Marshall Thompson

James Marshall Thompson (November 27, 1925 – May 18, 1992) was an American film and television actor.

Early years

Thompson was born in Peoria, Illinois. He and his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Laurence B. Thompson, moved to California when he was a year old. He attended University High School where he was a classmate of Norma Jean Baker, later to be known worldwide as Marilyn Monroe. Thompson enrolled at Occidental College with plans to become a dentist, but he switched to divinity studies.

1940s

In 1943, Thompson, known for his boy-next-door good looks, was signed by Universal Pictures. He played quiet, thoughtful teens in Universal's feature films, including a lead opposite singing star Gloria Jean in ''Reckless Age'', earning $350 weekly. During 1946, Universal discharged most of its contract players, so that same year Thompson moved over to MGM. His film roles steadily increased and improved with appearances in '' The Clock'', the lead in '' Gallant Bess'', MGM's first film shot in Cinecolor, and as one of the main stars in ''Battleground'', as a green replacement in the 101st Airborne Division during the Siege of Bastogne.

1950s

At the age of 24, Thompson narrated the storyline in '' Stars in My Crown'' (1950). He became a freelance actor during the 1950s and worked for various studios on a variety of pictures, including the horror and science fiction films ''Cult of the Cobra'' (1955), ''Fiend Without a Face'' (1958), and ''First Man Into Space'' (1959), as well as Audie Murphy's '' To Hell and Back'' (1955). His starring role as Carruthers in ''It! The Terror from Beyond Space'' (1958) was one of the two genre films that later inspired the plot for director Ridley Scott's 1979 big-budget feature ''Alien''. Thompson also starred in the short-lived (13-episodes) 1959 syndicated science fiction TV series '' World of Giants''. The drama follows Mel Hunter, a U. S. counter-espionage agent, accidentally miniaturized to just six inches in height, who must live in a dollhouse when not on missions.

1960s

By the 1960s, Thompson's boyish looks had matured and his screen persona became more authoritative. He co-starred with the Belgian-born Annie Fargé in the 33-episode CBS sitcom ''Angel'' (1960–1961) about an American architect with a charming but scatterbrained French wife, who often got into zany, Lucy Ricardo-esque situations, caused in part by her lack of fluency in the English language. The show was canceled after 33 episodes due to low ratings, despite critical acclaim for the newcomer Fargé.

He also guest starred as murderer Arthur Poe in the 1960 ''Perry Mason'' episode "The Case of the Wayward Wife".

Thompson went on to star in two Vietnam War films: '' A Yank in Viet-Nam'' (1964), which he also directed, and '' To the Shores of Hell'' (1965). The former was directed by Thompson and was shot on location in South Vietnam.

In 1965 he returned to MGM to play the lead in the Ivan Tors produced comedy-adventure film ''Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion'' (1965). He played Dr. Marsh Tracy, a veterinarian and single father, who is raising his daughter (played by animal whisperer and Golden Globe-winning Cheryl Miller) alone in Kenya. The film was then spun off into the TV series ''Daktari'' (1966–1969), in which Thompson played the same role. Though the series was shot in California and Africa, Thompson and his wife made several trips to various African nations to film second unit footage that was then used in the series and in the film ''The Mighty Jungle'' (1965).

Thompson also was the host and storyteller for the TV anthology series ''Jambo'' (1969-1971).

Later years

Later in his career, he appeared in many television episodes and in feature films such as '' The Turning Point'' (1977) and '' The Formula'' (1980).

Personal life

Thompson married Barbara Long in 1949, making him a brother-in-law of actor Richard Long, best known for his role as Jarrod Barkley in ABC's ''The Big Valley''. Thompson appeared together with his brother-in-law in the 1955 horror film thriller ''Cult of the Cobra''.

Thompson supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election.

Thompson died in 1992 from congestive heart failure at age 66 in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Filmography

Film

Thompson's 60+ film roles include:

*'' Henry Aldrich, Boy Scout'' (1944) - Senior Patrol Leader (uncredited)
*''The Purple Heart'' (1944) - Morrison (uncredited)
*''Reckless Age'' (1944) - Roy Connors
*''Blonde Fever'' (1944) - Freddie Bilson
*'' The Clock'' (1945) - Bill
*''The Valley of Decision'' (1945) - Ted Scott
*'' Twice Blessed'' (1945) - Jimmy
*''They Were Expendable'' (1945) - Ens. 'Snake' Gardner
*''Bad Bascomb

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