Brad Dexter: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American actor (1917–2002)}} |
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{{for|the ice hockey player|Brad Dexter (ice hockey)}} |
{{for|the ice hockey player|Brad Dexter (ice hockey)}} |
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{{Use American English|date=September 2021}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| name = Brad Dexter |
| name = Brad Dexter |
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| image = Brad Dexter. |
| image = Brad Dexter in Heldorado (cropped).jpg |
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| caption |
| caption = Dexter in ''[[Heldorado]]'' (1946) |
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| birthname = |
| birthname = Boris Michel Soso |
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| birth_date = {{birth date|1917|04|09}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date|1917|04|09}} |
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| birth_place = [[Goldfield, Nevada]], U.S. |
| birth_place = [[Goldfield, Nevada]], U.S. |
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| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|12|12|1917|04|09}} |
| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|12|12|1917|04|09}} |
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| death_place = [[Rancho Mirage, California]], U.S. |
| death_place = [[Rancho Mirage, California]], U.S. |
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| resting_place = [[Desert Memorial Park]], [[Cathedral City, California]], U.S. |
| resting_place = [[Desert Memorial Park]], [[Cathedral City, California]], U.S. |
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| other_names = |
| other_names = Boris Milanovich<br>Boris Mitchell Soso<br>Barry Mitchell |
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| occupation = Actor, producer |
| occupation = Actor, producer |
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| |
| years_active = 1944–1988 |
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| spouse = {{marriage|[[Peggy Lee]]<br>|1953|1953|end=div}} |
| spouse = {{plainlist| |
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* {{marriage|[[Peggy Lee]]<br>|1953|1953|end=div}} |
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* {{marriage|Mary Bogdanovich<br>|1971|1994|end=died}} |
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* {{marriage|June Dyer<br>|1994}} |
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}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Brad Dexter''' (born ''' |
'''Brad Dexter''' (born '''Boris Michel Soso''';<ref name="ancestrylibrary.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/interactive/6224/4531798_00328?pid=114066176&backurl=https://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=1930usfedcen&indiv=try&h=114066176&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true|title=Ancestry Library Edition|website=www.ancestrylibrary.com|access-date=5 October 2018}}</ref> April 9, 1917 – December 12, 2002) was an American actor and film producer. He is known for tough-guy and western roles, including the 1960 film ''[[The Magnificent Seven]]'' (1960), and producing several films for [[Sidney J. Furie]] such as ''[[Lady Sings the Blues (film)|Lady Sings the Blues]]''. He is also known for a short marriage to [[Peggy Lee]], a friendship with [[Marilyn Monroe]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/dec/23/guardianobituaries.film|title=Obituary: Brad Dexter|first=Ronald|last=Bergan|date=December 23, 2002|website=the Guardian}}</ref> and for saving [[Frank Sinatra]] from drowning. Dexter's tough-guy roles contrasted with his easygoing and friendly real-life personality.<ref name=cockney>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-dec-14-me-dexter14-story.html|title=Brad Dexter, 85; Sinatra Pal Often Played Villains|first=Mary|last=Rourke|date=December 14, 2002|newspaper=LA Times}}</ref> |
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== |
==Early life== |
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⚫ | Dexter was born in [[Goldfield, Nevada]], the second of three sons born to Marko and Ljubica Šošo (later known as Marko and Violet Soso), [[Serbs|ethnic Serb]] immigrants from [[Bosnia-Herzegovina]]. [[Serbian language|Serbian]] was Dexter's first language.<ref>{{cite news|title=Brad Dexter, 85; Sinatra Pal Often Played Villains|newspaper=LA Times|date=December 14, 2002 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-dec-14-me-dexter14-story.html}}</ref><ref name="soso">[http://nsla.nv.gov/Archives/Myths/So_Who_was_Actor_Brad_Dexter_Anyway_ "Myth #93: So Who Was Actor Brad Dexter Anyway? by Guy Rocha, Former Nevada State Archivist"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216090504/http://nsla.nv.gov/Archives/Myths/So_Who_was_Actor_Brad_Dexter_Anyway_ |date=2016-12-16 }}, nsla.nv.gov (PDF); accessed October 9, 2016.</ref> |
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===Early life=== |
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⚫ | Dexter was born in [[Goldfield, Nevada]] |
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The family soon |
The family soon relocated to [[Los Angeles]], where he attended [[Belmont High School (Los Angeles)|Belmont High School]]. Tall, burly and handsome with bright blue eyes, Dexter was usually given supporting roles as a rugged character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/scena.147.html:518907-Kauboj-Djordje---heroj-filma-pre-100-godina|title=Kauboj Đorđe - heroj filma pre 100 godina|date=November 11, 2014|publisher=novosti.rs|access-date=January 21, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yugopapir.com/2014/10/kako-je-veljko-soso-postao-holivudska.html|title=Kako je Veljko Šošo postao holivudska zvezda Brad Dexter|publisher=yugopapir.com|access-date=January 21, 2017}}</ref> After a stint as an amateur boxer, Dexter attended the [[Pasadena Playhouse]], where he studied acting. He had a small role in ''[[The Mortal Storm]]'' (1940). During [[World War II]], he enlisted in the [[United States Army Air Forces|U.S. Army Air Corps]], where he met and befriended [[Karl Malden]], a fellow Serbian-American, and appeared uncredited in the Corps play and [[Winged Victory (film)|film]] ''[[Winged Victory (play)|Winged Victory]]'' (1944). |
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==Acting career== |
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After a stint as an amateur boxer, Dexter attended the [[Pasadena Playhouse]], where he studied acting. He had a small role in ''[[The Mortal Storm]]'' (1940). During [[World War II]] he enlisted for military service with the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]], where he met and befriended [[Karl Malden]], a fellow Serbian-American, and appeared uncredited in the Corps play and [[Winged Victory (film)|film]] ''[[Winged Victory (play)|Winged Victory]]'' (1944). |
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⚫ | After the war, Dexter had a role in ''[[Heldorado]]'' (1946), a [[Roy Rogers]] western, as "Barry Mitchell". He was also credited under this name in ''[[Sinbad the Sailor (1947 film)|Sinbad the Sailor]]'' (1947). He appeared on Broadway in ''Magnolia Alley'' (1949).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/brad-dexter-476033|title=Brad Dexter – Broadway Cast & Staff|first=The Broadway|last=League|website=IBDb.com}}</ref> |
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⚫ | He changed his name to Brad Dexter, playing a villainous detective in ''[[The Asphalt Jungle]]'' (1950) and landing a role in ''[[Fourteen Hours]]'' (1951). Dexter's breakthrough role was as a villain in RKO's ''[[The Las Vegas Story (film)|The Las Vegas Story]]'' (1951), starring [[Victor Mature]] and [[Jane Russell]]. RKO cast him in a similar part in ''[[Macao (film)|Macao]]'' (1952), also with Russell. RKO signed him to a contract. |
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===Barry Mitchell=== |
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⚫ | After the war, Dexter had a role in ''[[Heldorado]]'' (1946), a [[Roy Rogers]] western, as "Barry Mitchell". He |
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⚫ | Dexter played a villain in ''[[99 River Street]]'' (1953). He then signed a contract with [[20th Century Fox]], appearing in ''[[Untamed (1955 film)|Untamed]]'' (1955), ''[[Violent Saturday]]'' (1955) for director [[Richard Fleischer]], ''[[House of Bamboo]]'' (1955) for director [[Samuel Fuller]], ''[[The Bottom of the Bottle]]'' (1956), and ''[[Between Heaven and Hell (film)|Between Heaven and Hell]]'' (1956) again with Fleischer. |
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===Brad Dexter=== |
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⚫ | He |
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Dexter played a villain in ''[[The Oklahoman (film)|The Oklahoman]]'' (1957), produced by [[Walter Mirisch]], and also appeared in ''[[Run Silent, Run Deep (1958 film)|Run Silent Run Deep]]'' (1958), again as a villain. |
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⚫ | |||
===First TV work=== |
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⚫ | Dexter |
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⚫ | Dexter then shifted largely into television, appearing in episodes of ''[[Climax!]]'', ''[[The Gale Storm Show]]'', ''[[How to Marry a Millionaire (TV series)|How to Marry a Millionaire]]'', ''[[Pursuit (TV series)|Pursuit]]'', ''[[Studio One in Hollywood]]'', ''[[Wagon Train]]'', ''[[Bat Masterson (TV series)|Bat Masterson]]'', ''[[Have Gun – Will Travel]]'', ''[[Zane Grey Theatre]]'', ''[[Behind Closed Doors (1958 TV series)|Behind Closed Doors]]'', ''[[Cimarron City (TV series)|Cimarron City]]'', ''[[Yancy Derringer]]'', ''[[This Man Dawson]]'', ''[[77 Sunset Strip]]'', ''[[Colt .45 (TV series)|Colt 45]]'', ''[[The Man from Blackhawk]]'', ''[[Tightrope (TV series)|Tightrope]]'', ''[[Mr. Lucky (TV series)|Mr. Lucky]]'', ''[[Bat Masterson (TV series)|Bat Masterton]]'', and ''[[Wanted Dead or Alive (TV series)|Wanted: Dead or Alive]]'', starring [[Steve McQueen]]. |
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===Further film work=== |
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⚫ | Dexter |
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⚫ | |||
He was then cast as a gunslinger in ''[[The Magnificent Seven]]'' (1960), directed by [[John Sturges]] for [[Walter Mirisch]]'s production firm The Mirisch Company. Both Sturges and Mirisch had worked with Dexter before. He was praised for his work, and it became his best-known role and most famous film. <ref>, [https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/dec/23/guardianobituaries.film Obituary], ''The Guardian'', [[Ronald Bergan]], December 23, 2002; accessed May 1, 2012.</ref> |
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=== Return to television === |
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===''The Magnificent Seven''=== |
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⚫ | The success of ''The Magnificent Seven'' did not immediately benefit Dexter's career: he returned to television, guest starring in ''[[The Aquanauts]]'', ''[[Hawaiian Eye]]'', ''[[General Electric Theatre]]'', ''[[Tales of Wells Fargo]]'', ''[[Surfside 6]]'', ''[[The Investigators (1961 TV series)|The Investigators]]'', and ''[[Alcoa Premiere]]''. He could be seen in ''[[It Started in Tokyo]]'' (1961), ''[[The George Raft Story]]'' (1961) (playing [[Bugsy Siegel]]), ''[[X-15 (film)|X-15]]'' (1962) with [[Charles Bronson]] and ''[[Johnny Cool]]'' (1963). Dexter supported [[Yul Brynner]] again in ''[[Taras Bulba (1962 film)|Taras Bulba]]'' (1962), ''[[Kings of the Sun]]'' (1963) (from the producers of ''Magnificent Seven''), and ''[[Invitation to a Gunfighter]]'' (1964). |
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Dexter was then cast as a gunslinger in ''[[The Magnificent Seven]]'' (1960), directed by John Sturges, and made for Walter Mirisch, both of whom had worked with Dexter before. It became his best known role and most famous film. Characterizing him as a "tough guy at his best in ''[[The Magnificent Seven]]''", Dexter's obituary in ''The Guardian'' singled out his portrayal of Harry Luck and claimed he was "overshadowed" by his contemporaries:<blockquote>A question that comes up regularly in film trivia quizzes is to name the magnificent seven, of the 1960 [[John Sturges]] western. Easy to start with: [[Yul Brynner]], [[Steve McQueen]], [[James Coburn]], [[Charles Bronson]], [[Robert Vaughn]], and [[Horst Buchholz]]. But if Brad Dexter... is usually the last to be mentioned, it is mainly because of the fame of the others; actually, he was rather good as the most mercenary of the [[septet]]. ... the cool and taciturn Harry Luck....<ref>Ronald Bergan, [https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/dec/23/guardianobituaries.film Obituary], ''The Guardian''], December 23, 2002; accessed May 1, 2012.</ref></blockquote> |
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In 1963, Dexter was cast as [[California Supreme Court]] Justice [[David S. Terry]] in "A Gun Is Not a Gentleman" on the [[Television syndication|syndicated]] [[anthology series]], ''[[Death Valley Days]]'', hosted by [[Stanley Andrews]]. [[Carroll O'Connor]] portrayed [[U.S. Senator]] [[David C. Broderick]] of California, who was mortally wounded by Justice Terry in an 1859 duel. Though past allies in the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], Terry, a [[slavery]] advocate, challenged the anti-slavery Broderick. |
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⚫ | The |
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===Frank Sinatra=== |
=== Work with Frank Sinatra === |
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Dexter's friendship with [[Frank Sinatra]] began when Dexter |
Dexter's friendship with [[Frank Sinatra]] began when Dexter helped save Sinatra from drowning on May 10, 1964, during production of the World War II film ''[[None but the Brave]]'' (1965) on the island of [[Kauai|Kauai, Hawaii]]. Sinatra and Ruth Koch, the wife of producer [[Howard W. Koch|Howard Koch]], were swimming when they were swept out to sea by the outgoing tide and nearly drowned. Sinatra's co-star Dexter and two surfers swam out and rescued them. Dexter was later awarded a [[Red Cross]] medal for his bravery. Grateful, Sinatra made him vice president of Sinatra Enterprises.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2002/scene/people-news/brad-dexter-1117877541/ |title=Brad Dexter: Thesp and confidant of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra |date=December 16, 2002 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> |
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After Dexter appeared in ''[[Bus Riley's Back in Town]]'' (1965), he made another with Sinatra, ''[[Von Ryan's Express]]'' (1965). |
After Dexter appeared in ''[[Bus Riley's Back in Town]]'' (1965), he made another film with Sinatra, ''[[Von Ryan's Express]]'' (1965). That year, Dexter complained that acting made him "frustrated as hell. As an actor you don't have control over the medium you're in... you have no control over your destiny." |
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⚫ | Dexter produced ''[[The Naked Runner]]'' (1967), which starred Sinatra and was filmed in London. Dexter and director [[Sidney J. Furie]] clashed with Sinatra over the latter's unwillingness to finish the film, and, after it was completed, Dexter resigned. "I was the only guy who dropped Sinatra ... I couldn't put up with his nonsense", Dexter said at the time.{{cn|date=March 2024}} Publicly, Dexter denied any falling out with Sinatra. He claimed to have left Sinatra's company to make a film with Furie based on the [[Sam Sheppard]] case. |
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===Sidney J. Furie and Producing=== |
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⚫ | Dexter produced ''[[The Naked Runner]]'' (1967), which starred Sinatra and was filmed in London. |
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The project eventually became ''[[The Lawyer (film)|The Lawyer]]'' (1970) starring [[Barry Newman]] as [[Petrocelli]]. He produced two more films for Furie: ''[[Little Fauss and Big Halsy]]'' (1970) starring [[Robert Redford]], and ''[[Lady Sings the Blues (film)|Lady Sings the Blues]]'' (1972) starring [[Diana Ross]] as [[Billie Holiday]]. |
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===Later |
===Later work=== |
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Dexter returned to acting with roles in ''[[Jory (film)|Jory]]'' (1973), ''[[Shampoo (film)|Shampoo]]'' (1975), ''[[Vigilante Force]]'' (1976), ''[[The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover]]'' (1977), ''[[House Calls (1978 film)|House Calls]]'' (1978) and ''[[Winter Kills (film)|Winter Kills]]'' (1979), and guest parts on ''[[McCloud (TV series)|McCloud]]'', ''[[Kojak]]'', ''[[S.W.A.T. (1975 TV series)|S.W.A.T.]]'', ''[[Project U.F.O.]]'', and ''[[The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]''. Dexter produced the TV series ''[[Skag]]'' (1980) starring [[Karl Malden]]. His last role was in ''[[Cognac (film)|Cognac]]'' (1988). |
Dexter returned to acting with roles in ''[[Jory (film)|Jory]]'' (1973), ''[[Shampoo (film)|Shampoo]]'' (1975), ''[[Vigilante Force]]'' (1976), ''[[The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover]]'' (1977), ''[[House Calls (1978 film)|House Calls]]'' (1978) and ''[[Winter Kills (film)|Winter Kills]]'' (1979), and guest parts on ''[[McCloud (TV series)|McCloud]]'', ''[[Kojak]]'', ''[[S.W.A.T. (1975 TV series)|S.W.A.T.]]'', ''[[Project U.F.O.]]'', and ''[[The Incredible Hulk (1978 TV series)|The Incredible Hulk]]''. Dexter produced the TV series ''[[Skag]]'' (1980) starring [[Karl Malden]]. His last role was in ''[[Cognac (film)|Cognac]]'' (1988). |
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==Personal life== |
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⚫ | Dexter married singer [[Peggy Lee]] January 1953; the couple divorced that November.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/brad-dexter-611086.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104222558/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/brad-dexter-611086.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 4, 2010|title=Brad Dexter obituary|first=Tom|last=Vallance|date=December 16, 2002|newspaper=The Independent|location=London, UK|access-date=April 4, 2010}}</ref> |
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⚫ | He was married to |
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==Death== |
==Death== |
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Dexter died in [[Rancho Mirage, California]], from [[emphysema]], on December 11, 2002, at age 85, and is interred at [[Desert Memorial Park]].<ref> |
Dexter died in [[Rancho Mirage, California]], from [[emphysema]], on December 11, 2002, at age 85, and is interred at [[Desert Memorial Park]].<ref>Wilson, Scott. ''Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons'', 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.</ref> |
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==Filmography== |
==Filmography== |
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*''[[13 Fighting Men]]'' (1960) as Maj. Simon Boyd |
*''[[13 Fighting Men]]'' (1960) as Maj. Simon Boyd |
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*''[[The Magnificent Seven]]'' (1960) as Harry Luck |
*''[[The Magnificent Seven]]'' (1960) as Harry Luck |
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*''Twenty Plus Two'' (1961) as Leroy Dane |
*''[[Twenty Plus Two]]'' (1961) as Leroy Dane |
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*''[[The George Raft Story]]'' (1961) as Benny 'Bugsy' Siegal |
*''[[The George Raft Story]]'' (1961) as Benny 'Bugsy' Siegal |
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*''[[X-15 (film)|X-15]]'' (1961) as Maj. Anthony Rinaldi |
*''[[X-15 (film)|X-15]]'' (1961) as Maj. Anthony Rinaldi |
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*''[[Bus Riley's Back in Town]]'' (1965) as Slocum |
*''[[Bus Riley's Back in Town]]'' (1965) as Slocum |
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*''[[Von Ryan's Express]]'' (1965) as Sgt. Bostick |
*''[[Von Ryan's Express]]'' (1965) as Sgt. Bostick |
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*''[[Blindfold (film)|Blindfold]]'' ( |
*''[[Blindfold (1966 film)|Blindfold]]'' (1966) as Detective Harrigan |
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*''[[Jory (film)|Jory]]'' (1973) as Jack |
*''[[Jory (film)|Jory]]'' (1973) as Jack |
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*''[[Shampoo (film)|Shampoo]]'' (1975) as Senator East |
*''[[Shampoo (film)|Shampoo]]'' (1975) as Senator East |
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*''[[House Calls (1978 film)|House Calls]]'' (1978) as Quinn |
*''[[House Calls (1978 film)|House Calls]]'' (1978) as Quinn |
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*''[[Winter Kills (film)|Winter Kills]]'' (1979) as Captain Heller One |
*''[[Winter Kills (film)|Winter Kills]]'' (1979) as Captain Heller One |
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*''Tajna manastirske rakije'' (1988) as Veljko Pantovich (final |
*''Tajna manastirske rakije'' (1988) as Veljko Pantovich (final role) |
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{{ |
{{Div col end}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0223290/ Brad Dexter] at [[IMDB]] |
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{{Portal|Biography}} |
{{Portal|Biography}} |
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{{commons category|Brad Dexter}} |
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*{{IMDb name|0223290}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:1917 births]] |
[[Category:1917 births]] |
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[[Category:2002 deaths]] |
[[Category:2002 deaths]] |
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[[Category:20th-century American male actors]] |
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[[Category:Burials at Desert Memorial Park]] |
[[Category:Burials at Desert Memorial Park]] |
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[[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]] |
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[[Category:American male film actors]] |
[[Category:American male film actors]] |
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[[Category:American male television actors]] |
[[Category:American male television actors]] |
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[[Category:American people of |
[[Category:American people of Bosnia and Herzegovina descent]] |
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[[Category:Deaths from emphysema]] |
[[Category:Deaths from emphysema]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]] |
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[[Category:Male |
[[Category:Male Western (genre) film actors]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Military personnel from Nevada]] |
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[[Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II]] |
Latest revision as of 03:15, 14 August 2024
Brad Dexter | |
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Born | Boris Michel Soso April 9, 1917 Goldfield, Nevada, U.S. |
Died | December 12, 2002 | (aged 85)
Resting place | Desert Memorial Park, Cathedral City, California, U.S. |
Other names | Boris Milanovich Boris Mitchell Soso Barry Mitchell |
Occupation(s) | Actor, producer |
Years active | 1944–1988 |
Spouses | Mary Bogdanovich
(m. 1971; died 1994)June Dyer
(m. 1994) |
Brad Dexter (born Boris Michel Soso;[1] April 9, 1917 – December 12, 2002) was an American actor and film producer. He is known for tough-guy and western roles, including the 1960 film The Magnificent Seven (1960), and producing several films for Sidney J. Furie such as Lady Sings the Blues. He is also known for a short marriage to Peggy Lee, a friendship with Marilyn Monroe[2] and for saving Frank Sinatra from drowning. Dexter's tough-guy roles contrasted with his easygoing and friendly real-life personality.[3]
Early life
[edit]Dexter was born in Goldfield, Nevada, the second of three sons born to Marko and Ljubica Šošo (later known as Marko and Violet Soso), ethnic Serb immigrants from Bosnia-Herzegovina. Serbian was Dexter's first language.[4][5]
The family soon relocated to Los Angeles, where he attended Belmont High School. Tall, burly and handsome with bright blue eyes, Dexter was usually given supporting roles as a rugged character.[6][7] After a stint as an amateur boxer, Dexter attended the Pasadena Playhouse, where he studied acting. He had a small role in The Mortal Storm (1940). During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he met and befriended Karl Malden, a fellow Serbian-American, and appeared uncredited in the Corps play and film Winged Victory (1944).
Acting career
[edit]After the war, Dexter had a role in Heldorado (1946), a Roy Rogers western, as "Barry Mitchell". He was also credited under this name in Sinbad the Sailor (1947). He appeared on Broadway in Magnolia Alley (1949).[8]
He changed his name to Brad Dexter, playing a villainous detective in The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and landing a role in Fourteen Hours (1951). Dexter's breakthrough role was as a villain in RKO's The Las Vegas Story (1951), starring Victor Mature and Jane Russell. RKO cast him in a similar part in Macao (1952), also with Russell. RKO signed him to a contract.
Dexter played a villain in 99 River Street (1953). He then signed a contract with 20th Century Fox, appearing in Untamed (1955), Violent Saturday (1955) for director Richard Fleischer, House of Bamboo (1955) for director Samuel Fuller, The Bottom of the Bottle (1956), and Between Heaven and Hell (1956) again with Fleischer.
Dexter played a villain in The Oklahoman (1957), produced by Walter Mirisch, and also appeared in Run Silent Run Deep (1958), again as a villain.
First TV work
[edit]Dexter then shifted largely into television, appearing in episodes of Climax!, The Gale Storm Show, How to Marry a Millionaire, Pursuit, Studio One in Hollywood, Wagon Train, Bat Masterson, Have Gun – Will Travel, Zane Grey Theatre, Behind Closed Doors, Cimarron City, Yancy Derringer, This Man Dawson, 77 Sunset Strip, Colt 45, The Man from Blackhawk, Tightrope, Mr. Lucky, Bat Masterton, and Wanted: Dead or Alive, starring Steve McQueen.
Further film work
[edit]Even after embarking into television, Dexter still made the occasional feature film, such as Last Train from Gun Hill (1959), directed by John Sturges, and Vice Raid (1959), and was second billed in 13 Fighting Men (1960).
He was then cast as a gunslinger in The Magnificent Seven (1960), directed by John Sturges for Walter Mirisch's production firm The Mirisch Company. Both Sturges and Mirisch had worked with Dexter before. He was praised for his work, and it became his best-known role and most famous film. [9]
Return to television
[edit]The success of The Magnificent Seven did not immediately benefit Dexter's career: he returned to television, guest starring in The Aquanauts, Hawaiian Eye, General Electric Theatre, Tales of Wells Fargo, Surfside 6, The Investigators, and Alcoa Premiere. He could be seen in It Started in Tokyo (1961), The George Raft Story (1961) (playing Bugsy Siegel), X-15 (1962) with Charles Bronson and Johnny Cool (1963). Dexter supported Yul Brynner again in Taras Bulba (1962), Kings of the Sun (1963) (from the producers of Magnificent Seven), and Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964).
In 1963, Dexter was cast as California Supreme Court Justice David S. Terry in "A Gun Is Not a Gentleman" on the syndicated anthology series, Death Valley Days, hosted by Stanley Andrews. Carroll O'Connor portrayed U.S. Senator David C. Broderick of California, who was mortally wounded by Justice Terry in an 1859 duel. Though past allies in the Democratic Party, Terry, a slavery advocate, challenged the anti-slavery Broderick.
Work with Frank Sinatra
[edit]Dexter's friendship with Frank Sinatra began when Dexter helped save Sinatra from drowning on May 10, 1964, during production of the World War II film None but the Brave (1965) on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Sinatra and Ruth Koch, the wife of producer Howard Koch, were swimming when they were swept out to sea by the outgoing tide and nearly drowned. Sinatra's co-star Dexter and two surfers swam out and rescued them. Dexter was later awarded a Red Cross medal for his bravery. Grateful, Sinatra made him vice president of Sinatra Enterprises.[10]
After Dexter appeared in Bus Riley's Back in Town (1965), he made another film with Sinatra, Von Ryan's Express (1965). That year, Dexter complained that acting made him "frustrated as hell. As an actor you don't have control over the medium you're in... you have no control over your destiny."
Dexter produced The Naked Runner (1967), which starred Sinatra and was filmed in London. Dexter and director Sidney J. Furie clashed with Sinatra over the latter's unwillingness to finish the film, and, after it was completed, Dexter resigned. "I was the only guy who dropped Sinatra ... I couldn't put up with his nonsense", Dexter said at the time.[citation needed] Publicly, Dexter denied any falling out with Sinatra. He claimed to have left Sinatra's company to make a film with Furie based on the Sam Sheppard case.
The project eventually became The Lawyer (1970) starring Barry Newman as Petrocelli. He produced two more films for Furie: Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1970) starring Robert Redford, and Lady Sings the Blues (1972) starring Diana Ross as Billie Holiday.
Later work
[edit]Dexter returned to acting with roles in Jory (1973), Shampoo (1975), Vigilante Force (1976), The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover (1977), House Calls (1978) and Winter Kills (1979), and guest parts on McCloud, Kojak, S.W.A.T., Project U.F.O., and The Incredible Hulk. Dexter produced the TV series Skag (1980) starring Karl Malden. His last role was in Cognac (1988).
Personal life
[edit]Dexter married singer Peggy Lee January 1953; the couple divorced that November.[11]
He was married to StarKist tuna heiress Mary Bogdanovich from January 27, 1971, until her death on June 12, 1994. Later in 1994, he married June Deyer and remained with her until his death.[3]
Death
[edit]Dexter died in Rancho Mirage, California, from emphysema, on December 11, 2002, at age 85, and is interred at Desert Memorial Park.[12]
Filmography
[edit]- Winged Victory (1944) as Jack Browning (uncredited)
- Heldorado (1946) as Alec Baxter
- Sinbad the Sailor (1947) as Muallin
- The Asphalt Jungle (1950) as Bob Brannom
- Fourteen Hours (1951) as Reporter (uncredited)
- The Las Vegas Story (1952) as Tom Hubler
- Macao (1952) as Vincent Halloran
- 99 River Street (1953) as Victor Rawlins
- Untamed (1955) as Lt. Christian
- Violent Saturday (1955) as Gil Clayton
- House of Bamboo (1955) as Captain Hanson
- The Bottom of the Bottle (1956) as Stanley Miller
- Between Heaven and Hell (1956) as Lt. Joe 'Little Joe' Johnson
- The Oklahoman (1957) as Cass Dobie
- Run Silent, Run Deep (1958) as Ens. Gerald Cartwright
- Last Train from Gun Hill (1959) as Beero
- Vice Raid (1960) as Vince Malone
- 13 Fighting Men (1960) as Maj. Simon Boyd
- The Magnificent Seven (1960) as Harry Luck
- Twenty Plus Two (1961) as Leroy Dane
- The George Raft Story (1961) as Benny 'Bugsy' Siegal
- X-15 (1961) as Maj. Anthony Rinaldi
- Taras Bulba (1962) as Shilo
- Johnny Cool (1963) as Lennart Crandall
- Kings of the Sun (1963) as Ah Haleb
- Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964) as Kenarsie
- None but the Brave (1965) as Sgt. Bleeker
- Bus Riley's Back in Town (1965) as Slocum
- Von Ryan's Express (1965) as Sgt. Bostick
- Blindfold (1966) as Detective Harrigan
- Jory (1973) as Jack
- Shampoo (1975) as Senator East
- Vigilante Force (1976) as Mayor Bradford
- The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover (1977) as Alvin Karpis
- House Calls (1978) as Quinn
- Winter Kills (1979) as Captain Heller One
- Tajna manastirske rakije (1988) as Veljko Pantovich (final role)
References
[edit]- ^ "Ancestry Library Edition". www.ancestrylibrary.com. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
- ^ Bergan, Ronald (December 23, 2002). "Obituary: Brad Dexter". the Guardian.
- ^ a b Rourke, Mary (December 14, 2002). "Brad Dexter, 85; Sinatra Pal Often Played Villains". LA Times.
- ^ "Brad Dexter, 85; Sinatra Pal Often Played Villains". LA Times. December 14, 2002.
- ^ "Myth #93: So Who Was Actor Brad Dexter Anyway? by Guy Rocha, Former Nevada State Archivist" Archived 2016-12-16 at the Wayback Machine, nsla.nv.gov (PDF); accessed October 9, 2016.
- ^ "Kauboj Đorđe - heroj filma pre 100 godina". novosti.rs. November 11, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ "Kako je Veljko Šošo postao holivudska zvezda Brad Dexter". yugopapir.com. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ League, The Broadway. "Brad Dexter – Broadway Cast & Staff". IBDb.com.
- ^ , Obituary, The Guardian, Ronald Bergan, December 23, 2002; accessed May 1, 2012.
- ^ "Brad Dexter: Thesp and confidant of Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra". Variety. December 16, 2002.
- ^ Vallance, Tom (December 16, 2002). "Brad Dexter obituary". The Independent. London, UK. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
- ^ Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
External links
[edit]- Brad Dexter at IMDb
- 1917 births
- 2002 deaths
- 20th-century American male actors
- Burials at Desert Memorial Park
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American people of Bosnia and Herzegovina descent
- Deaths from emphysema
- Male actors from Los Angeles
- Male Western (genre) film actors
- Military personnel from Nevada
- United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II