He took all of the harsh criticism and ran with it. During his two 1954 films, he forged on despite his injuries and infections. Her interests include learning different languages, trying adventurous food recipes, watching anime and dramas, and belting songs in foreign languages that she (oftentimes) doesnt understand. At Factinate, were dedicated to getting things right. This caused him to miss out on some killer rolesunrivaled opportunities that definitely left Ladd swimming in regret. Soon after losing his father, like a scene straight out of a childrens PSA, Ladd burned down their apartment building while playing with matches. [1][2] He was the only child of Alan Ladd and Marjorie Jane (ne Harrold),[3][4] who divorced when he was two years old. Ladd appeared unbilled in Once in a Lifetime (1932), but the studio eventually decided Ladd was too blond and too short, and it dropped him after six months. Considering his fear of them, its ironic to think that, later on, these destructive tools played a part in Ladds most dangerous accident of all. Ladd next made Hell on Frisco Bay (1955), a film for Jaguar also starring second-billed Edward G. Robinson and Joanne Dru, co-written by Martin Rackin and directed by Frank Tuttle, his old This Gun for Hire associate. When Ladd was cast to play Jay Gatsby in the on-screen production of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby, Paramount was nervous. Alan would not look beyond a certain point in the camera because he didn't think he looked good Jimmy Cagney was not tall but somehow Jimmy was at terms with himself, always. Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 19381946 [Archival Database]; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Alan W. Ladd, 19 January 1943, Los Angeles, California; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park, College Park, Maryland. The role of Gatsby was a significant move away from the tough cool guys Ladd was used to playing. Alan Walbridge Ladd was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the only child of Ina Raleigh (aka Selina Rowley) and Alan Harwood Ladd, a freelance accountant. Along with several other film stars likewise spared, Ladd promptly enlisted with the Hollywood Victory Committee for the entertainment industry's overseas arm, volunteering to tour for USO shows.[53]. Such a mouthful, but it basically means the unit in charge of making propaganda and training films for the army. "[21] John Houseman later wrote that Ladd played "a professional killer with a poignant and desolate ferocity that made him unique, for a time, among the male heroes of his day. They met while studying at the University of Southern California together. January 26, 2015 at 12:00 AM. [citation needed], Carol died on February 4, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, from a heart attack and is interred next to Alan Ladd in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. Enter: Veronica Lake. Unfortunately, halfway through his investigation, he tripped, accidentally shooting himself. [1][2] He later recounted how the time he spent with the elder Ladd was sparse,[1] and described their relationship as "basically nonexistent". "Paramount is like a home to me", he said, "and I'd like to remain on the lot for one picture a year. [131][132], His death, due to cerebral edema caused by an acute overdose of alcohol, a barbiturate, and two tranquilizers containing at least two depressants, was ruled accidental. undernourished featherweight. Alan Ladd Jr was an American producer has died on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at the the age of 84. Most notably, he had a small uncredited part in Citizen Kane, playing a newspaper reporter toward the end of the film. He watched his father, who he shares a name with, collapse and succumb to a heart attack, leaving behind Ladd and his mother to fend for themselves. He stayed for three years at KFWB, working as many as 20 shows per week.[14][16]. Loretta Young, who starred in a 1943 film with Ladd, talked about the serious aura that always surrounded him, and how she never saw him laugh. His mother was English, from County Durham. Ladd was cast, instead, in Branded, a Western. Paramount purchased the screen rights to the play Detective Story as a possible vehicle for Ladd,[66] and he was keen to do it, but the role went to Kirk Douglas. [104] He joined the board of 38 Inc., a new film producing company, which announced plans to make a movie out of a Ben Hecht script. The film featured an early Hollywood appearance by Australian actor Rod Taylor.His part was written especially by Martin Rackin, who worked with Taylor on Long John Silver (1954). Interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, CA, in the Freedom Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Heritage. While he had not taken a lethal amount of any one drug, the combination apparently caused fatal interaction. But when it came to Ladds misfortune, this particular breakup was only the cherry on top. He didnt think much of his mothers reliance on intoxication to deal with her troubles, and, as an adult, he mirrored her behavior. I don't remember hearing him laugh, or ever seeing him laugh. Documentary Proves There's Life Beyond the Original 'Star Wars', "Alan Ladd Jr. On January 29, 1964, his butler said that he saw Ladd on his bed at 10 am; when he returned at 3:30pm, he found Ladd dead on his bed. [92][93] He made Farewell to Kennedy, another TV film for General Electric Theater; he hoped this would lead to a series, but that did not happen.[94]. Her films were made in association with producer Cecil B. DeMille and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was not a big success at the box office, and its mixed critical and commercial reception caused Ladd to avoid serious dramatic roles. He suffered from insomnia and relied heavily on drugs and booze to help him sleep. [128] In outdoor scenes, trenches were dug for Loren to stand in. "[23] There had also been talk Ladd would appear in Red Harvest, another story by Hammett,[24] but this was never produced. [49] He also found time to make a cameo in a big-screen version of Duffy's Tavern. In the 1940s, Alan Ladd became one of the most prominent names in Hollywood. She sat down in the backseat of Ladds car and gulped the poison down, ending her life on the spot. They lived in a migrant camp in Pasadena, California, at first and then moved to the San Fernando Valley, where Beavers went to work at FBO Studios as a painter. 1973-1980. Despite his acting teachers biting words, Ladd managed to build himself a career as a radio actor. With Marjorie, he had 1 son, Alan Ladd Jr. His second marriage was to the former actress Sue Carol, who was also Alan's agent and manager. Speaking of accidents, the filming of Hell on Frisco Bay, one of Ladds later films, was a hot mess (no pun intended). This Gun For Hire (1942), Paramount Pictures, The Great Gatsby (1949), Paramount Pictures, Paratrooper (1953), Warwick Film Productions, The Carpetbaggers (1964), Paramount Pictures, The Truth Always Comes Out: Dark Family Secrets Exposed, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress, Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIIIs First Wife, Pitiless Facts About Jacques Damala, History's Worst Boyfriend, Fortunate Facts About Nepo Babies, The Stars Of The Silver Spoon, In-Your-Face Facts About Andy Kaufman, The Anti-Comedian, Suspicious Facts About Robert Blake, The Did He Or Didnt He Actor. "I'd like to retire from acting", he said in 1960. [37] He was reportedly receiving 20,000 fan letters per week. But this time, there was more in it for him than just romance. But guess who wasnt so picky? [85] Ladd's fee for his Warwick films was $200,000 against 10% of the profits, plus living expenses.[86]. The two parties made peace eventually, but at what cost? Ladd was born on September 3, 1913 to Ina Raleigh and Alan Ladd, in the Arkansas region of the United States. But this horror show didnt end there. Release for this film was delayed. Therefore, his classmates came up with a mean-spirited nickname for him: They decided to call him Tiny, and incessantly taunted his physical appearance. Well, hed just have to change that. He starred in a number of films after that but, as an independent actor, he had a major flaw: his material choosing instincts were abysmal. He made sure his kids were set for life. [1][6] His paternal half-brother is actor and producer David Ladd. The officers on sight accepted his story, but many suspected that the actor made it all up. Carol's film career lasted from the late 1920s into the 1930s; when it ended, she became a talent agent. At age five, he burned his apartment playing with matches, and his mother moved them to Oklahoma City. He was reteamed with Lake for the final time in Saigon (1948), then made Whispering Smith (1948), his first Western since he became a star (and his first movie in color). The pressures of his career, and his extra fragile nature, took him down a path that was bound to have dire consequences. [17] However, he soon received a better offer from Paramount. When the paper changed hands, Ladd lost his job. Unluckily for him, although he escaped the army, he couldnt escape one of his greatest fears. Ladd was considered to play the lead in The Angry Hills, but Robert Mitchum eventually was cast. Although both parties enjoyed their time together, they werent exactly on the same page. Alcoholism had been a longtime battle, and now, he felt himself sinking into his dependency. Film crews had to build ramp systems, dig holes, and prepare mounds to adjust the disparity in height between Ladd and his co-stars. When Ladd returned from the army, Paramount announced a series of vehicles for him, including And Now Tomorrow[43] and Two Years Before the Mast. And it wasnt just his body that he did a bad job taking care of. [67] Before he made this film, he appeared in Red Mountain, produced by Hal Wallis. Three years later, he was promoted from worldwide production head to president of Fox's film division. [95][96][97] The second film under the contract was Island of Lost Women, which Ladd produced but did not appear in. He served as president of 20th Century Fox from 1976 to 1979, during which he approved the production of Star Wars. Please submit feedback to contribute@factinate.com. At age five, he burned his apartment playing with matches, and his mother moved them to Oklahoma City. Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 January 29, 1964) was an American actor and film producer. He created roles played both by himself, but also other actors, including the part of Rick Blaine in an adaptation of Casablanca. When Ladd went to the UK in the 1950s to star in a film, he had to tread very carefully. [5] Ladd married his second wife Cindra Pincock in 1985. Carol was also the stepmother of Alan Ladd, Jr. She was Alan Ladd's manager until his death. When Ladd returned to Hollywood in 1954, he formed Jaguar Productions, a new production company that released movies through Warner Bros. [38] The New York Times reported that "Ladd in the brief period of a year and with only four starring pictures to his credit had built up a following unmatched in film history since Rudolph Valentino skyrocketed to fame. "[70] The main studio Ladd was in discussion with was Warner Bros. Shortly after losing one of the most important women in his life, Ladd lost another. He trained his voice into becoming rich and deep and found much success in the medium. The Hollywood Reporter. [79] This led to Ladd's being voted one of the 10 most popular stars in the U.S. in 1953. [20], According to author David Thomson in 1975, "Once Ladd had acquired an unsmiling hardness, he was transformed from an extra to a phenomenon. He was 84. ), Paramount staggered the release of Ladd's final films for the company, with Shane and Botany Bay not being released until 1953. He never flirted nor even seemed interested (which is one of the reasons he and Lake were so effective together). "I'd produce. "[103] Ladd kept busy developing projects, some of which were vehicles for his son, David. Alan Walbridge Ladd Jr. (October 22, 1937 - March 2, 2022) was an American film industry executive and producer. They not only suspended him, but they also replaced him on the film he was shooting. In July 1929, Carol became engaged to actor Nick Stuart, and the couple married that November. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. They remained married until his death. Alan Walbridge Ladd was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the only child of Ina Raleigh (aka Selina Rowley) and Alan Harwood Ladd, a freelance accountant. They intended to be remarried in the U.S. in July because Ladd's divorce from his first wife was not final. "[127] To compensate for Ladd's height, during the filming of Boy on a Dolphin, co-starring the 5ft 8in (173cm) Sophia Loren, the cinematographer used special low stands to light Ladd and the crew built a ramp system of heavy planks to enable the two actors to stand at equal eye level. [124], Reports of Ladd's height vary from 5ft 5in (165cm) to 5ft 9in (175cm), with 5ft 6in (168cm) being cited most often in unofficial sources. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. [101] That did not go to series; neither did The Third Platoon, another pilot Ladd produced for Paramount, written by a young Aaron Spelling where Ladd only did a voiceover. [9][109][110] At the time, Ladd said he thought he heard a prowler, grabbed a gun, and tripped over, accidentally shooting himself. Hitmen, gangsters, and gunslingersLadd made bad guys sexy. When officers came upon this gory sight, they feared the worst. Alan Walbridge Ladd Jr. was an American film executive and producer who lived from October 22, 1937, until March 2, 2022. He also announced plans to turn Box 13 into a feature-film script, and was hoping for cameos from old friends, such as Veronica Lake and William Bendix. But while filming a particular film in 1942, The Glass Key, one fight scene got a little too real. [citation needed], Among the movies in which she appeared are Fox Movietone Follies of 1929 and Girls Gone Wild (both 1929). He opened a hamburger stand called Tiny's Patio, and later worked as a grip at Warner Brothers Pictures. [32], Ladd briefly served in the U.S. Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit. His father died of a heart attack when Ladd was four. It premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in April 1953,[77] grossing over $114,000 in its four weeks there (a large sum at the time),[78] and earning $8million in North America over its initial run. (All of Ladd's fellow "discoveries" eventually were dropped, including a young Tyrone Power.)[9][10]. Alan Walbridge Ladd was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the only child of Ina Raleigh (aka Selina Rowley) and Alan Harwood Ladd, a freelance accountant. James Dean. His most famous quote was I have the face of an aging choirboy and the build of an undernourished featherweight. He was almost always injured or suffering from some kind of disease. She purchased some arsenic-based ant paste from a grocer and died by suicide by drinking it in the back seat of Ladd's car. Ladds life and rise to stardom gave birth to one of the most prominent families in showbiz. He was 5 ft 6 in, which was considered too short for an actor. In October of the same year of his draft, the army deemed Ladd unfit for service due to stomach and digestive issues. Who is Cheryl Ladd's wife? In the movie, Smith becomes popular for portraying cowboys in westerns. [12], Ladd managed to save and borrow enough money to attend an acting school run by Ben Bard, who had taught him when he was under contract at Universal. In the 1940s, Alan Ladd became one of the most prominent names in Hollywood. He was meant to return to Paramount to make The Sons of Katie Elder, but he bought himself out of his Paramount contract for $135,000;[90][91] the film was made a decade later, with John Wayne and Dean Martin, and was a big hit. Ladds last role was Nevada Smith in the 1964 film The Carpetbaggers. Ladd was extremely touched by his sincerity, and an unlikely friendship formed. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. However, he didnt turn his back on the entertainment industry entirely. He married his friend Midge in 1936, but couldn't afford her, so they lived apart. Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? Thanks for your time! Alan Ladd was previously married to Sue Carol (1942 - 1964) and Marjorie Jane Harrold (1936 - 1941). For the future actor, this event marked the first tragedy in a life full of struggle and uncertainty. In a 1961 interview, Ladd was asked, "What would you change about yourself if you could?" Cindra Ladd, wife of prominent Hollywood producer Alan Ladd Jr., penned an essay for Huffington Post today detailing her allegations. The only problem was, most leading ladies towered over him. [89] However, despite Ladd's presence, a series did not result. The man was a certified hot mess. His wife and agent, Sue Carol, negotiated a contract for three pictures with Albert R. Broccoli's recently formed Warwick Films on condition that Ladd's personal screenwriter Richard Maibaum co-write the films. Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California, "Sue Carol Ladd, Ex-Actress And Widow of Alan Ladd, 72", Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sue_Carol&oldid=1147852308, American people of Austrian-Jewish descent, Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 2 April 2023, at 16:04. This film had been planned since 1946, but production was delayed due to a combination of difficulties with the censor, and Paramount's reluctance for Ladd to play such a challenging part. Putting the romantic awkwardness aside, Ladd tried to focus on what he liked bestaction scenes. After that, the roles just kept coming. Alana died on November 23, 2014. Ladd always felt that he was standing on shaky ground. Most of all, they believed that the accident had been a failed attempt on his own life. He produced a pilot for a TV series, starring William Bendix, called Ivy League. Ladds path to stardom was anything but smooth sailing. Tragedy struck the Ladd household early on. To deal with this apprehension, Ladd adopted an interesting strategy. . His acting teacher said he was too quiet and that his voice was too high. [130], In January 1964, after injuring his knees,[clarification needed] Ladd hoped to recuperate at his house in Palm Springs. Not only did he have to close his eyes to be able to do the demonstration, but it also took him 116 takes! The majority of stars were earmarked as such when they appeared on the horizonfrom Broadway or from wherever they came; if it seemed unlikely that public acceptance would come with one film they were trained and built up: The incubation period was usually between two and five years. Still, as bolstering as this success was, Ladds personal life was a total mess. Paramount commissioned Raymond Chandler to write an original screenplay for him titled The Blue Dahlia, made relatively quickly in case the studio lost Ladd to the military once again. But this wasnt an isolated incident. Ladd's instincts for choosing material was proving increasingly poor: George Stevens offered him the role of Jett Rink in Giant (1956), which he turned down because it was not the lead; James Dean took the part, and the film became one of the big hits of the decade. [88] The first of these, "Committed", was based on an old episode of Box 13, which Ladd was considering turning into a TV series. [1] He was posted to the Walla Walla Army Air Base at Walla Walla, Washington, attaining the rank of corporal. Back in Hollywood, he made 13 West Street, as a star and producer, for Ladd Enterprises. He was often paired with Veronica Lake in films noir, such as This Gun for Hire (1942), The Glass Key (1942), and The Blue Dahlia (1946). Paramount started promoting Ladd replacements, such as Sonny Tufts and Barry Sullivan. This harrowing loss cultivated a trauma that Ladd would never be able to shake. The couple relocated to the North Hollywood locality of California. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. Ladds physical appearance, no doubt, made establishing himself in the film industry difficult. He'd say "I love you", and he'd be looking out there some place. [6] After being unceremoniously dismissed by Credit Lyonnais (who administered MGM after a loan default),[6] he proceeded to reform the Ladd Company with Paramount Pictures in 1993. Incensed by the circumstances which led to the . In fact, his New York Times obituary read, That the old fashioned motion picture gangster with his ugly face, gaudy cars and flashy clothes was replaced by a smoother, better looking and better dressed bad man was largely the work of Mr. Ladd. The 1940s were truly Ladds peak as an actor, that is, until WWII came knocking. But the reason why these two were often partnered together wasrather peculiar. In fact, it was so popular that a prequel about Nevada Smith, who was played by Ladd, was announced shortly after. "Para. [28] According to critic David Shipman: Paramount of course was delighted. Alan Walbridge Ladd Jr. (October 22, 1937 March 2, 2022) was an American film industry executive and producer. In 1937, she got into another relationship that ended with a bad breakup. Associated Press. Alan Ladd Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Wiki, Family 2023. The wife of film producer Alan Ladd Jr., Cindra Ladd, has joined the long list of women accusing Bill Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting them. Oscar-winning producer and influential motion picture executive Alan Ladd Jr., who ushered in the "Star Wars" era of motion pictures, died Wednesday. He subsequently joined Creative Management Associates as an agent in 1963 and worked under Freddie Fields. [114], Ladd married Marjorie Jane "Midge" Harrold, a high school sweetheart, in October 1936. [5], Ladd died of kidney failure at his home in Los Angeles on March 2, 2022, at the age of 84. Ladd found success in film in the 1940s and early 1950s, particularly in films noir and Westerns. In 1998, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to her.[7]. Who Is Alan Ladd's Wife? [54][55] The two parties reconciled in November with Ladd's getting a salary increase to $75,000 per film, but without story approval or the right to do outside films, which he had wanted. Father of Alana Ladd and David Ladd with second wife, Sue Carol. Alas, during practice, Ladd suffered a head injury that knocked the ambition out of him and he quit the sport. [35], While Ladd was in the armed services, a number of films that had been announced for him were postponed and/or made with different actors, including Incendiary Blonde, The Story of Dr. Wassell, Ministry of Fear, and The Man in Half Moon Street. The rejection of this idea stemmed from Britains disdain for the widely accepted American belief that Americans had single-handedly won the conflict. I don't think Alan Ladd ever came to terms with himself. During his tenure, MGM/UA produced Moonstruck (1987), A Fish Called Wanda (1988), and Thelma & Louise (1991).