Leif Erickson (born William Wycliffe Anderson; October 27, 1911 – January 29, 1986) was an American stage, film, and television actor.

Early life

Erickson was born in

Alameda, California Alameda ( ; ; Spanish for " tree-lined path") is a city in Alameda County, California, located in the East Bay region of the Bay Area. The city is primarily located on Alameda Island, but also spans Bay Farm Island and Coast Guard Island, as we ...

, near San Francisco. He worked as a soloist in a band as vocalist and trombone player, performed in Max Reinhardt's productions, and then gained a small amount of stage experience in a comedy

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic compositio ...

act. Initially billed by

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

as Glenn Erickson, he began his screen career as a leading man in Westerns.

Military service

Erickson enlisted in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

during World War II. Rising to the rank of

Chief Petty Officer A chief petty officer (CPO) is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards. Canada "Chief petty officer" refers to two ranks in the Royal Canadian Navy. A chief petty officer 2nd class (CPO2) (''premier maître de deux ...

in the Naval Aviation Photographic Unit, he served as a military photographer, shooting film in combat zones, and as an instructor. He was shot down twice in the

Pacific The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest of Earth's five oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, and is bounded by the continen ...

, and received two

Purple Heart The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed while serving, on or after 5 April 1917, with the U.S. military. With its forerunner, the Badge of Military Merit, ...

s. Erickson was in the unit that filmed and photographed the

Japanese surrender The surrender of the Empire of Japan in World War II was announced by Emperor Hirohito on 15 August and formally signed on 2 September 1945, bringing the war's hostilities to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy ( ...

aboard the in

Tokyo Bay is a bay located in the southern Kantō region of Japan, and spans the coasts of Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, and Chiba Prefecture. Tokyo Bay is connected to the Pacific Ocean by the Uraga Channel. The Tokyo Bay region is both the most populous ...

on September 2, 1945. Over four years service, he shot more than of film for the Navy.

Acting career

Leif Erickson Yaphet Kotto The High Chaparral 1968

Erickson's first films were two 1933 band films with Betty Grable before starting a string of

Buster Crabbe Clarence Linden Crabbe II (; February 7, 1908 – April 23, 1983), known professionally as Buster Crabbe, was an American two-time Olympic swimmer and film and television actor. He won the 1932 Olympic gold medal for 400-meter freestyle swimmi ...

Western films based on

Zane Grey Pearl Zane Grey (January 31, 1872 – October 23, 1939) was an American author and dentist. He is known for his popular adventure novels and stories associated with the Western genre in literature and the arts; he idealized the American fronti ...

novels. He went on to appear in films such as '' The Snake Pit'','' Sorry, Wrong Number'', '' Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd'', '' Invaders from Mars'', '' On the Waterfront'', ''

A Gathering of Eagles ''A Gathering of Eagles'' is a 1963 SuperScope Eastmancolor film about the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War and the pressures of command. The plot is patterned after the World War II film ''Twelve O'Clock High'', which producer-screenwriter S ...

'', '' Roustabout'', '' The Carpetbaggers'', and ''

Mirage A mirage is a naturally-occurring optical phenomenon in which light rays bend via refraction to produce a displaced image of distant objects or the sky. The word comes to English via the French ''(se) mirer'', from the Latin ''mirari'', meani ...

''. One of his more notable roles was as

Deborah Kerr Deborah Jane Trimmer CBE (30 September 192116 October 2007), known professionally as Deborah Kerr (), was a British actress. She was nominated six times for the Academy Award for Best Actress. During her international film career, Kerr won a ...

's macho husband in the stage and film versions of '' Tea and Sympathy''. He appeared with

Greta Garbo Greta Garbo (born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson; 18 September 1905 – 15 April 1990) was a Swedish-American actress. Regarded as one of the greatest screen actresses, she was known for her melancholic, somber persona, her film portrayals of tragic c ...

, as her brother, in '' Conquest'' (1937). He played the role of Pete, the vindictive boat engineer, in the 1951

remake A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the sa ...

of the famed musical ''

Show Boat ''Show Boat'' is a musical theatre, musical with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Edna Ferber's best-selling 1926 Show Boat (novel), novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the pe ...

''. His final appearance in a feature film was in '' Twilight's Last Gleaming'' (1977). Leif Erickson Linda Cristal High Chaparral 1970

Erickson appeared frequently on television; he was cast as Dr. Hillyer in "Consider Her Ways" (1964) and as Paul White in "The Monkey's Paw—A Retelling" (1965) on CBS's ''

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was rena ...

''. He is probably best known, however, for '' The High Chaparral'', which aired on NBC from 1967 until 1971. He portrayed a rancher, Big John Cannon, determined to establish a cattle empire in the Arizona Territory while keeping peace with the Apache. Erickson guest-starred in several television series, including '' Rawhide'', ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 13, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running western, the second-longest-running western series on ...

'' (two episodes, 1961–1965), as Aaron Burr in ''

Daniel Boone Daniel Boone (September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer and frontiersman whose exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. He became famous for his exploration and settlement of Kentucky, which was then beyond the w ...

'' (two episodes, 1964–1970) ''

Gunsmoke ''Gunsmoke'' is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central chara ...

'', '' Marcus Welby, M.D.'', ''

Medical Center Medical center or medical centre may refer to: Medical care * A collection of medical services on the same site, such as the services of a general practitioner, pharmacist, pathology, radiology, dentist etc. * Clinic * Hospital * Academic medic ...

'', '' Longstreet'', ''

Cannon A cannon is a large-caliber gun classified as a type of artillery, which usually launches a projectile using explosive chemical propellant. Gunpowder ("black powder") was the primary propellant before the invention of smokeless powder duri ...

'', ''

The Rifleman ''The Rifleman'' is an American Western television program starring Chuck Connors as rancher Lucas McCain and Johnny Crawford as his son Mark McCain. It was set in the 1880s in the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. The show ...

'', ''

The Rockford Files ''The Rockford Files'' is an American detective drama television series starring James Garner that aired on the NBC network from September 13, 1974 to January 10, 1980, and remains in syndication. Garner portrays Los Angeles private investigat ...

'', ''

The Rookies ''The Rookies'' is an American police procedural series that aired on ABC from 1972 until 1976. It follows the exploits of three rookie police officers working in an unidentified city for the fictitious Southern California Police Department (SC ...

'', '' Night Gallery'', and the 1977 series ''

Hunter Hunting is the human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, or killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to harvest food (i.e. meat) and useful animal products (fur/ hide, bone/tusks, horn/antler, et ...

''. His final role was in an episode of ''

Fantasy Island ''Fantasy Island'' is an American fantasy drama television series created by Gene Levitt. It aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984. The series starred Ricardo Montalbán as the mysterious Mr. Roarke and Hervé Villechaize as his assistant, Tattoo ...

'' in 1984.

Personal life

Erickson was married to actress Frances Farmer from 1936 until 1942. The same day that his divorce from Farmer was finalized, on June 12, 1942, he married actress

Margaret Hayes Margaret Hayes (born Florette Regina Ottenheimer; December 5, 1913 – January 26, 1977) was an American film, stage, and television actress. Early years Hayes was born in Baltimore, Maryland (some sources say Pottsville, Pennsylvania) into a ...

; the marriage lasted only a month. He married Ann Diamond in 1945. The couple had two children: William Leif Erickson, who died in a car accident, and Susan Irene Erickson.

Death

Erickson died of cancer in

Pensacola, Florida Pensacola () is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, and the county seat and only incorporated city of Escambia County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 54,312. Pensacola is the principa ...

, on January 29, 1986, aged 74.

Selected filmography

* ''The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi'' (1933) as Band Singer with Ted Fio Rito * '' Wanderer of the Wasteland'' (1935) as Lawrence * ''

Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a state in the Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. Nevada is the 7th-most extensive, ...

'' (1935) as Bill Ide * '' Drift Fence'' (1936) as Curley Prentiss * '' Desert Gold'' (1936) as Glenn Kasedon * '' Girl of the Ozarks'' (1936) as Tom Bolton * '' College Holiday'' (1936) as Dick Winters * '' Waikiki Wedding'' (1937) as Dr. Victor Quimby * '' Conquest'' (1937) as Paul Lachinski * '' Thrill of a Lifetime'' (1937) as Howard 'Howdy' Nelson * '' The Big Broadcast of 1938'' (1938) as Bob Hayes * '' Ride a Crooked Mile'' (1938) as Johnny Simpkins * '' ...One Third of a Nation...'' (1939) as Peter Cortlant * '' Nothing but the Truth'' (1941) as Tommy Van Dusen * '' The Blonde from Singapore'' (1941) as Terry Prescott * ''

H. M. Pulham, Esq. ''H. M. Pulham, Esq.'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by King Vidor and starring Hedy Lamarr, Robert Young, and Ruth Hussey. Based on the novel ''H. M. Pulham, Esq.'' by John P. Marquand, the film is about a middle-aged businessman who h ...

'' (1941) as Rodney 'Bo-Jo' Brown * '' The Fleet's In'' (1942) as Jake * '' Are Husbands Necessary?'' (1942) as Bill Stone * '' Eagle Squadron'' (1942) as Johnny M. Coe * '' Pardon My Sarong'' (1942) as Whaba * '' Night Monster'' (1942) as Laurie * ''

Arabian Nights ''One Thousand and One Nights'' ( ar, أَلْفُ لَيْلَةٍ وَلَيْلَةٌ, italic=yes, ) is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. It is often known in English as the ''Arabian ...

'' (1942) as Kamar * ''Blonde Savage'' (1947) as Steve Blake * '' The Gangster'' (1947) as Beaumont * '' Sorry, Wrong Number'' (1948) as Fred Lord * ''

The Gay Intruders ''The Gay Intruders'' is a 1948 American comedy film directed by Ray McCarey and released by 20th Century Fox. Plot John and Maria are successful onstage but have marriage problems offstage. Their talent manager convinces them to consult marri ...

'' (1948) as Dr. Harold Matson * '' The Snake Pit'' (1948) as Gordon * ''

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc (french: link=yes, Jeanne d'Arc, translit= �an daʁk} ; 1412 – 30 May 1431) is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the corona ...

'' (1948) as Dunois, Bastard of Orleans * '' Miss Tatlock's Millions'' (1948) as Dr. Mason * ''

The Lady Gambles ''The Lady Gambles'' is a 1949 American film noir drama film directed by Michael Gordon and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Preston and Stephen McNally. Plot When his estranged wife Joan is found badly beaten after using loaded dice in a ba ...

'' (1949) as Tony * ''

Johnny Stool Pigeon ''Johnny Stool Pigeon'' is a 1949 American film noir crime film directed by William Castle and starring Howard Duff, Shelley Winters and Dan Duryea. Plot A narcotics agent convinces a convict he helped send to Alcatraz go undercover with him ...

'' (1949) as Pringle * '' Mother Didn't Tell Me'' (1950) as Dr. Bruce Gordon * '' Love That Brute'' (1950) as Elmdale Military Academy Captain (uncredited) * ''

Stella Stella or STELLA may refer to: Art, entertainment, and media Comedy *Stella (comedy group), a comedy troupe consisting of Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black and David Wain Characters *Stella (given name), including a list of characters with th ...

'' (1950) as Fred Anderson Jr. * '' The Showdown'' (1950) as Big Mart * '' Three Secrets'' (1950) as Bill Chase * ''

Dallas Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...

'' (1950) as U.S. Marshal Martin Weatherby * '' Fourteen Hours'' (1951) as Bit Part (uncredited) * ''

'' (1951) as Pete * '' The Tall Target'' (1951) as Stranger * ''

Reunion in Reno ''Reunion in Reno'' is a 1951 American comedy film directed by Kurt Neumann and starring Mark Stevens, Peggy Dow and Gigi Perreau.Quinlan p.143 The screenplay concerns a girl who hires an attorney to get her a divorce from her parents. The film ...

'' (1951) as B. Frederick Linaker * ''

The Cimarron Kid ''The Cimarron Kid'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Audie Murphy and Beverly Tyler. Plot Bill Doolin (Audie Murphy) is released from jail and is going home on the train when it is held up by his boy ...

'' (1952) as Marshal John Sutton * '' Sailor Beware'' (1952) as Cmdr. Lane * '' With a Song in My Heart'' (1952) as General (uncredited) * '' Carbine Williams'' (1952) as Feder * '' My Wife's Best Friend'' (1952) as Nicholas Reed * '' Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd'' (1952) as Morgan * ''

Never Wave at a WAC ''Never Wave at a WAC'' is a 1953 American comedy film directed by Norman Z. McLeod, and starring Rosalind Russell, Paul Douglas and Marie Wilson. Plot Divorced socialite Jo McBain, daughter of United States Senator Reynolds, would like to join ...

'' (1953) as Sgt. Norbert 'Noisy' Jackson * ''

Born to the Saddle ''Born to the Saddle'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by William Beaudine. Plot Bent on revenge for the death of his father and the theft of their ranch, young Bill Walton rides into town seeking the aid of his uncle. As he rides in ...

'' (1953) as Bob Marshall * '' Trouble Along the Way'' (1953) as Father Provincial aka Ed * '' Trial At Tara'' (1953) as King Laera * '' A Perilous Journey'' (1953) as Richards * '' Invaders from Mars'' (1953) as Mr. George MacLean * '' Fort Algiers'' (1953) as Kalmani * '' Captain Scarface'' (1953) as Sam * '' Paris Model'' (1953) as Edgar Blevins * '' On the Waterfront'' (1954) as Glover, Lead Investigator for Crime Commission * '' Star in the Dust'' (1956) as George Ballard * '' The Fastest Gun Alive'' (1956) as Lou Glover * '' Tea and Sympathy'' (1956) as Bill Reynolds * ''

Istanbul Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...

'' (1957) as Charlie Boyle * '' The Vintage'' (1957) as Louis Morel * '' Kiss Them for Me'' (1957) as Eddie Turnbill * '' Twilight for the Gods'' (1958) as Harry Hutton * '' Once Upon a Horse...'' (1958) as Granville 'Granny' Dix * ''Shoot Out at Big Sag'' (1962) as Sam Barbee * ''

'' (1963) as Gen. Hewitt * '' Strait-Jacket'' (1964) as Bill Cutler * '' The Carpetbaggers'' (1964) as Jonas Cord Sr. * '' Roustabout'' (1964) as Joe Lean * ''

'' (1965) as Major Crawford Gilcuddy * '' I Saw What You Did'' (1965) as Dave Mannering * '' Man and Boy'' (1971) as Mossman * '' Terror in the Sky'' (1971) as Marty Treleavan * '' The Mod Squad'' (1972) as Lt. Jerry Price * '' Night Gallery'' (1973) as Charlie Wheatland * ''

Abduction Abduction may refer to: Media Film and television * "Abduction" (''The Outer Limits''), a 2001 television episode * " Abduction" (''Death Note'') a Japanese animation television series * " Abductions" (''Totally Spies!''), a 2002 episode of an ...

'' (1975) as Prescott * ''

Winterhawk ''Winterhawk'' is a 1975 American Western film co-written, produced and directed by Charles B. Pierce. Starring Leif Erickson, Woody Strode, Denver Pyle, L.Q. Jones, Michael Dante and Elisha Cook Jr., the story concerns an Indian chief from th ...

'' (1975) as Guthrie * '' Twilight's Last Gleaming'' (1977) as Ralph Whittaker - CIA Director

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Erickson, Leif 1911 births 1986 deaths 20th-century American male actors 20th-century American singers 20th-century trombonists American male film actors American male television actors United States Navy personnel of World War II American trombonists Male trombonists Deaths from cancer in Florida Male actors from San Francisco Musicians from San Francisco People from Alameda, California People from Pensacola, Florida United States Navy sailors Western (genre) television actors 20th-century American male singers Male Western (genre) film actors

Early life

Military service

Acting career

Personal life

Death

Selected filmography

See also

References

External links