Western actor Stuart Whitman, who is best known for co-starring with John Wayne in the 1961 movie The Comancheros, dies at age 92
Hollywood star Stuart Whitman, who is best known for his numerous Western movies, has died at the age of 92.
The actor passed away on Monday with family around him at his Montecito, California home after complications from skin cancer, a friend of the family told TMZ.
The star worked steadily throughout his career racking up over 90 credits in such hits as 1961’s The Comancheros and 1962’s The Longest Day.
Lasting appeal: Hollywood star Stuart Whitman, who is best known for his numerous Western movies, has died at the age of 92. Seen in 1967 in Cimarron Strip
‘Old Hollywood lost another one of its true stars,’ his son Justin told the site.
‘Stuart Whitman was known for his rugged roles and handsome charm. We were proud of him for his tv, film roles and his Oscar nomination, but what we will really remember is his exuberant love of his family and friends.’
He earned an Academy Award nomination for his leading role of a child molester in The Mark (1961).
Stuart was born in San Francisco in 1928 but attended high school in Los Angeles then went into the Army Corps of Engineers for three years.
Still dapper: Here he is seen during the 5th Annual DGA Honors – Arrivals at Waldorf Astoria in New York City in 2004
when attending Los Angeles City College he became interested in acting and oved on to the Los Angeles Academy of Dramatic Art.
His first role was in 1951’s When Worlds Collide and next came a part on the Tv series Boston Blackie.
In 1953 he landed his first big role in a movie, The All American.
One of his better roles: Whitman (center) and Simone Signoret are questioned by the police after being arrested in a scene from the film The Day And The Hour, 1963
Next came spots on TV series like Gunsmoke and Highway Patrol until he became more famous with 1957’s Johnny Trouble.,
The 1960s were better for him – in 1961 he starred in The Comancheros then was seen in 1962’s The Longest Day and 1964’s Rio Conchos.
From 1967 until 1968 he starred on Cimarron Strip.
he worked consistently for years as he made appearances in The Streets of San Francisco, The FBI, Police Story, SWAT, and The Last Convertible.
In the late 1980s he popped up on hit shows like Fantasy Island, The A-Team and Knight Rider.
His last project was the TV movie The President’s Man in 2000 with Chuck Norris.
Stuart reportedly was clever with his paychecks as he had amassed a fortune of $100M.
Not only was his movie career but was so was his personal life. He had four wives: Julia Vadimovna Paradiz (m. 1993), Caroline Boubis (m. 1966–1974) and Patricia LaLonde (m. 1952–1966).
Has four children: Tony Whitman (born 1953), Michael Whitman (born 1954), Linda Whitman (born 1956) and Scott Whitman (born 1958).