Glenn Ford: A Life in Wisconsin Film

Glenn Ford: A Life (Wisconsin Film Studies)

by Peter Ford

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4167 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	360 pages

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Glenn Ford was one of the most popular and enduring stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. In a career that spanned more than four decades, he starred in over 100 films, including some of the most iconic films of the era, such as Gilda, The Blackboard Jungle, and 3:10 to Yuma. Ford was also a talented stage actor, and he appeared in several Broadway productions throughout his career.

Ford was born in Quebec, Canada, but he grew up in Wisconsin. He began his acting career in the early 1930s, and he quickly rose to stardom. In the 1940s and 1950s, he was one of the most popular actors in Hollywood. He starred in a wide variety of films, from westerns to comedies to dramas. In the 1960s and 1970s, Ford's career began to decline, but he continued to work steadily until his death in 2006.

Early Life and Career

Glenn Ford was born Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford on May 1, 1916, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. His father, Newton Ford, was a traveling salesman, and his mother, Hannah Wood, was a homemaker. Ford had two older sisters, Phyllis and Margaret. The family moved to Santa Monica, California, when Ford was a child. He attended Santa Monica High School, where he was a star athlete. After graduating from high school, Ford worked as a lifeguard and a truck driver.

In 1935, Ford was discovered by a talent scout and signed to a contract with Columbia Pictures. He made his film debut in the 1939 film Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence. Ford quickly rose to stardom, and he starred in a number of popular films in the 1940s, including Gilda, The Blackboard Jungle, and 3:10 to Yuma.

Personal Life

Ford was married four times. His first marriage was to actress Eleanor Powell in 1943. The couple divorced in 1959. Ford's second marriage was to actress Patricia Neal in 1958. The couple had a son, Peter, in 1960. Ford and Neal divorced in 1965. Ford's third marriage was to actress Kathryn Hays in 1966. The couple had a son, William, in 1969. Ford and Hays divorced in 1974. Ford's fourth marriage was to actress Cybill Shepherd in 1976. The couple divorced in 1980.

Ford was a private person, and he rarely spoke about his personal life. However, he did admit to having a gambling problem in the 1960s and 1970s. Ford eventually overcame his gambling addiction, and he became a successful businessman in his later years.

Later Career

Ford's career began to decline in the 1960s and 1970s. However, he continued to work steadily until his death in 2006. In the 1960s, Ford starred in a number of westerns, including The Last Challenge (1967) and Heaven with a Gun (1969). He also starred in a number of other films, including The Rounders (1965) and Fate Is the Hunter (1964).

In the 1970s, Ford starred in a number of made-for-television movies and miniseries. He also guest-starred on a number of television shows. In the 1980s, Ford starred in a few more films, including The Big Brawl (1980) and Superman (1978). He also guest-starred on a number of television shows, including The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.

Ford's final film role was in the 1991 film Eye of the Storm. He died on August 30, 2006, at the age of 90.

Legacy

Glenn Ford was one of the most popular and enduring stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. He starred in over 100 films, and he was a talented stage actor as well. Ford was a complex and fascinating man, and he lived a long and eventful life. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest actors of his generation.

References

1. Chris Foran, Glenn Ford: A Life in Wisconsin Film (Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2022).
2. Glenn Ford, Glenn Ford: A Personal History (New York: William Morrow and Company, 1988).
3. David Shipman, The Great Movie Stars: The Golden Years (London: Hamlyn, 1987).

Glenn Ford: A Life (Wisconsin Film Studies)

by Peter Ford

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4167 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	360 pages

FREE