Richard Egan (actor)
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Richard Egan (July 29, 1921 – July 20, 1987) was an American actor. After beginning his career in 1949, he subsequently won a
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally held every Janua ...
for his performances in the films '' The Glory Brigade'' (1953) and '' The Kid from Left Field'' (1953). He went on to star in many films such as '' Underwater!'' (1955), ''
Seven Cities of Gold The myth of the Seven Cities of Gold, also known as the Seven Cities of Cíbola (), was popular in the 16th century and later featured in several works of popular culture. According to legend, the seven cities of gold referred to Aztec mythology ...
'' (1955), '' The Revolt of Mamie Stover'' (1956), '' Love Me Tender'' (1956), '' Tension at Table Rock'' (1956), '' A Summer Place'' (1959), '' Esther and the King'' (1960) and '' The 300 Spartans'' (1962).


Early life

Egan was born and raised in
San Francisco, California San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...
. Of Irish descent, he graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory. He won a public-speaking competition in 1938 that helped fire his interest in performing. He was supported by his brother who was a priest. Egan studied drama while pursuing a BA at the
University of San Francisco The University of San Francisco (USF) is a Private university, private Society of Jesus, Jesuit university in San Francisco, California, United States. Founded in 1855, it has nearly 9,000 students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees ...
. In 1943 he left to serve in the United States Army as a
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and knife fighting instructor during World War II. He spent a year in the Philippines and was discharged with the rank of captain. "The war had given me time to think", he later said, "and to decide what I really wanted to do. I think I had always been an actor in my mind, but now I was going to be one in public, too. Right out in front of everybody." When Egan returned, he went back to school to earn a
master's degree A master's degree (from Latin ) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional prac ...
in theater history from
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, with the help of the
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. From there, he went on to teach public speaking at
Northwestern University Northwestern University (NU) is a Private university, private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851 to serve the historic Northwest Territory, it is the oldest University charter, chartered university in ...
. While at Northwestern, he appeared in thirty campus stage productions and was eventually spotted by a
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talent scout, Solly Bioano, who encouraged him to try Hollywood.


Career

Egan had a series of unsuccessful screen tests. He eventually got a bit role in the 1949 Hollywood film '' The Story of Molly X'', at Universal. He had small roles in '' The Good Humor Man'' (1950) starring Jack Carson, at Columbia; '' The Damned Don't Cry'' (1950) (as
Joan Crawford Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; March 23, 190? was an American actress. She started her career as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway theatre, Broadway. Crawford was signed to a motion-picture cont ...
's husband) and '' Return of the Frontiersman'' (1950) with Gordon MacRae and
Rory Calhoun Rory Calhoun (born Francis Timothy McCown, August 8, 1922April 28, 1999) was an American film and television actor. He starred in numerous Westerns in the 1950s and 1960s, and appeared in supporting roles in films such as ''How to Marry a Millio ...
, both at Warner Bros.; and '' The Killer That Stalked New York'' (1950) with Evelyn Keyes, at Columbia.


Universal

In June 1950 Egan signed a contract with Universal. There he had supporting roles in '' Wyoming Mail'' (1950), '' Undercover Girl'' (1950), '' Kansas Raiders'' (1950); '' Highway 301'' (1950); '' Bright Victory'' (1951); and '' Up Front'' (1951). Egan later described these roles as saying things like "Charlie, go outside! The horses are ready." He was billed third on the screen (but sixth on the posters) as a police investigator in '' Hollywood Story'' (1951), directed by
William Castle William Castle (born William Schloss Jr.; April 24, 1914 – May 31, 1977) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He is known for the horror film, horror and thriller film, thriller B movie, B-movies he directed durin ...
, and billed fourth in the swashbuckler '' The Golden Horde'' (1951). Egan was also in '' Flame of Araby'' (1951) and '' The Battle at Apache Pass'' (1952). Edward Small cast him in a support role in '' Cripple Creek'' (1952). Egan went to RKO for '' One Minute to Zero'' (1952) and MGM for '' The Devil Makes Three'' (1952), shot in Germany. He did "Let George Do It" on TV for '' Hollywood Opening Night'' (1952). Egan had support roles in RKO's '' Blackbeard the Pirate'' (1952) starring Robert Newton and '' Split Second'' (1953). Egan supported Victor Mature in '' The Glory Brigade'' (1953), a war movie at
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc., formerly 20th Century Fox, is an American film studio, film production and Film distributor, distribution company owned by the Walt Disney Studios (division), Walt Disney Studios, the film studios division of the ...
, then had a small part in '' The Kid from Left Field'' (1953). He did "Malaya Incident" and "Double Bet" for '' Ford Television Theatre''(1953). Egan's career received a boost when a casting director, according to Egan, said "Take off your shirt!" and then cast him in a small role in '' Demetrius and the Gladiators'' (1954), as a gladiator who fights Victor Mature. This led to Egan's first leading role, in Edward Small's '' Wicked Woman'' (1953). On TV he did "Go Away a Winner" for '' Schlitz Playhouse'' (1954), then had another lead in a low budget movie, '' Gog'' (1954), produced by
Ivan Tors Ivan Tors (born Iván Törzs; June 12, 1916 – June 4, 1983) was a Hungary, Hungarian playwright, film director, screenwriter, and Film producer, film and television producer with an emphasis on non-violent but exciting science fiction, underwat ...
. Small used him as a leading man again in '' Khyber Patrol'' (1954). He was used by RKO to costar with Jane Russell in '' Underwater!'' (1955). It led to
Hedda Hopper Elda Furry (May 2, 1885February 1, 1966), known professionally as Hedda Hopper, was an American gossip columnist and actress. At the height of her influence in the 1940s, more than 35 million people read her columns. A strong supporter of the Hous ...
declaring Egan to be one of the most promising actors of 1954.


20th Century Fox

In July 1954, Darryl F. Zanuck of Fox offered Egan a seven-year contract at two films a year. Egan was billed third in Fox's '' Untamed'' (1955), supporting Tyrone Power and
Susan Hayward Susan Hayward (born Edythe Marrener; June 30, 1917 – March 14, 1975) was an American actress best known for her film portrayals of women that were based on true stories. After working as a fashion model for the Walter Clarence Thornton, Walt ...
, taking a role that Victor Mature turned down. He was billed second in Fox's '' Violent Saturday'' (1955), directed by
Richard Fleischer Richard Owen Fleischer (; December 8, 1916 – March 25, 2006) was an American film director. His career spanned more than four decades, beginning at the height of the Golden Age of Hollywood and lasting through the American New Wave. He was the ...
, starring Mature. The film was a success. Fox announced him for ''Women in the Woods'' with Sheree North and
Rita Moreno Rita Moreno (born Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano; December 11, 1931) is an American actress, dancer, and singer. With a career spanning eight decades she is known for her roles on stage and screen, and is one of the last remaining stars from t ...
but it was not made.


Stardom

Egan was top-billed in Fox's ''
Seven Cities of Gold The myth of the Seven Cities of Gold, also known as the Seven Cities of Cíbola (), was popular in the 16th century and later featured in several works of popular culture. According to legend, the seven cities of gold referred to Aztec mythology ...
'' (1955), an adventure film. He had the star part in '' The View from Pompey's Head'' (1955), which was well received. He starred in '' The Revolt of Mamie Stover'' (1956), opposite Jane Russell again (playing a part turned down by
Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe ( ; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; June 1, 1926 August 4, 1962) was an American actress and model. Known for playing comic "Blonde stereotype#Blonde bombshell, blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex ...
). Egan went to RKO for a Western, '' Tension at Table Rock'' (1956). He followed this with another Western at Fox, '' Love Me Tender'' (1956), where Egan was top-billed. It was a success at the box office. However this was attributed to the third-billed actor who played Egan's character's brother,
Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...
, whose first film it was. The success of the film saw Egan voted as the 13th biggest star in the US according to an exhibitor poll. Egan signed a contract with Universal where he made '' Slaughter on Tenth Avenue'' (1957), and '' Voice in the Mirror'' (1958). Back at Fox, Egan starred with Robert Mitchum and
Robert Wagner Robert John Wagner Jr. (born February 10, 1930) is an American actor. He is known for starring in the television shows ''It Takes a Thief (1968 TV series), It Takes a Thief'' (1968–1970), ''Switch (American TV series), Switch'' (1975–1978), ...
in '' The Hunters'' (1958), and Don Murray in '' These Thousand Hills'' (1959). Egan had another hit with '' A Summer Place'' (1959) at Warner Bros. which co-starred
Sandra Dee Sandra Dee (born Alexandra Zuck; April 23, 1942 – February 20, 2005) was an American actress. Dee began her career as a child model, working first in commercials and then film in her teenage years. Best known for her portrayal of ingénues ...
and
Troy Donahue Troy Donahue (born Merle Johnson Jr., January 27, 1936 – September 2, 2001) was an American film and television actor, best known for his role as Johnny Hunter in the film '' A Summer Place''. He was a popular sex symbol in the 1950s and ...
. In 1960, Egan appeared with
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and
Hayley Mills Hayley Catherine Rose Vivien Mills (born 18 April 1946) is an English actress. The daughter of Sir John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell and younger sister of actress Juliet Mills, she began her acting career as a child and was hailed as a promisi ...
in Disney's '' Pollyanna''. He co-starred with Joan Collins in Fox's '' Esther and the King'' (1960). Egan was
Rod Serling Rodman Edward Serling (December 25, 1924 – June 28, 1975) was an American screenwriter and television producer best known for his live television dramas of the 1950s and his Anthology series, anthology television series ''The Twilight Zone (1 ...
's first choice to narrate ''
The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology series, anthology television series created by Rod Serling in which characters find themselves dealing with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described ...
'', because of his distinctive voice. However, contractual issues got in the way, and Serling himself narrated instead, rather than select any actor other than his first choice. Egan played the lead role of
Leonidas I Leonidas I (; , ''Leōnídas''; born ; died 11 August 480 BC) was king of the Ancient Greek city-state of Sparta. He was the son of king Anaxandridas II and the 17th king of the Agiad dynasty, a Spartan royal house which claimed descent fro ...
in Fox's '' The 300 Spartans'' (1962).


Television

Egan starred in the NBC
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drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...
tic
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, ''
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'', which aired from September 25, 1962 to December 31, 1963. In the shortened second season, the program was renamed '' Redigo'' after Egan's character, ranch manager Jim Redigo. When the series ended Egan starred in a TV thriller '' Fanfare for a Death Scene'' (1964). He did "Massacre at Fort Phil Kearney" for '' Theatre of Stars'' (1966) and the TV movie '' Valley of Mystery'' (1967). In 1966, when asked about his lack of film roles, he said, "They want anti-heroes now, and it's just not for me. I'm just not right for that. It's much easier to be cynical than to make a positive statement, to set up a man only to knock him down, than to show convincingly a man who successfully sticks by his beliefs. We desperately need something to give strength and fortitude to the lost. I want to be a part of that. Part of the solution. And if I can't . . . well . . . I'm sure not interested in becoming part of the problem instead." Egan had the lead in some low-budget films, '' Chubasco'' (1968) and ''
The Destructors "The Destructors" is a 1954 short story written by Graham Greene, first published in ''Picture Post'' and subsequently collected in '' Twenty-One Stories'' later that year.The Big Cube'' (1969). Egan had the lead in '' Moonfire'' (1970) and co-starred with Barbara Stanwyck in ''
The House That Would Not Die ''The House That Would Not Die'' is a 1970 American made-for-television supernatural horror film starring Barbara Stanwyck (in her television film debut), Richard Egan, Michael Anderson Jr. and Kitty Winn. It premiered as the '' ABC Movie of ...
''. He had the lead in the TV movie '' The Day of the Wolves'' (1971) and a support part in ''Left Hand of Gemini'' (1972) and '' Shootout in a One Dog Town'' (1974).


Later roles

Egan began guest starring on TV series such as '' The Streets of San Francisco'', ''
Matt Helm Matt Helm is a fictional character created by American author Donald Hamilton (1916–2006). Helm is a U.S. government counter-agent, a man whose primary job is to kill or nullify enemy agents—not a spy or secret agent in the ordinary sense of ...
'', '' The Quest'', and '' Police Story''. He had a lead in ''Throw Out the Anchor!'' (1974). In 1974, he returned to the stage and for the next eight years toured extensively in stage productions starting with ''No Hard Feelings''. (1974 until 1976). In 1976 he appeared in ''Time Out For Ginger'', 1976 to 1979 in ''Hanky Panky'', 1979 to 1981 in ''Broken Up'' and 1982 in ''I Ought To Be In Pictures''. Egan had the lead in a TV movie, ''Mission to Glory: A True Story'' (1977), and co starred with Robert Mitchum in '' The Amsterdam Kill'' (1977) and starred in the low-budget Western ''The Sweet Creek County War'' (1979). Egan joined the political
soap opera A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term ''soap opera'' originat ...
, '' Capitol'', as a recurring character in 1982.


Personal life

Egan met his wife, Patricia Hardy, in 1956. The couple married on June 7, 1958, in San Francisco and remained together until Egan's death in July 1987. The couple had four daughters — Patricia, Kathleen, Colleen, and Maureen, a writer and
music video A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...
director — as well as a son, Richard Egan Jr., who founded
Vagrant Records Vagrant Records is an American record label based in California. It was founded in 1995 by Rich Egan and Jon Cohen. The label focuses on rock music, rock, but features artists in a variety of other genres including folk music, folk, soul music, so ...
. Egan died in
Santa Monica, California Santa Monica (; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Santa Mónica'') is a city in Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, situated along Santa Monica Bay on California's South Coast (California), South Coast. Santa Monica's 2020 United Sta ...
, on July 20, 1987, of
prostate cancer Prostate cancer is the neoplasm, uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system below the bladder. Abnormal growth of the prostate tissue is usually detected through Screening (medicine), screening tests, ...
at age 65. He was remembered in ''The New York Times'' as being, "known for his roles as a tough leading man in action films and Westerns." He is interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.


Partial filmography

*'' The Story of Molly X'' (1949) – Police Detective (uncredited) *'' The Good Humor Man'' (1950) – Officer Daley *'' The Damned Don't Cry!'' (1950) – Roy Whitehead *'' Return of the Frontiersman'' (1950) – Cowhand (uncredited) *'' The Killer That Stalked New York'' (1950) – Treasury Agent Owney (uncredited) *'' Wyoming Mail'' (1950) – Beale *'' Undercover Girl'' (1950) – Jess Faylen *'' Kansas Raiders'' (1950) – First Lieutenant *'' Highway 301'' (1950) – Herbie Brooks *'' Up Front'' (1951) – Capa *'' Bright Victory'' (1951) – Sgt. John Masterson *'' Hollywood Story'' (1951) – Police Lt. Bud Lennox *'' The Golden Horde'' (1951) – Gill *'' Flame of Araby'' (1951) – Captain Fezil *'' The Battle at Apache Pass'' (1952) – Sgt. Reuben Bernard *'' Cripple Creek'' (1952) – Strap Galland alias Gillis *'' One Minute to Zero'' (1952) – Capt. Ralston *'' The Devil Makes Three'' (1952) – Lt. Parker *'' Blackbeard the Pirate'' (1952) – Briggs *'' Split Second'' (1953) – Dr. Neal Garven *'' The Glory Brigade'' (1953) – Sgt. Johnson *'' The Kid from Left Field'' (1953) – Billy Lorant *'' Wicked Woman'' (1953) – Matt Bannister *'' Gog'' (1954) – Dr. David Sheppard *'' Demetrius and the Gladiators'' (1954) – Dardanius *'' Khyber Patrol'' (1954) – Capt. Kyle Cameron *'' Underwater!'' (1955) – Johnny Gray *'' Untamed'' (1955) – Kurt Hout *'' Violent Saturday'' (1955) – Boyd Fairchild *''
Seven Cities of Gold The myth of the Seven Cities of Gold, also known as the Seven Cities of Cíbola (), was popular in the 16th century and later featured in several works of popular culture. According to legend, the seven cities of gold referred to Aztec mythology ...
'' (1955) – Jose Mendoza *'' The View from Pompey's Head'' (1955) – Anson 'Sonny' Page *'' The Revolt of Mamie Stover'' (1956) – Jim Blair *'' Tension at Table Rock'' (1956) – Wes Tancred *'' Love Me Tender'' (1956) – Vance Reno *'' Slaughter on Tenth Avenue'' (1957) – William "Bill" Keating *'' Voice in the Mirror'' (1958) – Jim Burton *'' The Hunters'' (1958) – Colonel Dutch Imil *'' These Thousand Hills'' (1959) – Jehu *'' A Summer Place'' (1959) – Ken Jorgenson *'' Pollyanna'' (1960) – Dr. Edmond Chilton *'' Esther and the King'' (1960) – King Ahasuerus *'' The 300 Spartans'' (1962) – King Leonidas *'' Chubasco'' (1967) – Sebastian *''
The Destructors "The Destructors" is a 1954 short story written by Graham Greene, first published in ''Picture Post'' and subsequently collected in '' Twenty-One Stories'' later that year.The Big Cube'' (1969) – Frederick Lansdale *''
Downhill Racer ''Downhill Racer'' is a 1969 American sports drama film starring Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, and Camilla Sparv; it was the directorial debut of Michael Ritchie. Written by James Salter, based on the 1963 novel ''The Downhill Racers'' ...
'' (1969) – Extra in bar scene (uncredited) *'' Moonfire'' (1970) – Sam Blue *''
The House That Would Not Die ''The House That Would Not Die'' is a 1970 American made-for-television supernatural horror film starring Barbara Stanwyck (in her television film debut), Richard Egan, Michael Anderson Jr. and Kitty Winn. It premiered as the '' ABC Movie of ...
'' (1970, TV movie) – Pat McDougal *'' The Day of the Wolves'' (1971) – Pete Anderson *''Throw Out the Anchor!'' (1974) – Jonathon *''Mission to Glory: A True Story'' (1977) – Father Eusibio Francisco Kino *'' The Amsterdam Kill'' (1977) – Ridgeway *''The Sweet Creek County War'' (1979) – Judd Firman


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Egan, Richard 1921 births 1987 deaths 20th Century Studios contract players 20th-century American male actors American expatriates in the Philippines American people of Irish descent Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City Deaths from prostate cancer in California Male Western (genre) film actors Male actors from San Francisco New Star of the Year (Actor) Golden Globe winners Northwestern University faculty Stanford University alumni United States Army officers United States Army personnel of World War II University of San Francisco alumni St. Ignatius College Preparatory alumni