Chris Drake (born James Christian Droste, December 11, 1923 – July 9, 2006) was an American actor best known for his co-star role of the 1950s

television series A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming plat ...

'' Sheena, Queen of the Jungle'', in which he co-starred with

Irish McCalla Nellie Elizabeth "Irish" McCalla (December 25, 1928 – February 1, 2002) was an American film and television actress and artist best known as the title star of the 1950s television series '' Sheena, Queen of the Jungle''. She co-starred with ac ...

Early life

Drake was born near

Richmond, Virginia Richmond ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. Incorporated in 1742, Richmond has been an independent city (United States), independent city since 1871. ...

. He traced his family's roots in Virginia back to 1638. When he was 10 years old, he moved with his family to

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

, after his father had developed an incurable skin condition. They settled in Manhattan Beach. Drake graduated from El Segundo High School. He joined and served in the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines or simply the Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for conducting expeditionar ...

from 1942–1944 during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

and fought, as a member of Carlson's Raiders, at

Guadalcanal Guadalcanal (; indigenous name: ''Isatabu'') is the principal island in Guadalcanal Province of Solomon Islands, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia. It is the largest island in the Solomons by area and the second- ...

, where he suffered multiple wounds, after which he spent over 11 months in eight Naval Hospitals and was awarded the Purple Heart. Additionally, he also received two presidential unit citations for gallantry.

Career

After he played a bit part in an RKO film, the studio signed Drake to a long-term contract. He had the leading role in the film ''Forever My Love''. He also co-starred in the 1954 Sci-Fi film '' Them!'' and appeared on such television series as '' Lassie'', '' Stories of the Century'' (as Burt Alvord), Tales of Wells Fargo (as Charlie Ford), '' Dragnet'', and '' The Lone Ranger''. Following his acting career, he sold real estate in California, owning wholly or a portion of 11 real estate offices in and around Palos Verdes, until 1990. He retired two years later to his native

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States between the East Coast of the United States ...

, where he died in 2006, aged 82.

References

* ''Ultra Filmfax'' April 1988, Iss.66, pg. 79–82, by Charles P. Mitchell, "Christian Drake, Sheena Days with White Hunter Bob"

External links

* 1923 births 2006 deaths American male film actors American male television actors United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II United States Marines Male actors from Richmond, Virginia Military personnel from Richmond, Virginia RKO Pictures contract players 20th-century American male actors El Segundo High School alumni {{US-tv-actor-1920s-stub