William Paul Lundigan (June 12, 1914 – December 20, 1975) was an American film actor. His more than 125 films include '' Dodge City'' (1939), ''

The Fighting 69th ''The Fighting 69th'' is a 1940 American war film starring James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, and George Brent. The plot is based upon the actual exploits of New York City's 69th Infantry Regiment during World War I. The regiment was given that ni ...

'' (1940), ''

The Sea Hawk ''The Sea Hawk'' is a 1915 novel by Rafael Sabatini. The story is set over the years 1588–1593 and concerns a retired Cornish seafaring gentleman, Sir Oliver Tressilian, who is villainously betrayed by a jealous half-brother. After being ...

'' (1940), ''

Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century route through central North America that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell, who departed from the Boonslick region along the Missouri River, ...

'' (1940), '' Dishonored Lady'' (1947), '' Pinky'' (1949), ''

Love Nest ''Love Nest'' is a 1951 American comedy-drama film directed by Joseph Newman and starring June Haver, William Lundigan, Frank Fay, and Marilyn Monroe. The post- World War II comedy features an early supporting role for Monroe. It is one of t ...

'' (1951) with

Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe (; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; 1 June 1926 4 August 1962) was an American actress. Famous for playing comedic " blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, as wel ...

, '' The House on Telegraph Hill'' (1951), ''

I'd Climb the Highest Mountain '' I'd Climb the Highest Mountain'' is a 1951 Technicolor religious drama film made by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation. It was directed by Henry King and produced by Lamar Trotti from a screenplay by King and Trotti. The story is based ...

'' (1951) and '' Inferno'' (1953).

Biography

Growing up in

Syracuse, New York Syracuse ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States. It is the fifth-most populous city in the state of New York following New York City, Buffalo, Yonkers, and Rochester. At the 2020 census, the city' ...

, Lundigan was the oldest of four sons. His father, Michael F. Lundigan, owned a shoe store (at which Lundigan worked) in the same building as a local radio station, WFBL. Becoming fascinated by radio, he was playing child roles on radio and producing radio plays at 16.William Lundigan, vet of 125 movies, dies at 61 Chicago Tribune 22 Dec 1975: c11. A graduate of Nottingham High School, Lundigan studied law at

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...

, earning money as a radio announcer at WFBL. He graduated and passed the

bar examination A bar examination is an examination administered by the bar association of a jurisdiction that a lawyer must pass in order to be admitted to the bar of that jurisdiction. Australia Administering bar exams is the responsibility of the bar associ ...

before events changed his career path. Charles Rogers, a

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Americ ...

production chief, heard Lundigan's voice, met him, arranged a

screen test A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an actor or actress for performing on film or in a particular role. The performer is generally given a scene, or selected lines and actions, and instructed to perform in front of a came ...

and signed him to a motion picture contract in 1937.Actor William Lundigan Dies; Began Career in 1937: LUNDIGAN Thackrey, Ted, Jr. Los Angeles Times 22 Dec 1975: b3

Universal

He was in '' Armored Car'' (1937) billed as "Larry Parker". Then his name was changed to "William Lundigan" for '' West Bound Limited'' (1937). Lundigan was billed third in '' The Lady Fights Back'' (1937) then promoted to male lead for '' That's My Story!'' (1937). He was back down the cast list for '' The Black Doll'' (1938) and '' Reckless Living'' (1938) but was the male lead for ''

State Police State police, provincial police or regional police are a type of sub-national territorial police force found in nations organized as federations, typically in North America, South Asia, and Oceania. These forces typically have jurisdiction o ...

'' (1938). He had support parts in '' Wives Under Suspicion'' (1938) directed by

James Whale James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who spent the greater part of his career in Hollywood. He is best remembered for several horror films: '' Frankenstein'' (1931), '' The ...

, ''

Danger on the Air ''Danger on the Air'' is a 1938 American mystery film directed by Otis Garrett. The film was based on the novel ''Death Catches Up with Mr. Kluck'' by author Xanthippe. Plot summary Nan Grey, as Christina "Steenie" MacCorkle, a radio advertising ...

'' (1938), '' The Missing Guest'' (1938), and '' Freshman Year'' (1938). Lundigan was one of the romantic leads in '' Three Smart Girls Grow Up'' (1939). He was borrowed by Warners for a support part in '' Dodge City'' (1939). Lundigan was top billed in '' They Asked for It'' (1939) then was Sigrid Gurie's leading man in '' The Forgotten Woman'' (1939). He supported in '' Legion of Lost Flyers'' (1939). He said "nothing much happened" of his time at Universal and left the studio.CLIMBING TO THE HEIGHTS: William Lundigan Steps Out After Years Of Being Shackled by Type-Casting Origin HEROINE By HOWARD THOMPSON. New York Times 24 Dec 1950: 43.

Warner Bros

Lundigan signed with Warner Bros, where he had support roles in '' The Old Maid'' (1939), ''

'' (1940), '' 3 Cheers for the Irish'' (1940), '' The Man Who Talked Too Much'' (1940), '' Young America Flies'' (1940, a short), ''

'' (1940), ''

Service with the Colors ''Service with the Colors'' is a 1940 American short drama film directed by B. Reeves Eason. It was nominated for an Academy Award at the 13th Academy Awards for Best Short Subject (Two-Reel). Cast * Robert Armstrong as Sgt. Clicker * Willi ...

'' (1940, a short), '' East of the River'' (1940), and ''

'' (1940). Lundigan later described this period as "I was always turning up as Olivia de Havilland's weak brother. Well, I got in a rut - that old bugaboo, type casting - and made one quickie after another." Warners promoted him to the lead of some "B"s, '' The Case of the Black Parrot'' (1941) and '' A Shot in the Dark'' (1941); he was support in ''

The Great Mr. Nobody ''The Great Mr. Nobody'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and written by Ben Markson and Kenneth Gamet. The film stars Eddie Albert, Joan Leslie, Alan Hale, Sr., William Lundigan, John Litel, Charles Trowbridge and ...

'' (1941), ''

Highway West ''Highway West'' is a 1941 American crime film directed by William C. McGann and starring Brenda Marshall, Arthur Kennedy and William Lundigan. It is a remake of the 1934 film ''Heat Lightning''.Goble p.1 The film's sets were designed by the ar ...

'' (1941) and '' International Squadron'' (1941). Lundigan then had a lead in '' Sailors on Leave'' (1941) for Republic Pictures.

MGM

Lundigan went to MGM where he had support roles in '' The Bugle Sounds'' (1942) and ''

The Courtship of Andy Hardy ''The Courtship of Andy Hardy'' is a 1942 film, part of the Andy Hardy series. It gave an early role to Donna Reed although Mickey Rooney had lobbied for his then-wife Ava Gardner to have her part. Within a few months of the film's release, she f ...

'' (1942). He was promoted to the lead of a "B", ''

Sunday Punch The following is a ''list of phrases from sports'' that have become idioms (slang or otherwise) in English. They have evolved usages and meanings independent of sports and are often used by those with little knowledge of these games. The sport fr ...

'' (1942) and had the second lead in '' Apache Trail'' (1942) and '' Northwest Rangers'' (1942). He reprised his role from the Andy Hardy series in ''

Andy Hardy's Double Life ''Andy Hardy's Double Life'' is a 1942 comedy film directed by George B. Seitz. It was the thirteenth installment of MGM's enormously popular Andy Hardy film series starring Mickey Rooney as the title character. It was the feature film debut o ...

'' (1942) and supported in ''

Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case ''Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case'' is a 1943 film in the Dr. Kildare series. Based on characters created by Max Brand. The third of MGM's Dr. Gillespie series (6 in all) to dispense with the services of Dr. Kildare (Lew Ayres) (8 in all) after ''D ...

'' (1943) and ''

Salute to the Marines ''Salute to the Marines'' is a 1943 World War II propaganda war film drama in Technicolor from MGM, produced by John W. Considine Jr., directed by S. Sylvan Simon, and starring Wallace Beery. The film co-stars Fay Bainter, Reginald Owen, Ray C ...

'' (1943). Republic asked him back to play the lead in ''

Headin' for God's Country ''Headin' for God's Country'' is a 1943 American action film directed by William Morgan and written by Houston Branch and Elizabeth Meehan. The film stars William Lundigan, Virginia Dale, Harry Davenport, Harry Shannon, Addison Richards and ...

'' (1943).

World War Two

He enlisted in the

U.S. Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through co ...

for World War II and served as a combat cameraman in the Battle of Peleliu and the

Battle of Okinawa The , codenamed Operation Iceberg, was a major battle of the Pacific War fought on the island of Okinawa by United States Army (USA) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) forces against the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). The initial invasion of ...

, returning at war's end as a Corporal. He was wounded on Okinawa.

Post War

William Lundigan in The Fabulous Dorseys

Lundigan returned to Hollywood and tried freelancing. He had support roles in some independent movies, '' The Fabulous Dorseys'' (1947) and '' Dishonored Lady'' (1947). He was the leading man in Republic's '' The Inside Story'' (1948) and was top billed in '' Mystery in Mexico'' (1948), '' State Department: File 649'' (1949) and ''

Follow Me Quietly ''Follow Me Quietly'' is a 1949 semidocumentary film noir / police procedural film directed by Richard Fleischer. The drama features William Lundigan, Dorothy Patrick, Jeff Corey, and others. Plot A mysterious killer, known only as "The Judge" ...

'' (1949). He decided to try acting on stage and was cast by

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

in a revival of '' What Price Glory?''.

20th Century Fox

Lundigan's career revived when he successfully auditioned for the role of Jeanne Crain's romantic interest in '' Pinky'' (1949) at 20th Century Fox, initially directed by Ford (

Elia Kazan Elia Kazan (; born Elias Kazantzoglou ( el, Ηλίας Καζαντζόγλου); September 7, 1909 – September 28, 2003) was an American film and theatre director, producer, screenwriter and actor, described by ''The New York Times'' as "one o ...

took over). The movie was a huge hit and the studio signed him to a long-term contract. He went on to be leading man to Dorothy McGuire in '' Mother Didn't Tell Me'' (1950), June Haver in '' I'll Get By'' (1950) and ''

'' (1951),

Susan Hayward Susan Hayward (born Edythe Marrenner; June 30, 1917 – March 14, 1975) was an American film actress, best known for her film portrayals of women that were based on true stories. After working as a fashion model for the Walter Thornton Model A ...

in ''

'' (1951). He was also in '' The House on Telegraph Hill'' (1951) and '' Elopement'' (1951), and was the male lead in '' Down Among the Sheltering Palms'' (1952) and ''

Serpent of the Nile ''Serpent of the Nile'' is a 1953 Technicolor historical adventure film produced by Sam Katzman and directed by William Castle. The film starred Rhonda Fleming, Raymond Burr, William Lundigan and Michael Ansara. In an early role, actress Julie Ne ...

'' (1953). The ''New York Times'' called him "the male counterpart to the girl next door".William Lundigan, Actor, Dead; Made 125 Films Over 38 Years New York Times 22 Dec 1975: 31 He had a good part in '' Inferno'' (1953).

Television

Lucille Ball Aldo Ray, William Lundigan Desilu Playhouse 1958

Lundigan began appearing on TV shows like ''

Lux Video Theatre ''Lux Video Theatre'' is an American television anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1957. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays. Overview The ''Lux Vid ...

'', '' Schlitz Playhouse'', '' General Electric Theater'', '' The Ford Television Theatre'', and ''

The Star and the Story ''The Star and the Story'' is an American television anthology series which aired 1955–1956 in first-run syndication. A filmed half-hour series, episodes were approximately 25 minutes long, excluding commercials. Produced by Four Star Product ...

'' and was host for '' Climax!'' and ''

Shower of Stars ''Shower of Stars'' (also known as ''Chrysler Shower of Stars'') is an American variety television series broadcast live in the United States from 1954 to 1958 by CBS. The series was broadcast in color which was a departure from the usual CBS p ...

''. He had the lead in some low budget films like ''

Riders to the Stars ''Riders to the Stars'' is a 1954 independently made American science fiction film produced by Ivan Tors Productions and released by United Artists. The film was directed by Richard Carlson (who also stars) and Herbert L. Strock (uncredited) a ...

'' (1954), ''

Dangerous Voyage ''Dangerous Voyage'' is a 1954 British mystery crime film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring William Lundigan, Naomi Chance and Vincent Ball. It was produced as a second feature for distribution by Anglo-Amalgamated.Chibnall & McFarlane p. ...

'' (1954) and '' The White Orchid'' (1954), the latter for

Reginald Le Borg Reginald Le Borg (11 December 1902 – 25 March 1989) was an Austrian film director. He was born in Vienna, Austria with the surname Groebel and directed 68 films between 1936 and 1974. Le Borg made a series of low-budget horror films at U ...

. He mostly worked on television now, such as episodes of '' Science Fiction Theatre'', ''

Playhouse 90 ''Playhouse 90'' was an American television anthology drama series that aired on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. The show was produced at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of th ...

'' and '' Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse'', and travelled the country extensively selling automobiles. From September 30, 1959, to September 7, 1960, Lundigan portrayed Col. Edward McCauley in the CBS

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...

, '' Men into Space''. In 1961, Lundigan was cast as Nathaniel Norgate in the episode, "Dangerous Crossing", on the syndicated

anthology series An anthology series is a radio, television, video game or film series that spans different genres and presents a different story and a different set of characters in each different episode, season, segment, or short. These usually have a dif ...

, '' Death Valley Days'', hosted by Stanley Andrews. The story focuses on religious settlers who encounter outlaws operating an illegal tollgate. He had the lead in ''

The Underwater City ''The Underwater City'' is a 1962 American science fiction film in Eastmancolor, about overcoming engineering obstacles for establishing an underwater living environment. The film was directed by Frank McDonald, produced by Alex Gordon and wr ...

'' (1962) and guest starred on '' The Dick Powell Theatre '', '' Run for Your Life'', '' Medical Center'' and '' Marcus Welby, M.D.''. His last film was ''

The Way West ''The Way West'' is a 1949 western novel by A. B. Guthrie, Jr. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1950 and became the basis for a film starring Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, and Richard Widmark. The novel is one in the sequence of ...

'' (1967).

Politics

In 1963 and 1964, Lundigan joined fellow actors Walter Brennan,

Chill Wills Theodore Childress "Chill" Wills (July 18, 1902 – December 15, 1978) was an American actor and a singer in the Avalon Boys quartet. Early life Wills was born in Seagoville, Texas, on July 18, 1902. Career He was a performer from early chi ...

, and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., in making appearances on behalf of

U.S. Senator The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and power ...

Barry M. Goldwater Barry Morris Goldwater (January 2, 1909 – May 29, 1998) was an American politician and United States Air Force officer who was a five-term U.S. Senator from Arizona (1953–1965, 1969–1987) and the Republican Party nominee for preside ...

, the Republican nominee in the campaign against U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. Lundigan himself waged an unsuccessful campaign for a nominally non-partisan seat on the

Los Angeles City Council The Los Angeles City Council is the legislative body of the City of Los Angeles in California. The council is composed of 15 members elected from single-member districts for four-year terms. The president of the council and the president pro temp ...

Family

Lundigan married Rena Morgan, and they had a daughter, Anastasia.

Death

Lundigan died at the age of 61 of apparent heart failure at City of Hope Medical Center in

Duarte Duarte may refer to: * Duarte (surname), person's surname (or composed surname) and given name * Duarte, California, United States * Duarte Province, Dominican Republic * Pico Duarte, mountain in the Dominican Republic See also

* * {{disambigu ...

, California.

Radio appearances

*1951 '' Screen Guild Players'' ("Apartment for Peggy") *1952 ''Stars in the Air'' ("Deep Waters")

Filmography

*1937: '' Armored Car'' as Henry Hutchins *1937: '' West Bound Limited'' as Dispatcher *1937: '' The Lady Fights Back'' as Doug McKenzie *1937: '' That's My Story'' as Howard Field *1937: '' A Girl with Ideas'' as Herman (uncredited) *1937: '' Prescription for Romance'' as Officer (uncredited) *1938: ''

The Jury's Secret ''The Jury's Secret'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Edward Sloman and starring Kent Taylor, Fay Wray, and Jane Darwell. Cast *Kent Taylor as Walter Rusell *Fay Wray as Linda Ware *Jane Darwell as Mrs. Sheldon *Nan Grey as Mary Norris ...

'' as Announcer (uncredited) *1938: '' The Black Doll'' as Rex Leland *1938: '' Reckless Living'' as Stanley Shaw *1938: '' The Crime of Doctor Hallet'' as Party Guest (uncredited) *1938: ''

'' as Pvt. Smith / Bill Clarke *1938: ''

Sinners in Paradise ''Sinners in Paradise'' is a 1938 American south seas adventure film directed by James Whale and starring Madge Evans, John Boles, Bruce Cabot, Marion Martin and Gene Lockhart. In 1966, the film entered the public domain in the United States bec ...

'' as Radio Announcer (voice, uncredited) *1938: '' Wives Under Suspicion'' as Phil *1938: ''

'' as Dave Chapman *1938: '' Letter of Introduction'' as Minor Role (uncredited) *1938: '' The Missing Guest'' as Larry Dearden *1938: '' Freshman Year'' as Bob Potter *1939: '' Three Smart Girls Grow Up'' as Richard Watkins *1939: '' Dodge City'' as Lee Irving *1939: ''They Asked for It'' as Steve Lewis *1939: '' The Forgotten Woman'' as Terence Kennedy *1939: '' The Old Maid'' as Lanning Halsey *1939: '' Legion of Lost Flyers'' as Ralph Perry *1940: ''

'' as Timmy Wynn *1940: ''

Three Cheers for the Irish ''Three Cheers for the Irish'' is a 1940 comedy film directed by Lloyd Bacon, written by Richard Macaulay and Jerry Wald, and starring Priscilla Lane, Thomas Mitchell and Dennis Morgan. The supporting cast features Virginia Grey, Alan Hale, Sr. ...

'' as Michael Flaherty *1940: '' The Man Who Talked Too Much'' as John L. Forbes *1940: ''Young America Flies'' (Short) as Bill Brown *1940: ''

'' as Danny Logan *1940: ''

'' (Short) as Thomas Stanton *1940: '' East of the River'' as Nicholas Antonio 'Nick' Lorenzo *1940: ''

'' as Bob Holliday *1941: '' The Case of the Black Parrot'' as Jim Moore *1941: ''

'' as Richard Amesworth *1941: '' A Shot in the Dark'' as Peter Kennedy *1941: ''

'' as Dave Warren *1941: '' International Squadron'' as Lt. Rog Wilkins *1941: '' Sailors on Leave'' as Chuck Stephens *1942: '' The Bugle Sounds'' as Joe 'Joey' Hanson *1942: ''

'' as Jeff Willis *1942: ''

'' as Ken Burke *1942: '' Apache Trail'' as Tom Folliard *1942: '' Northwest Rangers'' as James Kevin Gardiner *1942: ''

'' as Jeff Willis *1943: ''

'' as Alvin F. Peterson *1943: ''

'' as Rufus Cleveland *1943: ''

'' as Michael Banyan *1947: '' The Fabulous Dorseys'' as Bob Burton *1947: '' Dishonored Lady'' as Jack Garet *1948: '' The Inside Story'' as Waldo 'Bill' Williams *1948: '' Mystery in Mexico'' as Steve Hastings *1949: '' State Department: File 649'' as Ken Seely *1949: ''

'' as Police Lt. Harry Grant *1949: '' Pinky'' as Dr. Thomas Adams *1950: '' Mother Didn't Tell Me'' as Dr. William Wright *1950: '' I'll Get By'' as William Spencer *1951: ''

'' as Rev. William Asbury Thompson *1951: '' The House on Telegraph Hill'' as Major Marc Bennett *1951: ''

'' as Jim Scott *1951: '' Elopement'' as Matt Reagan *1953: '' Down Among the Sheltering Palms'' as Capt. W.W. 'Bill' Willoby *1953: ''

'' as Lucilius *1953: ''

'' (TV Series) as Jim *1953: '' Inferno'' as Joseph Duncan *1953–1954: ''

Ford Television Theatre ''General Motors Theatre'' (also known as ''CBC Theatre, Encounter, Ford Television Theatre,'' and ''General Motors Presents'') was a Canadian television anthology drama series of television plays, which ran on CBC Television under various titl ...

'' (TV Series) as Nels Wolcott / Bart Sayer *1954: ''

'' as Dr. Richard Stanton *1954: '' Schlitz Playhouse of Stars'' (TV Series) as Jack Fuller *1954: '' General Electric Theater'' (TV Series) as Charlie *1954: ''

'' as Peter Duncan *1954: ''

'' (TV Series) as Host *1954: '' The White Orchid'' as Robert Burton *1954–1958: '' Climax!'' (TV Series) as Himself - Host *1955: ''

Fireside Theatre ''Fireside Theatre'' (also known as ''Jane Wyman Presents'') is an American anthology drama series that ran on NBC from 1949 to 1958, and was the first successful filmed series on American television. Productions were low-budget and often base ...

'' (TV Series) as Sam Weston *1955: ''

'' (TV Series) as Edward Mansell *1955: '' Science Fiction Theatre'' (TV Series) as Maj. Fred Gunderman *1958: ''

'' (TV Series) as Ben Gammon *1958: '' Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse'' (TV Series) as David Pierce *1959–1960: '' Men Into Space'' (TV Series) as Col. Edward McCauley *1961: '' Death Valley Days'' (TV Series) as Nathaniel Norgate *1962: ''

'' as Bob Gage *1963: ''

The Dick Powell Theatre ''The Dick Powell Show'' is an American television anthology series that ran on NBC from September 26, 1961, until September 17, 1963, primarily sponsored by the Reynolds Metals Company. Overview The series was an anthology of various drama ...

'' (TV Series) as Frank Jeffers *1966: '' Run for Your Life'' (TV Series) as David Phillips *1967: ''

'' as Michael Moynihan *1968: '' Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows'' as Mr. Clancy (uncredited) *1971: '' Medical Center'' (TV Series) as Willoughby *1971: '' Marcus Welby, M.D.'' (TV Series) as Jack Crowley (final appearance)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Lundigan, William 1914 births 1975 deaths Nottingham High School (Syracuse, New York) alumni American male television actors American male film actors Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City Male actors from Los Angeles County, California Male actors from Syracuse, New York United States Marines California Republicans 20th-century American male actors New Right (United States) United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II