Zachary Scott (February 21, 1914 – October 3, 1965)Obituary '' Variety'', October 6, 1965. was an American actor who was known for his roles as villains and "mystery men".

Early life

Scott was born in Austin, Texas, the son of Sallie Lee (Masterson) and Zachary Thomson Scott, a doctor. Scott intended to follow his father into medicine, but after attending the

University of Texas The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 1883, it is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. With 53,082 students as of fall 2 ...

at Austin, he dropped out at age 19 and worked as a seaman on an England-bound freighter. There he appeared in almost two dozen

repertory theatre A repertory theatre, also called repertory, rep, true rep or stock, which are also called producing theatres, is a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation. United Kingdom ...

productions in 18 months. When he returned to Texas, he began to act in local theater productions.

Career

Broadway

Alfred Lunt Alfred David Lunt (August 12, 1892 – August 3, 1977) was an American actor and director, best known for his long stage partnership with his wife, Lynn Fontanne, from the 1920s to 1960, co-starring in Broadway theatre, Broadway and West End thea ...

and

Lynn Fontanne Lynn Fontanne (; 6 December 1887 – 30 July 1983) was an English actress. After early success in supporting roles in the West End theatre, West End, she met the American actor Alfred Lunt, whom she married in 1922 and with whom she co-starred i ...

met Scott and his wife Elaine Anderson in Austin, Texas, where Scott was again attending the University of Texas, and then wrote to Lawrence Langer about summer jobs for both at the Westport Playhouse in Connecticut, which led to Scott's engagements in New York. He left the university without completing his degree and made his debut in a 1941 revival of '' Ah, Wilderness!'' with a small role as a bartender. He was also in '' The Damask Cheek'' (1942), ''The Rock'' (1943), and ''Those Endearing Young Charms'' (1943).

Warner Bros.

Jack L. Warner Jack Leonard Warner (born Jacob Warner; August 2, 1892 – September 9, 1978) was a Canadian-born American film executive, who was the president and driving force behind the Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. Warner's ca ...

saw Scott perform in ''Those Endearing Young Charms'' and signed him to his first film contract, which led to his screen debut in '' The Mask of Dimitrios'' (1944). Scott was one of the many Warners stars who had small roles in '' Hollywood Canteen'' (1944). He was loaned to

United Artists United Artists (UA) is an American film production and film distribution, distribution company owned by Amazon MGM Studios. In its original operating period, it was founded in February 1919 by Charlie Chaplin, D. W. Griffith, Mary Pickford an ...

to play the lead in '' The Southerner'' (1945) directed by

Jean Renoir Jean Renoir (; 15 September 1894 – 12 February 1979) was a French film director, screenwriter, actor, producer and author. His '' La Grande Illusion'' (1937) and '' The Rules of the Game'' (1939) are often cited by critics as among the greate ...

. Back at Warners, Scott was cast in '' Mildred Pierce'' (1945) and received much acclaim for his performance as the duplicitous lover of both

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 ...

and her daughter, and his mysterious murder forms the basis of the plot and frames the film's opening and closing. ''Variety'' noted that Scott "makes the most of his character" in "a talented performance." Scott co-starred with Faye Emerson in '' Danger Signal'' (1945) and was with Janis Paige and

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 ...

in '' Her Kind of Man'' (1946). In 1946, exhibitors voted Scott the third most promising "star of tomorrow". Scott supported Ann Sheridan in '' The Unfaithful'' (1947) and

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party a ...

and Alexis Smith in '' Stallion Road'' (1947). MGM borrowed him to support

Lana Turner Julia Jean "Lana" Turner ( ; February 8, 1921June 29, 1995) was an American actress. Over a career spanning nearly five decades, she achieved fame as both a pin-up model and a film actress, as well as for her highly publicized personal life. ...

and

Spencer Tracy Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing style and versatility. One of the major stars of Classical Hollywood cinema, Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was the ...

in '' Cass Timberlane'' (1947). He had the lead in a noir for Eagle-Lion Films, '' Ruthless'' (1948), then returned to Warners for '' Whiplash'' (1948) with Clark. He supported

Virginia Mayo Virginia Mayo (born Virginia Clara Jones; November 30, 1920 – January 17, 2005) was an American actress and dancer. She was in a series of popular comedy films with Danny Kaye and was Warner Bros.' biggest box-office draw in the late 1940s. S ...

in '' Flaxy Martin'' (1949) and

Joel McCrea Joel Albert McCrea (November 5, 1905 – October 20, 1990) was an American actor whose career spanned a wide variety of genres over almost five decades, including comedy, drama, romance, thrillers, adventures, and Westerns, for which he bec ...

in the independent '' South of St. Louis'' (1949). He was reunited with Crawford in '' Flamingo Road'' (1949). Warners tried Scott in '' One Last Fling'' (1949), a comedy with Alexis Smith. He starred in some films outside the studio: '' Guilty Bystander'' (1950) and '' Shadow on the Wall'' (1950). At Warners, he supported

Randolph Scott George Randolph Scott (January 23, 1898 – March 2, 1987) was an American film actor, whose Hollywood career spanned from 1928 to 1962. As a leading man for all but the first three years of his cinematic career, Scott appeared in dramas, come ...

in '' Colt .45'' (1950). He did '' Born to Be Bad'' (1950) for Nicholas Ray and ''

Pretty Baby Pretty Baby may refer to: * ''Pretty Baby'' (1950 film), a comedy film featuring Dennis Morgan and Betsy Drake * ''Pretty Baby'' (1978 film), a drama film featuring Brooke Shields ** ''Pretty Baby'' (soundtrack), a soundtrack album from the film ...

'' (1950) for Warners. After being dropped by Warners, Scott appeared on a variety of television series such as ''

Armstrong Circle Theatre ''Armstrong Circle Theatre'' is an American anthology drama television series which ran from June 6, 1950, to June 25, 1957, on NBC, and from October 2, 1957, to August 28, 1963, on CBS. It alternated weekly with '' The United States Steel Ho ...

'' (1950) and '' Pulitzer Prize Playhouse'' (1951). He did '' Lightning Strikes Twice'' (1951) for

King Vidor King Wallis Vidor ( ; February 8, 1894 – November 1, 1982) was an American film director, film producer, and screenwriter whose 67-year film-making career successfully spanned the silent and sound eras. His works are distinguished by a vivid, ...

and '' The Secret of Convict Lake'' (1951).

Leaving Warners

Scott's first film after he left Warners was '' Stronghold'' (1951) with Veronica Lake. He followed it with '' Let's Make It Legal'' (1951). He was on TV in ''

Tales of Tomorrow ''Tales of Tomorrow'' is an American anthology science fiction series that was performed and broadcast live on ABC from 1951 to 1953. The series covered such stories as ''Frankenstein'' starring Lon Chaney Jr., ''20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' ...

'' (1951) and '' Betty Crocker Star Matinee'' (1952) and went to England to make '' Wings of Danger'' (1952). In Hollywood, he was in ''

Studio One in Hollywood ''Studio One'' is an American anthology drama television series that was adapted from a radio series. It was created in 1947 by Canadian director Fletcher Markle, who came to CBS from the CBC. It premiered on November 7, 1948, and ended on Sept ...

'' (1953), and '' Medallion Theatre'' (1953) on TV, and '' Appointment in Honduras'' (1953), directed by

Jacques Tourneur Jacques Tourneur (; ; November 12, 1904 – December 19, 1977) was a French-American filmmaker, active during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known as an auteur of stylish and atmospheric genre films, many of them for RKO Pictures, including ...

. He was in '' The Revlon Mirror Theater'' (1953), '' Chevron Theatre'' (1953), ''Suspense'' (1954), '' Schlitz Playhouse'' (1954), '' The Motorola Television Hour'' (1954), '' Campbell Summer Soundstage'' (1954), ''

The United States Steel Hour ''The United States Steel Hour'' is an anthology series which brought hour-long dramas to television from 1953 to 1963. The television series and the radio program that preceded it were both sponsored by the United States Steel Corporation (U.S. ...

'' (1954), ''Omnibus'' (1954), ''

Climax! ''Climax!'' (later known as ''Climax Mystery Theater'') is an American television anthology series that aired on CBS from 1954 to 1958. The series was hosted by William Lundigan and later co-hosted by Mary Costa. It was one of the few CBS pro ...

'' (1955), ''

General Electric Theater ''General Electric Theater'' is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations. Radio After an audition show ...

'' (1955), ''

Robert Montgomery Presents ''Robert Montgomery Presents'' is an American drama (film and television), drama television series which was produced by NBC from January 30, 1950, until June 24, 1957. The Live television, live show had several sponsors during its eight-year run ...

'' (1956, playing

Philip Marlowe Philip Marlowe ( ) is a fictional character created by Raymond Chandler who was characteristic of the hardboiled crime fiction genre. The genre originated in the 1920s, notably in '' Black Mask'' magazine, in which Dashiell Hammett's The Cont ...

in a version of '' The Big Sleep''), ''

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), '' The Star and the Story'' (1956), '' Celebrity Playhouse'' (1956), '' Theatre Night'' (1957) and ''Pursuit'' (1958). He made the occasional film such as '' Treasure of Ruby Hills'' (1955), ''

Shotgun A shotgun (also known as a scattergun, peppergun, or historically as a fowling piece) is a long gun, long-barreled firearm designed to shoot a straight-walled cartridge (firearms), cartridge known as a shotshell, which discharges numerous small ...

'' (1955), '' Flame of the Islands'' (1956), '' The Counterfeit Plan'' (1957), and '' Man in the Shadow'' (1957); the last two were shot in Britain. Scott returned to Broadway with ''Requiem for a Nun'' (1959).

Later roles

Scott was in '' The Young One'' (1960) directed by

Luis Buñuel Luis Buñuel Portolés (; 22 February 1900 – 29 July 1983) was a Spanish and Mexican filmmaker who worked in France, Mexico and Spain. He has been widely considered by many film critics, historians and directors to be one of the greatest and ...

. He guest starred on '' The Chevy Mystery Show'' (1960), ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, airing on CBS and NBC, alternately, between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. Between 1962 ...

'' (1960) and '' Diagnosis: Unknown'' (1960). In 1961, he portrayed White Eyes, a Native American Chief, in the ''

Rawhide Rawhide may refer to: *Rawhide (material), a hide or animal skin that has not been tanned * Whip made from rawhide Entertainment * ''Rawhide'' (1926 film), a Western directed by Richard Thorpe * ''Rawhide'' (1938 film), a Western starring baseball ...

'' episode "Incident Before Black Pass". He was in the film ''

Natchez Trace The Natchez Trace, also known as the Old Natchez Trace, is a historic forest trail within the United States which extends roughly from Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi, linking the Cumberland River, Cumberland, Tennessee River, ...

'' (1960) and had roles in ''

The DuPont Show of the Month ''DuPont Show of the Month'' was a 90-minute television anthology series that aired monthly on CBS from 1957 to 1961. The DuPont Company also sponsored a weekly half-hour dramatic anthology series hosted by June Allyson, ''The DuPont Show with Ju ...

'' (1961), ''

Play of the Week Play most commonly refers to: * Play (activity), an activity done for enjoyment * Play (theatre), a work of drama Play may refer also to: Computers and technology * Google Play, a digital content service * Play Framework, a Java framework * P ...

'' (1961), '' The New Breed'' (1961), '' The Defenders'' (1961) and '' The DuPont Show of the Week'' (1962). Scott's last roles included '' It's Only Money'' (1962) with

Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis (born Joseph Levitch; March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian, with a career spanning seven decades in film, stage, television and radio. Famously nicknamed as "Th ...

, the TV movie ''The Expendables'' (1962), and episodes of '' The Doctors and the Nurses'' (1962) and '' The Rogues'' (1965). He returned to Broadway for ''A Rainy Day in Newark ''(1963) by Howard Teichmann. He then moved back to Austin.

Personal life

During his time at Warner's, Scott and his first wife Elaine socialized regularly with

Angela Lansbury Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury (October 16, 1925 – October 11, 2022) was an Irish-British and American actress, producer, and singer. In a career spanning 80 years, she played various roles on stage and screen. Among her numerous accolades wer ...

and her husband

Richard Cromwell Richard Cromwell (4 October 162612 July 1712) was an English statesman who served as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1658 to 1659. He was the son of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. Following his father ...

. Elaine Scott had met Zachary Scott in Austin and she made a name for herself behind the scenes on Broadway as stage manager for the original production of ''

Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs's 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...

''. The Scotts had one child together. In 1950, Scott was involved in a rafting accident. Also during that year, he and Elaine divorced; she later married writer

John Steinbeck John Ernst Steinbeck ( ; February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968) was an American writer. He won the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social percep ...

. Possibly as a result of these developments or due to a box-office slump, Scott succumbed to depression, which affected his acting for Warners. Scott married his second wife, actress

Ruth Ford Ruth Ford (July 7, 1911 – August 12, 2009) was an American actress and model. Her brother was the Bohemianism, bohemian surrealist Charles Henri Ford. Their parents owned or managed hotels in the American South, and the family regularly move ...

, in 1952. Scott adopted her daughter from Ford's previous marriage to Peter van Eyck.

Death

Scott died on October 3, 1965, from a malignant brain tumor at the home of his mother in Austin, Texas at the age of 51.

Legacy

Scott has a star at 6349 Hollywood Boulevard in the Motion Pictures section of 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 ...

. It was dedicated on February 8, 1960. In 1968, Austin renamed its civic center Zachary Scott Theatre Center in memory of the city's native son. Two streets in the Austin area are named in his memory: at the old airport Mueller Redevelopment and in unincorporated southeast Travis County. Scott's family endowed two chairs at the University of Texas's theatre department in his name.

Filmography

Radio appearances

Television

References

External links

* *
The Zachary Scott Theatre Center (ZACH)

Zachary Scott photos
on th
Portal to Texas History
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scott, Zachary 1914 births 1965 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors Deaths from brain cancer in Texas Male actors from Austin, Texas University of Texas at Austin alumni Warner Bros. contract players Phi Delta Theta members