ROTTEN TOMATOES: Actor Glenn Ford Dead at 90

Actor Glenn Ford Dead at 90

by Scott Weinberg | August 31, 2006

People of my generation (and younger) most likely remember the widely-admired Glenn Ford as "the actor who played Pa Kent" in Richard Donner's classic "Superman" movie. Well, he was a whole lot more than that...

From the AP Newswire: "BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Actor Glenn Ford, who played strong, thoughtful protagonists in films such as "The Blackboard Jungle,""Gilda" and "The Big Heat," died Wednesday, police said. He was 90.

Failing health forced him to skip a 90th birthday tribute on May 1 at Hollywood's historic Grauman's Egyptian Theatre. But he did send greetings via videotape, adding, "I wish I were up and around, but I'm doing the best that I can.... There's so much I have to be grateful for."

At the event, Shirley Jones, who co-starred with him in the comedy "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," called Ford "one of the cornerstones of our industry, and there aren't many left."

Ford appeared in scores of films during his 53-year Hollywood career. The Film Encyclopedia, a reference book, lists 85 films from 1939 to 1991.

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(My favorite Glenn Ford performances, in addition to several mentioned above, are "3:10 to Yuma," "Experiment in Terror," and "The Violent Men.")

Related Items

Movie:	3:10 to Yuma
	The Big Heat
	Blackboard Jungle
	Experiment in Terror
	Gilda
	The Courtship of Eddie's Father
	The Violent Men
Celeb:	Glenn Ford
	Shirley Jones

(1-6 of 6 posts) | Reply

GRD writes:
on Aug 31 2006 07:13 AM

[b]R.I.P.[/b]
He was one of the greats.

(Reply to this)

dracus writes:
on Aug 31 2006 08:18 AM

Definitely one of the finest and most underrated actors of the 20th century.

(Reply to this)

markryant writes:
on Aug 31 2006 06:09 PM

Mr. Ford was a very versatile actor: film noir (Gilda, The Big Heat, Human Desire), westerns (Cowboy, Texas, The Man from Colorado, Jubal, 3:10 to Yuma, The Sheepman), drama (Trial, Blackboard Jungle, A Stolen Life, Dear Heart), adventure (The White Tower, Appointment in Honduras, The Americano), suspense (Ransom, Experiment in Terror, Fate is the Hunter) and comedy (A Pocketful of Miracles, Teahouse of the August Moon, Don't Go Near the Water). I agree with dracus. Glenn Ford was very underrated.

(Reply to this)

vader_of_vjun writes:
on Sep 01 2006 12:13 AM

Quite a good actor. I haven't seen enough of his work though.

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SuperScarface writes:
on Sep 01 2006 01:44 AM

Only 4 posts? For shame!

A great actor and one of my favorites... I am going to miss him.

R.I.P.

(Reply to this)

Mr. K writes:
on Sep 01 2006 03:14 PM

[b]Best death scene... ever[/b]
Mr. Ford's final moments in 1978's SUPERMAN- THE MOVIE is, in my opinion, the best death scene put to film. It was not overdramatic or laden over with quick cuts and panicked close-ups. Just a few simple shots of him realizing his heart attack. "Oh no.", and the collapse. Like Mr. Ford, such a simple piece of work, but so very effective and heartwrenching.

See you on the other side, sir.

(Reply to this)