri | John Pittman Jr. |
| 1940 | Sauce for the Gander | Man on the Spot Reporter |
| 1940 | Brother Rat and a Baby | Cadet in Trouble (uncredited) |
| 1940 | The Green Hornet | Gilpin - Student Pilot [Ch. 3 and Ch. 4] (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Rulers of the Sea | Colin Farrell |
| 1939 | Hitler: Beast of Berlin | Karl Bach (as Allan Ladd) |
| 1939 | The Mysterious Miss X | Henchman (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Petunia Natural Park (Short) | Narrator (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Secrets of a Nurse | Hospital Orderly (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Freshman Year | Student (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Come on, Leathernecks! | Club Waiter (uncredited) |
| 1938 | The Goldwyn Follies | First Auditioning Singer (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Hold 'Em Navy | Chief Quartermaster (uncredited) |
| 1937 | All Over Town | Young Man (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Souls at Sea | Sailor (uncredited) |
| 1937 | The Last Train from Madrid | Soldier (uncredited) |
| 1936 | Pigskin Parade | Student (uncredited) |
| 1934 | Murder at the Vanities | Chorus Boy (uncredited) |
| 1933 | Saturday's Millions | Student (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Island of Lost Souls | Beast (unconfirmed, uncredited) |
| 1932 | Once in a Lifetime | Projectionist (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Tom Brown of Culver | Cadet (uncredited) |