Wendell Corey | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Corey in the trailer forThe Search (1948) | |
| Member of theSanta Monica City Council | |
| In office 1965–1968 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Wendell Reid Corey (1914-03-20)March 20, 1914 Dracut, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | November 8, 1968(1968-11-08) (aged 54) Woodland Hills, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
Wendell Reid Corey (March 20, 1914 – November 8, 1968) was an American stage, film, and television actor. He was President of theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a board member of theScreen Actors Guild, and also served on theSanta Monica City Council.
Corey was born inDracut, Massachusetts,[1] the son of Milton Rothwell Corey (October 24, 1879 – October 23, 1951) and Julia Etta McKenney (April 11, 1882 – June 16, 1947). His father was aCongregationalistclergyman and an actor who appeared inRawhide as Dr Tucker. Wendell was educated inSpringfield, Massachusetts. His ancestors included U.S. PresidentsJohn Adams andJohn Quincy Adams.[1]
After graduating from high school in Springfield, Corey sold washing machines and refrigerators at a Springfield department store, when he stopped by to see a friend who was acting at the Springfield Repertory Theater.
The group needed an actor to play the role of a Swedish janitor inStreet Scene. Corey took the role and stayed with the theater group for a year, working in the department store during the day and acting at night. Following that, he went into acting full-time with a theater group inHolyoke. He went on to serve a long apprenticeship in the theater, producing, directing and acting in hundreds of plays in summer stock.[2][3] Corey also was employed by theFederal Theatre Project.[4]
While appearing as the cynical newspaperman inElmer Rice's comedyDream Girl (1945), he was seen byproducerHal Wallis, who persuaded him to sign a contract withParamount and pursue amotion picture career inHollywood.[5] Corey's feature film debut came as a gangster in Wallis'sDesert Fury (1947) starringBurt Lancaster,John Hodiak,Lizabeth Scott, andMary Astor. In 1947 he appeared inThe Voice of the Turtle on stage withMargaret Sullavan in England.[6]
Wallis promoted him to co-star status inThe File on Thelma Jordon (1950) in which he appeared oppositeBarbara Stanwyck. Corey had a good part in Columbia'sNo Sad Songs for Me (1950) playing Margaret Sullavan's husband.[7] He co-starred withLana Turner inA Life of Her Own but pulled out after only a few days, claiming he was miscast. He was replaced byRay Milland.[8] Corey had one of his most memorable roles when he played Lt. Thomas Doyle inAlfred Hitchcock'sRear Window (1954) starringJames Stewart andGrace Kelly. He toured the US on stage inThe Caine Mutiny Court Martial in 1954.[9]
Corey portrayedLou Gehrig in "The Lou Gehrig Story" for the television seriesClimax! (1955). He was a series lead inHarbor Command (1957–1958), starring alongsideCasey Walters.[10]
Corey was President of theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1961 to 1963 and was a member of the board of directors of theScreen Actors Guild. ARepublican campaigner in national politics since 1956, Corey was elected to theSanta Monica City Council in April 1965.[11] Corey supportedBarry Goldwater in the1964 United States presidential election.[12]
Corey died on November 8, 1968, aged 54, at theMotion Picture & Television Hospital inWoodland Hills, California.[13] Initial reports stated the cause of death was liver disease; however, the likely cause wascirrhosis of the liver as Corey's alcoholism was well-known.[2][14] Funeral services were held at First Presbyterian Church inSanta Monica, California.,[15] and he was interred at North Becket Cemetery inBecket, Massachusetts.[16]
Wendell Corey has a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame, awarded for his work in TV, at 6328 Hollywood Boulevard inHollywood, Los Angeles.[17]
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| Year | Program | Episode/source |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Cavalcade of America | Away Boarders[18] |
| 1952 | Broadway Playhouse | The Big Clock[18] |
| 1953 | Theatre Guild on the Air | Kate Fennigate[19] |
| 1953 | Stars over Hollywood | Bus Driver's Holiday[20] |
| Non-profit organization positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | President of Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences 1961–1963 | Succeeded by |