Stuart Maxwell Whitman (born February 1, 1928)^[1] is an American actor.

Stuart Whitman is best-known for playing Marshal Jim Crown in the western television series Cimarron Strip in 1967. He also starred with John Wayne in the Western movie, The Comancheros, in 1961. Whitman enjoyed top-billing as the romantic lead in the extravagant aerial epic Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines in 1965.

Early Life

Born in San Francisco, he graduated from high school and spent three years in the Army Corps of Engineers. He became a boxer and was at one time a top light heavyweight contender. After leaving the army, he enrolled in Los Angeles City College and the Los Angeles Academy of Dramatic Art.

Celebrated Film Actor

He had a small part in When Worlds Collide (1951). Whitman performed minor roles in films like All American (1953), Brigadoon (1954), Ten North Frederick (1958) and The Sound and the Fury (1959). His first leading man role is in Murder, Inc. in 1960.

In 1961, Whitman was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a child molester in The Mark. He has since appeared in starring and supporting roles in many films, including Francis of Assisi, The Fiercest Heart, The Longest Day, The Comancheros (sharing leading man status with John Wayne), Convicts 4, The Day and the Hour, Signpost to Murder, Shock Treatment, Rio Conchos, Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, Sands of the Kalahari, An American Dream, The Last Escape, The Decks Ran Red, The Invincible Six, Night of the Lepus, Shatter, Tony Saitta, and Guyana: Crime of the Century.

Television

In 1957 Whitman was seriously considered for the role of "Bart Maverick" in the smash hit television series Maverick. The studio realized that they needed another Maverick to rotate as the series lead with James Garner, who had filmed seven episodes and closely resembled Whitman at the time, but Jack Kelly was chosen for the part. When Charlton Heston who had originally been signed to play the lead of Darby's Rangers (film) left the film, James Garner was given the lead and Whitman given Garner's role in the film.^[2]

Whitman had a memorable foray into television for a single season in 1967. He played the heroic Marshal Jim Crown in the lavish western series Cimarron Strip. The show, which ran 90 minutes per episode, was highly regarded for its thrilling theme music.

Later he performed the role of Clark Kent's father Jonathan Kent on the popular TV series Superboy. Whitman made over two hundred appearances in various movies and television shows over a half century span between 1951 and 2000.

References

1. ^ According to the State of California. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. At Ancestry.com
2. ^ Screen World 17 Mar 1961

• "Wife of Stuart Whitman Tells of Freedom Offer", Long Beach Press-Telegram, November 20, 1964, p. C9. 
• "Star Lambastes Film Magazines", Oakland Tribune, June 22, 1960, p. D29. 

External links

• Stuart Whitman at the Internet Movie Database

See Also

• Pat Whitman

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