actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

musicals Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movement ...

Flemington, New Jersey Flemington is a Borough (New Jersey), borough in and the county seat of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Hunterdon County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.Arthur F. Foran and Elizabeth Foran. His father was a Republican member of the

New Jersey Senate The New Jersey Senate is the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. There are 40 legislative districts, representing districts with an average population of 232,225 (2020 figure ...

, as was Dick Foran's younger brother, Walter E. Foran. He attended

Mercersburg Academy Mercersburg Academy (formerly Marshall College and Mercersburg College) is an independent college-preparatory boarding and day high school in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Founded in 1893, the school enrolls approximately 4 ...

, where he competed on the track team under Scots-American athletics coach

Jimmy Curran James Michael Curran (January 7, 1880 – February 7, 1963) was an athletics coach who trained and coached five Olympics, Olympic gold medalists. From 1900-1902, he fought with the Highland Light Infantry in the Second Boer War, serving much of t ...

. After graduation he attended the Hun School, a college preparatory school in nearby

Princeton Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the Unit ...

, and then enrolled at

Princeton University Princeton University is a private university, private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial ...

, pursuing a degree in geology. He played on the

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

team while taking courses in the arts, where he developed an interest in the theater. Foran studied music at the Leibling Studio in New York before singing on radio. As Nick Foran, he went on to become a lead singer with a band and later formed his own orchestra.

Film

Foran was still billed as Nick Foran when he signed a contract with Fox in 1934. In 1935, Foran, who stood 6-foot-2 and had red hair, could also sing when called upon in films such as '' Change of Heart'' (1934) with

Janet Gaynor Janet Gaynor (born Laura Augusta Gainor; October 6, 1906 – September 14, 1984) was an American actress. She began her career as an extra in shorts and silent films. After signing with Fox Film Corporation (later 20th Century-Fox) in 1926, she ...

. His handsome appearance and good-natured personality made him a natural choice for the supporting cast. Fox didn't pick up Foran's contract option, and he was released after one year. He was soon signed by

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI), commonly known as Warner Bros. (WB), is an American filmed entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California and the main namesake subsidiary of Warner Bro ...

, which changed his name to Dick Foran and cast him as a

singing cowboy A singing cowboy was a subtype of the archetypal cowboy hero of early Western (genre), Western films. It references real-world campfire side ballads in the American frontier. The original cowboys sang of life on the trail with all the challenges, ...

, to compete with the successful

Gene Autry Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed the Singing Cowboy, was an American actor, musician, singer, composer, rodeo performer, and baseball team owner, who largely gained fame by singing in a Crooner ...

musical westerns. His first starring role was in ''

Moonlight on the Prairie ''Moonlight on the Prairie'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by D. Ross Lederman. It was the first of a Warner Bros. singing cowboy film series with Dick Foran and his Palomino Smoke. A print is preserved in the Library of Congress co ...

'' (1935). His other singing-cowboy features included ''

Song of the Saddle '' Song of the Saddle '' is a 1936 American Western film starring Dick Foran, Alma Lloyd, Charles Middleton, and featuring an uncredited Sons of the Pioneers with Roy Rogers. Plot In 1850, a land rush is on as the U.S. government has opened l ...

'' (1936), ''

Guns of the Pecos A gun is a device that propels a projectile using pressure or explosive force. The projectiles are typically solid, but can also be pressurized liquid (e.g. in water guns or cannons), or gas (e.g. light-gas gun). Solid projectiles may be fr ...

'' (1937), and ''

Empty Holsters ''Empty Holsters'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by B. Reeves Eason and written by John T. Neville. The film stars Dick Foran, Patricia Walthall, Emmett Vogan, Glenn Strange, Anderson Lawler and Wilfred Lucas. The film was release ...

'' (1937);Phillips, Robert W. ''Singing Cowboy Stars''. Salt Lake City: Gibbs-Smith, 1994. pp. 26–27. some of these were remakes of earlier Warner westerns starring

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...

. Foran also appeared as a character actor in Warners' important films, like ''

The Petrified Forest ''The Petrified Forest'' is a 1936 American crime drama film directed by Archie Mayo and based on Robert E. Sherwood's 1934 drama of the same name. The motion picture stars Leslie Howard, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart. The screenplay was ...

'' (1936) with

Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television, and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympatheti ...

and

Humphrey Bogart Humphrey DeForest Bogart ( ; December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957), nicknamed Bogie, was an American actor. His performances in classic Hollywood cinema made him an American cultural icon. In 1999, the American Film Institute selected Bogart ...

, '' The Sisters'' (1938) with

Errol Flynn Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959) was an Australian and American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, frequent partnerships with Oliv ...

and

Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television, and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympatheti ...

, and '' Boy Meets Girl'' (1938) and ''

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 nick ...

'' (1940), both with

James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor and dancer. On stage and in film, he was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He won acclaim and maj ...

and Pat O'Brien. In 1940, Foran moved to

Universal Studios Universal Studios may refer to: * Universal Studios, Inc., an American media and entertainment conglomerate ** Universal Pictures, an American film studio ** Universal Studios Lot, a film and television studio complex * Various theme parks operat ...

, where he acted in many different genres of film from

horror Horror may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres *Horror fiction, a genre of fiction **Psychological horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Christmas horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Analog horror, a subgenre of horror fiction * ...

to

comedy Comedy is a genre of dramatic works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. Origins Comedy originated in ancient Greec ...

, such as ''

My Little Chickadee ''My Little Chickadee'' is a 1940 American comedy-western film starring Mae West and W. C. Fields, featuring Joseph Calleia, Ruth Donnelly, Margaret Hamilton, Donald Meek, Willard Robertson, Dick Foran, William B. Davidson, and Addison ...

'' (1940) with

Mae West Mary Jane "Mae" West (August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, and playwright whose career spanned more than seven decades. Recognized as a prominent sex symbol of her time, she was known ...

and W.C. Fields; ''

Keep 'Em Flying ''Keep 'Em Flying'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin starring the team of Abbott and Costello alongside Martha Raye and Carol Bruce. The film was their third service comedy based on the peacetime draft of 1940. The come ...

'' (1941) and ''

Ride 'Em Cowboy Ride 'Em Cowboy may refer to: * ''Ride 'Em Cowboy'' (1936 film), a 1936 Western film starring Buck Jones * ''Ride 'Em Cowboy'' (1942 film), a 1942 Abbott and Costello film * ''Ride 'Em Cowboy'' (song), a 1974 song written and recorded by Paul Da ...

'' (1942), both with

Abbott and Costello Abbott and Costello were an American comedy duo composed of comedians Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, whose work in radio, film, and television made them the most popular comedy team of the 1940s and 1950s, and the highest-paid entertainers in t ...

; ''

Private Buckaroo ''Private Buckaroo'' is a 1942 American comedy-musical film directed by Edward F. Cline starring The Andrews Sisters, Dick Foran, Harry James, Shemp Howard, Joe E. Lewis, and Jennifer Holt. The film tells the story of army recruits following ...

'' with

Harry James Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band to great commercial success from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947, but ...

, the

Andrews Sisters The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews (1911–1967), soprano Maxene Anglyn Andrews (1916–1995), and mezz ...

, and

Shemp Howard Shemp Howard (born Samuel Horwitz; March 11, 1895 – November 22, 1955) was an American comedian and actor. He is best known as the third Stooge in The Three Stooges, a role he played when the act began in the early 1920s (1923–1932), while i ...

; and ''

The Mummy's Hand ''The Mummy's Hand'' is a 1940 American horror film directed by Christy Cabanne and produced by Ben Pivar for Universal Studios. Shot in black-and-white, the film is about the ancient Egyptian mummy of Kharis ( Tom Tyler), who is kept alive wit ...

'' (1940) with

Tom Tyler Tom Tyler (August 9, 1903 – May 1, 1954) was an American actor known for his leading roles in low-budget Western films, and for his portrayal of superheroes in movie serials ''The Adventures of Captain Marvel'' and ''The Phantom''. Tyler als ...

as

the Mummy A mummy is an unusually well preserved corpse. Mummy or The Mummy may also refer to: Places * Mummy Range, a mountain range in the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado in the United States * Mummy Cave, a rock shelter and archeological site in P ...

. Foran reprised the same role in the sequel ''

The Mummy's Tomb ''The Mummy's Tomb'' is a 1942 American horror film directed by Harold Young and starring Lon Chaney Jr. as Kharis the mummy. Taking place 30 years after the events of '' The Mummy's Hand'', where Andoheb ( George Zucco) has survived and plans ...

'' (1942), this time with

Lon Chaney Jr. Creighton Tull Chaney (February10, 1906 – July12, 1973), known by his stage name Lon Chaney Jr., was an American actor known for playing Larry Talbot in the film '' The Wolf Man'' (1941) and its various crossovers, Count Alucard (Dracula ...

as the Mummy. He also starred in the studio's western serials

Winners of the West Winners of the West can refer to two separate Universal film serials: * ''Winners of the West'' (1921 serial), early silent serial * ''Winners of the West'' (1940 serial), sound serial See also *'' Winning of the West'', 1953 film starring Gen ...

(1940) and

Riders of Death Valley ''Riders of Death Valley'' is a 1941 American Western film serial from Universal Pictures. It was a high budget serial with an all-star cast led by Dick Foran and Buck Jones. Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor directed. It also features Lon Chaney Jr ...

(1941). One of his last film roles was a small one in ''

Donovan's Reef ''Donovan's Reef'' is a 1963 American adventure comedy film starring John Wayne and Lee Marvin. It was directed by John Ford and filmed in Kauai, Hawaii, but is set in French Polynesia. The supporting cast features Elizabeth Allen, Jack Warden ...

'' (1963), starring his longtime friend

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...

and

Lee Marvin Lee Marvin (February 19, 1924August 29, 1987) was an American film and television actor. Known for his bass voice and prematurely white hair, he is best remembered for playing hardboiled "tough guy" characters. Although initially typecast as th ...

. His final film appearance was as the

prospector Prospector may refer to: Space exploration * Prospector (spacecraft), a planned lunar probe, canceled in 1962 * ''Lunar Prospector'', a NASA spacecraft Trains * Prospector (train), a passenger train operated by the Denver & Rio Grande Western ra ...

"Old Timer" in the sentimental film ''

Brighty of the Grand Canyon ''Brighty of the Grand Canyon'' is a 1953 children's novel by Marguerite Henry and a 1967 film of the same name based on the novel. They present a fictionalized account of a real-life burro named "Brighty", who lived in the Grand Canyon of t ...

'' (1967) with

Joseph Cotten Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr. (May 15, 1905 – February 6, 1994) was an American film, stage, radio and television actor. Cotten achieved prominence on Broadway, starring in the original stage productions of '' The Philadelphia Story'' (1939) an ...

,

Pat Conway Patrick Douglas Conway (January 9, 1931 – April 24, 1981) was an American actor best known for starring as Sheriff Clay Hollister on the Western television series ''Tombstone Territory'' (1957–1960). Early years Conway was the son of M ...

, and

Karl Swenson Karl Swenson (July 23, 1908 – October 8, 1978) was an American theatre, radio, film, and television actor. Early in his career, he was credited as Peter Wayne.

.

Stage

Foran left Universal in 1943 to star on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

in the

Rodgers and Hart Rodgers and Hart were an American songwriting partnership between composer Richard Rodgers (1902–1979) and the lyricist Lorenz Hart (1895–1943). They worked together on 28 stage musicals and more than 500 songs from 1919 until Hart's ...

musical comedy '' A Connecticut Yankee'', based on Mark Twain's ''

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court ''A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'' is an 1889 historical novel by American humorist and writer Mark Twain. The book was originally titled ''A Yankee in King Arthur's Court''. Some early editions are titled ''A Yankee at the Court ...

''.

Television

In 1954, Foran guest-starred on

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...

's ''

Justice In its broadest sense, justice is the idea that individuals should be treated fairly. According to the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', the most plausible candidate for a core definition comes from the ''Institutes (Justinian), Inst ...

'', a

legal drama Legal drama, also called courtroom drama, is a genre of film and television that generally focuses on narratives regarding legal practice and the justice system. The American Film Institute (AFI) defines "courtroom drama" as a genre of film in wh ...

starring

Dane Clark Dane Clark (born Bernhardt Zanvilevitz; February 26, 1912September 11, 1998) was an American character actor who was known for playing, as he labeled himself, "Joe Average." Early life Clark was born Bernhardt Zanvilevitz (later Bernard Zanvill ...

and

Gary Merrill Gary Fred Merrill (August 2, 1915 – March 5, 1990) was an American film and television actor whose credits included more than 50 feature films, a half-dozen mostly short-lived TV series, and dozens of television guest appearances. He starr ...

, on CBS's '' The Public Defender'' starring

Reed Hadley Reed Hadley (born Reed Herring, June 25, 1911 – December 11, 1974) was an American film, television and radio actor. Early life Hadley was born in Petrolia, Texas. Career Before moving to Hollywood, he acted in ''Hamlet'' on stage in N ...

and

Hugh Beaumont Eugene Hugh Beaumont (February 16, 1910 – May 14, 1982) was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of Ward Cleaver on the television series ''Leave It to Beaver'', originally broadcast from 1957 to 1963, and as private detec ...

, and on NBC's ''The Martha Raye Show'', a

comedy Comedy is a genre of dramatic works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. Origins Comedy originated in ancient Greec ...

/

variety show Variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts including musical performances, sketch comedy, magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is normally introduced by a comp� ...

. Foran appeared in at least four episodes of ''

Science Fiction Theatre ''Science Fiction Theatre'' is an American science fiction anthology television series that was produced by Ivan Tors and Maurice Ziv and originally aired in syndication. It premiered on April 9, 1955, and ended on February 9, 1957, with a to ...

'' (1955). One of these, "The Miracle Hour", aired December 22, 1956. Foran appeared three times (1955–1956) as Father Brophy on the

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

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

''

Crossroads Crossroads is a junction where four roads meet. Crossroads, crossroad, cross road(s) or similar may also refer to: Film and television Films * ''Crossroads'' (1928 film), a 1928 Japanese film by Teinosuke Kinugasa * ''Cross Roads'' (film), a ...

''. He guest-starred in the syndicated

crime drama Crime film is a film belonging to the crime fiction genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and fiction. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combine with many other genres, such as Drama (film and television), dr ...

''

Sheriff of Cochise ''The Sheriff of Cochise'' is an American police crime drama television series of 79 black-and-white episodes broadcast from 1956 to 1958. The show has two seasons of 39 episodes, and there is an additional standalone episode. Each episode run ...

'' starring

John Bromfield John Bromfield (born Farron Bromfield; June 11, 1922 – September 19, 2005) was an American actor and commercial fisherman. Early years Farron Bromfield was born in South Bend, Indiana. He played football and was a boxing champion at Saint Mar ...

. He also appeared as Burt, a carnival hustler, in 1957 on NBC's ''

Father Knows Best ''Father Knows Best'' is an American sitcom starring Robert Young (actor), Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray (actor), Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. The series, which began on radio in 1949, aired as a television show for six ...

'' with Robert Young. Foran was prominently featured as a sheriff in the episode " The Third Rider" in the first season (1957) of the ABC/

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (WBEI), commonly known as Warner Bros. (WB), is an American filmed entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California and the main namesake subsidiary of Warner Bro ...

Western series ''

Maverick Maverick or Maveric may refer to: History * Maverick (animal), an unbranded range animal, derived from U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick Aviation * AEA Maverick, an Australian single-seat sportsplane design * General Aviation Design Bureau T-32 M ...

'' starring Jack Kelly as Bart Maverick, the brother of

James Garner James Scott Garner (né Bumgarner; April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014) was an American actor. He played leading roles in more than 50 theatrical films, which included ''The Great Escape (film), The Great Escape'' (1963) with Steve McQueen; Paddy Ch ...

's character Bret Maverick. He also portrayed Tuck Degan in the 1957 episode "Final Payment" of another ABC/WB Western series, '' Colt .45'' starring

Wayde Preston Wayde Preston (born William Erskine Strange; September 10, 1929 – February 6, 1992) was an American actor cast from 1957 to 1960 in the lead role in 67 episodes of the ABC/Warner Bros. Western television series, '' Colt .45''. Background P ...

. In the January 1959 episode "The Spurs", he portrayed Sheriff Wilkes on '' Wanted Dead or Alive'' starring

Steve McQueen Terrence Stephen McQueen (March 24, 1930November 7, 1980) was an American actor. His antihero persona, emphasized during the height of counterculture of the 1960s, 1960s counterculture, made him a top box office draw for his films of the late ...

. He made another guest appearance in the December 1960 episode: "The Choice", portraying aging bounty hunter Frank Koster. Also in 1959, Foran portrayed defendant Dr. David Craig on

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...

's ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and four short stories, all of which involve a ...

'' in the episode "The Case of the Bedeviled Doctor". Later that year, he played defendant Steve Benton in another ''Perry Mason'' episode, "The Case of the Garrulous Gambler". He was also featured as Perry Mason's client in the 1961 episode "The Case of the Renegade Refugee". In 1959, Foran was cast as David Steele in the episode "The Adjuster" of the NBC

crime drama Crime film is a film belonging to the crime fiction genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and fiction. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combine with many other genres, such as Drama (film and television), dr ...

series ''

Richard Diamond, Private Detective ''Richard Diamond, Private Detective'' is an American detective drama, created by Blake Edwards, which aired on radio from 1949 to 1953, and on television from 1957 to 1960. Radio Dick Powell starred in the ''Richard Diamond, Private Detective' ...

'', starring

David Janssen David Janssen (born David Harold Meyer; March 27, 1931 – February 13, 1980) was an American film and television actor who is best known for his starring role as Richard Kimble in the television series '' The Fugitive'' (1963–1967). Janssen a ...

.

Dabbs Greer Robert William "Dabbs" Greer (April 2, 1917 – April 28, 2007) was an American character actor in film and television for over 60 years. Greer appeared in nearly 100 film roles and in nearly 600 television episodes of various series. He pl ...

and

DeForest Kelley Jackson DeForest Kelley (January 20, 1920 – June 11, 1999) was an American actor, screenwriter, poet, and singer. He was known for his roles in film and television Western (genre), Westerns and achieved international fame as Dr. Leonard McCoy ...

also appeared in this episode. In 1962, Foran appeared with

Marie Windsor Marie Windsor (born Emily Marie Bertelsen; December 11, 1919 – December 10, 2000) was an American actress known for her femme fatale characters in the classic film noir features '' Force of Evil'', '' The Narrow Margin'' and '' The Killing''. ...

in the roles of Frank and Ann Jesse in the episode "The Wanted Man" of the ABC/WB Western series '' Lawman'', starring John Russell as Marshal Dan Troop. Foran later appeared as Gabriel Marion, brother of title character

Francis Marion Brigadier general (United States), Brigadier General Francis Marion ( 1732 – February 27, 1795), also known as the "Swamp Fox", was an American military officer, planter, and politician who served during the French and Indian War and t ...

(

Leslie Nielsen Leslie William Nielsen (February 11, 1926November 28, 2010) was a Canadian actor and comedian. With a career spanning 60 years, he appeared in more than 100 films and 150 television programs, portraying more than 220 characters. He made his a ...

), in the ''

Walt Disney Presents The Walt Disney Company has produced an anthology television series since 1954 under several titles and formats. The program's current title, ''The Wonderful World of Disney'', was used from 1969 to 1979 and again from 1991 onward. The program mo ...

''

miniseries In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...

'' The Swamp Fox''. In 1965–1966, he had his only regular role on a TV series playing "Slim" on '' O.K. Crackerby!''. In 1968, Foran was cast in the role of "Fred Haines" in season one, episode 13, of the NBC television series ''

Adam-12 ''Adam-12'' is an American police procedural crime drama television series created by Robert A. Cinader and Jack Webb and produced by Mark VII Limited and Universal Television. The series follows Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers Pe ...

''.

Death

On August 10, 1979, Foran died aged 69 of respiratory ailments and pneumonia in Burbank, California. He was buried in the

San Fernando Mission Cemetery The San Fernando Mission Cemetery, a significant part of the Mission Hills community in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, is steeped in history. It stands adjacent to the iconic San Fernando Mission, also known as Mission San Fernando Rey d ...

.

Recognition

Foran has a star on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a landmark which consists of 2,813 five-pointed terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in the Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood dist ...

for his contribution to television, at 1600 Vine Street. It was dedicated on February 8, 1960.

Selected filmography

* ''

Stand Up and Cheer! ''Stand Up and Cheer!'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code musical film directed by Hamilton MacFadden. The screenplay by Lew Brown and Ralph Spence was based upon a story idea by Will Rogers and Philip Klein. The film is about efforts undertaken ...

'' (1934) as Nick Foran * '' Change of Heart'' (1934) as Nick * '' Student Tour'' (1934) as Assistant Manager (uncredited) * '' Gentlemen Are Born'' (1934) as Smudge Casey * '' The Lottery Lover'' (1935) as Cadet * '' One More Spring'' (1935) as Park Policeman * ''It's a Small World'' (1935) as Cop * '' Farmer Takes a Wife'' (1935) as Walt Lansing (uncredited) * '' Accent of Youth'' (1935) as Butch * ''

Ladies Love Danger ''Ladies Love Danger'' is a 1935 American comedy mystery film. American Film Institute. Retrieved February 23, 2025. directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and written by Samson Raphaelson, Robert Ellis and Helen Logan. The film stars Mona Barrie, G ...

'' (1935) as Sergeant Bender * ''

Shipmates Forever ''Shipmates Forever'' is a 1935 American musical film directed by Frank Borzage and written by Delmer Daves. Set at the United States Naval Academy, the film stars Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler, Lewis Stone, Ross Alexander, John Arledge, Eddie Acuf ...

'' (1935) as Gifford * ''

Moonlight on the Prairie ''Moonlight on the Prairie'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by D. Ross Lederman. It was the first of a Warner Bros. singing cowboy film series with Dick Foran and his Palomino Smoke. A print is preserved in the Library of Congress co ...

'' (1935) as Ace Andrews * '' Dangerous'' (1935) as Teddy * ''

The Petrified Forest ''The Petrified Forest'' is a 1936 American crime drama film directed by Archie Mayo and based on Robert E. Sherwood's 1934 drama of the same name. The motion picture stars Leslie Howard, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart. The screenplay was ...

'' (1936) as Boze Hertzlinger * ''

Song of the Saddle '' Song of the Saddle '' is a 1936 American Western film starring Dick Foran, Alma Lloyd, Charles Middleton, and featuring an uncredited Sons of the Pioneers with Roy Rogers. Plot In 1850, a land rush is on as the U.S. government has opened l ...

'' (1936) as Frank Wilson Jr. aka The Singing Kid * '' Treachery Rides the Range'' (1936) as Captain Red Taylor * '' The Golden Arrow'' (1936) as Tommy Blake * '' The Big Noise'' (1936) as Don Andrews * ''

Public Enemy's Wife ''Public Enemy's Wife'' is a 1936 American crime film directed by Nick Grinde and written by Abem Finkel and Harold Buckley. The film stars Pat O'Brien, Margaret Lindsay, Robert Armstrong, Cesar Romero, Dick Foran and Joe King. The film was r ...

'' (1936) as Thomas Duncan McKay * ''

Earthworm Tractors ''Earthworm Tractors'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Ray Enright and starring Joe E. Brown, June Travis and Guy Kibbee. The film is also known as ''A Natural Born Salesman'' in the United Kingdom. The film is based on characters c ...

'' (1936) as Emmet McManus * ''

Trailin' West ''Trailin' West'' (UK title: ''On Secret Service'') is a 1936 American Western film directed by Noel M. Smith and written by Anthony Coldeway and starring Dick Foran, Paula Stone, and Wild Bill Elliott. Plot In 1864, President Abraham Lin ...

'' (1936) as Lieutenant Red Colton * '' California Mail'' (1936) as Bill Harkins * ''

Guns of the Pecos A gun is a device that propels a projectile using pressure or explosive force. The projectiles are typically solid, but can also be pressurized liquid (e.g. in water guns or cannons), or gas (e.g. light-gas gun). Solid projectiles may be fr ...

'' (1937) as Steve Ainslee * '' Black Legion'' (1937) as Ed Jackson * '' Land Beyond the Law'' (1937) as John 'Chip' Douglas Jr. * ''

The Cherokee Strip ''The Cherokee Strip'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Noel M. Smith and written by Luci Ward and Joseph K. Watson. The film stars Dick Foran, Jane Bryan, Robert Paige, Joan Valerie, Edmund Cobb and Joseph Crehan. The film was re ...

'' (1937) as Dick Hudson * '' Blazing Sixes'' (1937) as Red Barton * ''

Empty Holsters ''Empty Holsters'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by B. Reeves Eason and written by John T. Neville. The film stars Dick Foran, Patricia Walthall, Emmett Vogan, Glenn Strange, Anderson Lawler and Wilfred Lucas. The film was release ...

'' (1937) as Clay Brent * ''

The Devil's Saddle Legion ''The Devil's Saddle Legion'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Bobby Connolly and written by Ed Earl Repp. The film stars Dick Foran, Anne Nagel, Willard Parker, Gordon Hart, Ernie Stanton, Max Hoffman Jr. and Jeff York. The film was ...

'' (1937) as Tal Holladay * ''

Prairie Thunder ''Prairie Thunder'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by B. Reeves Eason and written by Ed Earl Repp. The film stars Dick Foran, Janet Shaw, Frank Orth, Wilfred Lucas, Albert J. Smith and Yakima Canutt. The film was released by Warn ...

'' (1937) as Rod Farrell * ''

The Perfect Specimen ''The Perfect Specimen'' is a 1937 American romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell. The picture is based on a novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams. It was Flynn's first comedy. Plot Gerald Wicks, the ...

'' (1937) as Jink Carter * '' She Loved a Fireman'' (1937) as James 'Red' Tyler * ''

Love, Honor and Behave ''Love, Honor and Behave'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Stanley Logan and starring Wayne Morris and Priscilla Lane. The supporting cast includes John Litel, Thomas Mitchell, Dick Foran and Dickie Moore. " Bei Mir Bist Du Scho ...

'' (1938) as Pete Martin * '' Over the Wall'' (1938) as Jerry Davis * ''

Cowboy from Brooklyn ''Cowboy from Brooklyn'' is a 1938 American Western musical romantic comedy film directed by Lloyd Bacon and written by Earl Baldwin. It stars Dick Powell, Pat O'Brien and Priscilla Lane. The film was based on the 1937 Broadway play ''Howd ...

'' (1938) as Sam Thorne * '' Four Daughters'' (1938) as Ernest * '' Boy Meets Girl'' (1938) as Larry Toms * '' The Sisters'' (1938) as Tom Knivel * '' Secrets of a Nurse'' (1938) as Lee Burke * ''

Heart of the North ''Heart of the North'' is a 1938 American adventure film directed by Lewis Seiler and written by Lee Katz and Vincent Sherman. The film stars Dick Foran, Gloria Dickson, Gale Page, Allen Jenkins, Patric Knowles, and Janet Chapman. The film was re ...

'' (1938) as Sergeant Alan Baker * ''

Inside Information Insider trading is the trading of a public company's stock or other securities (such as bonds or stock options) based on material, nonpublic information about the company. In various countries, some kinds of trading based on insider informatio ...

'' (1939) as Danny Blake * ''

Daughters Courageous ''Daughters Courageous'' is a 1939 American drama film starring John Garfield, Claude Rains, Jeffrey Lynn and featuring the Lane Sisters: Lola, Rosemary and Priscilla. Based on the play ''Fly Away Home'' by Dorothy Bennett and Irving White, the ...

'' (1939) as Eddie Moore * ''

I Stole a Million ''I Stole a Million'' is a 1939 film noir crime film starring George Raft as a cab driver turned small-time crook who makes a big score and lives to regret it. The supporting cast includes Claire Trevor, Dick Foran, and Victor Jory. The movie ...

'' (1939) as Paul Carver * '' Hero for a Day'' (1939) as Brainy Thornton * ''

Private Detective A private investigator (often abbreviated to PI; also known as a private detective, an inquiry agent or informally a private eye) is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private investigat ...

'' (1939) as Jim Rickey * ''

Four Wives ''Four Wives'' is a 1939 American drama film starring the Lane Sisters ( Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane) and Gale Page. The film was directed by Michael Curtiz and is based on the story "Sister Act" by Fannie Hurst. The supporting c ...

'' (1939) as Ernest Talbot * ''

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 nick ...

'' (1940) as Lt. 'Long John' Wynn * ''

My Little Chickadee ''My Little Chickadee'' is a 1940 American comedy-western film starring Mae West and W. C. Fields, featuring Joseph Calleia, Ruth Donnelly, Margaret Hamilton, Donald Meek, Willard Robertson, Dick Foran, William B. Davidson, and Addison ...

'' (1940) as Wayne Carter * ''

The House of Seven Gables ''The House of the Seven Gables: A Romance'' is a Gothic novel written beginning in mid-1850 by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne and published in April 1851 by Ticknor and Fields of Boston. The novel follows a New England family and their an ...

'' (1940) as Matthew Holgrave * ''

Winners of the West Winners of the West can refer to two separate Universal film serials: * ''Winners of the West'' (1921 serial), early silent serial * ''Winners of the West'' (1940 serial), sound serial See also *'' Winning of the West'', 1953 film starring Gen ...

'' (1940, Serial) as Jeff Ramsay * ''

Rangers of Fortune ''Rangers of Fortune'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Sam Wood. The plot revolves around three heroes, played by Fred MacMurray, Albert Dekker, and Gilbert Roland, as they battle a ruthless land baron who is intent on driving out sm ...

'' (1940) as Johnny Cash * ''

The Mummy's Hand ''The Mummy's Hand'' is a 1940 American horror film directed by Christy Cabanne and produced by Ben Pivar for Universal Studios. Shot in black-and-white, the film is about the ancient Egyptian mummy of Kharis ( Tom Tyler), who is kept alive wit ...

'' (1940) as Steve Banning * ''

Four Mothers ''Four Mothers'' is a 1941 American drama film and sequel to '' Four Daughters'' (1938) and '' Four Wives'' (1939). The film stars Claude Rains, Jeffrey Lynn, May Robson and featuring the Lane Sisters: Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane and Lola ...

'' (1941) as Ernest Talbot * '' Horror Island'' (1941) as Bill Martin * ''

In the Navy "In the Navy" is a song by American disco group Village People. It was released as the first single from their fourth studio album, '' Go West'' (1979). It was a number one hit in Canada, Flanders, Japan and the Netherlands, while reaching numbe ...

'' (1941) as Dynamite Dugan * ''

Riders of Death Valley ''Riders of Death Valley'' is a 1941 American Western film serial from Universal Pictures. It was a high budget serial with an all-star cast led by Dick Foran and Buck Jones. Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor directed. It also features Lon Chaney Jr ...

'' (1941) as Jim Benton * '' Unfinished Business'' (1941) as Frank * ''

The Kid from Kansas ''The Kid from Kansas '' is a 1941 American action adventure film directed by William Nigh and starring Leo Carrillo, Dick Foran and Andy Devine. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. Plot On a fictional island banana plantation ...

'' (1941) as Kansas * '' Mob Town'' (1941) as Sgt. Frank Conroy * ''

Keep 'Em Flying ''Keep 'Em Flying'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin starring the team of Abbott and Costello alongside Martha Raye and Carol Bruce. The film was their third service comedy based on the peacetime draft of 1940. The come ...

'' (1941) as Jinx Roberts * '' Road Agent'' (1941) as Duke Masters * ''

Ride 'Em Cowboy Ride 'Em Cowboy may refer to: * ''Ride 'Em Cowboy'' (1936 film), a 1936 Western film starring Buck Jones * ''Ride 'Em Cowboy'' (1942 film), a 1942 Abbott and Costello film * ''Ride 'Em Cowboy'' (song), a 1974 song written and recorded by Paul Da ...

'' (1942) as Bronco Bob Mitchell * ''

Butch Minds the Baby ''Butch Minds the Baby'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Albert S. Rogell and written by Leonard Spigelgass, based on the short story of the same name by Damon Runyon. The film stars Virginia Bruce, Broderick Crawford, Dick Foran, Port ...

'' (1942) as Dennis Devlin * ''

Private Buckaroo ''Private Buckaroo'' is a 1942 American comedy-musical film directed by Edward F. Cline starring The Andrews Sisters, Dick Foran, Harry James, Shemp Howard, Joe E. Lewis, and Jennifer Holt. The film tells the story of army recruits following ...

'' (1942) as Lon Prentice * ''

The Mummy's Tomb ''The Mummy's Tomb'' is a 1942 American horror film directed by Harold Young and starring Lon Chaney Jr. as Kharis the mummy. Taking place 30 years after the events of '' The Mummy's Hand'', where Andoheb ( George Zucco) has survived and plans ...

'' (1942) as Stephen Banning * '' Behind the Eight Ball'' (1942) as Bill Edwards * ''

Hi, Buddy ''Hi, Buddy'' is a 1943 American musical film directed by Harold Young and written by Warren Wilson. The film stars Dick Foran, Harriet Nelson, Robert Paige, Marjorie Lord, Bobs Watson, Tommy Cook, Jennifer Holt and Gus Schilling. The film ...

'' (1943) as Dave O'Connor * '' He's My Guy'' (1943) as Van Moore * ''

Guest Wife ''Guest Wife'' is a 1945 American comedy film directed by Sam Wood Samuel Grosvenor Wood (July 10, 1883 – September 22, 1949) was an American film director and producer who is best known for having directed such Hollywood hits as ''A Night ...

'' (1945) as Christopher Price * '' Easy Come, Easy Go'' (1947) as Dale Whipple * '' Fort Apache'' (1948) as Sgt. Quincannon * ''

El Paso El Paso (; ; or ) is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States. The 2020 United States census, 2020 population of the city from the United States Census Bureau, U.S. Census Bureau was 678,815, making it the List of ...

'' (1949) as Sheriff La Farge * '' Deputy Marshall'' (1949) as Joel Benton / Jed Northey * ''

Al Jennings of Oklahoma ''Al Jennings of Oklahoma'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Dan Duryea and Gale Storm. It is based on the story of Al Jennings, a former train robber turned attorney. Plot The rambunctious youngest son of ...

'' (1951) as Frank Jennings * ''

Treasure of Ruby Hills ''Treasure of Ruby Hills'' is a 1955 American black-and-white Western (genre), Western film directed by Frank McDonald (director), Frank McDonald and starring Zachary Scott, Carole Mathews, Barton MacLane, Dick Foran, and Lola Albright. The fil ...

'' (1955) as Alan Doran * '' Please Murder Me'' (1956) as Joe Leeds * '' Sierra Stranger'' (1957) as Bert Gaines * ''

Chicago Confidential ''Chicago Confidential'' is a 1957 American crime film noir directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Brian Keith, Beverly Garland and Dick Foran. It is based on the 1950 book ''Chicago: Confidential!'' by Jack Lait and Lee Mortimer. ''Chicago ...

'' (1957) as Arthur 'Artie' Blane * ''

Violent Road ''Violent Road'', also known as ''Hell's Highway'', is a 1958 American film directed by Howard W. Koch, written by Richard H. Landau, and starring Brian Keith, Dick Foran, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Merry Anders, Sean Garrison and Joanna Barnes. ...

'' (aka ''Hell's Highway'') (1958) as Frank 'Sarge' Miller * ''

Thundering Jets ''Thundering Jets'' is a 1958 American drama film directed by Helmut Dantine, written by James Landis, and starring Rex Reason, Dick Foran, Audrey Dalton, Barry Coe, and Robert Dix. ''Thundering Jets'' was released in May 1958, by 20th Century ...

'' (1958) as Lt. Col. Henry Spalding * '' The Fearmakers'' (1958) as Jim McGinnis * ''

The Atomic Submarine ''The Atomic Submarine'' is a 1959 independently made, American black-and-white science-fiction film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and starring Arthur Franz, Dick Foran, Brett Halsey, Joi Lansing and Jean Moorhead, with John Hilliard as the ...

'' (1959) as Cmdr. Dan Wendover * '' The Big Night'' (1960) as Ed * ''

Studs Lonigan ''Studs Lonigan'' is a novel trilogy by American author James T. Farrell: '' Young Lonigan'' (1932), '' The Young Manhood of Studs Lonigan'' (1934), and ''Judgment Day'' (1935). In 1998, the Modern Library ranked the Studs Lonigan trilogy 29th ...

'' (1960) as Patrick Lonigan * ''

Lassie Lassie is a fictional female Rough Collie dog and is featured in a 1938 short story by Eric Knight that was later expanded to a 1940 full-length novel, '' Lassie Come-Home''. Knight's portrayal of Lassie bears some features in common with anot ...

'' as the fire chief Ed Washburne (TV series, 7 episodes, 1961–64) * ''

Donovan's Reef ''Donovan's Reef'' is a 1963 American adventure comedy film starring John Wayne and Lee Marvin. It was directed by John Ford and filmed in Kauai, Hawaii, but is set in French Polynesia. The supporting cast features Elizabeth Allen, Jack Warden ...

'' (1963) as Australian Navy Officer Sean O'Brien * ''

Taggart ''Taggart'' is a Scottish detective fiction television programme created by Glenn Chandler, who wrote many of the episodes, and made by STV Studios for the ITV network. It originally ran as the miniseries ''Killer'' from 6 until 20 Septe ...

'' (1964) as Adam Stark * ''

Brighty of the Grand Canyon ''Brighty of the Grand Canyon'' is a 1953 children's novel by Marguerite Henry and a 1967 film of the same name based on the novel. They present a fictionalized account of a real-life burro named "Brighty", who lived in the Grand Canyon of t ...

'' (1966) as Old Timer, the Prospector

Selected television

References

External links

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"Dick Foran, 'The Singing Cowboy'"The Old Corral
{{DEFAULTSORT:Foran, Dick 1910 births 1979 deaths Hun School of Princeton alumni Male Western (genre) film actors American male film actors American male television actors Singing cowboys People from Flemington, New Jersey Burials at San Fernando Mission Cemetery Male actors from Los Angeles 20th-century American male actors Male actors from New Jersey Singers from New Jersey 20th-century American singers 20th-century American male singers Actors from Hunterdon County, New Jersey