I can’t imagine what it must have been like for Rory, growing up dirt poor during the Depression. Most days I’m sure he didn’t know where his next meal was coming from. But he had a fire in his belly, a refusal to let his circumstances define him. While other kids were horsing around, he busted his butt taking any job he could find just to survive. Hell, by 14 he was already living on his own! That tough upbringing forged his rugged, independent spirit.

When the Marines came calling, it was a chance for Rory to prove himself. And prove himself he did, serving his country with valor during WWII. But a man like him wasn’t meant to be idle. Acting captured his imagination, though I bet plenty laughed at the idea of an ex-jarhead finding fame in Hollywood! Undeterred, Rory worked twice as hard as anyone, memorizing other actors’ lines just to learn. Slowly but surely, he clawed his way from bit parts to the big screen.

By the 1950s, the nobody kid from LA had become a bonafide star. Everywhere you looked, Rory was kicking ass in Westerns and crime flicks. And audiences couldn’t get enough of that natural swagger and grit he brought to every role. At his peak, Forbes said he was worth $4 million – that’s like winning the jackpot! I can only imagine Rory’s grin, thinking of how far he’d come from nothing. He lived life to the fullest and inspired folks everywhere to chase their dreams, no matter where they started. That’s one tough son of a gun I’m happy to call a true original.

The Tough Beginnings That Shaped a Star

Rory Calhoun was born Francis Timothy McCown in Los Angeles on August 8, 1922. He came from humble beginnings, growing up in a working-class family during the Great Depression. Money was scarce and times were tough, experiences that would help shape Calhoun into the tough, gritty man and actor he would become.

As a youth, Calhoun left home at the age of 14 and took odd jobs to support himself, including working as a stable hand, bouncer, and merchant marine. The hard manual labor jobs built up his strong physical presence at an early age. With World War II looming, Calhoun enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1941. He served four years in the military police, seeing action in the Pacific theater. His time in the Marines honed his already tough persona and skills in hand-to-hand combat.

After the war concluded in 1945, Calhoun used the G.I. Bill studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse, one of the top drama schools in the nation at the time. Standing at a muscular 6′ 2″, with classically handsome movie star looks and an aura of toughness from his difficult upbringing and military service, Calhoun cut a striking presence. He soon started landing bit parts in films in the late 1940s.

From Bit Player to Leading Man: Calhoun’s Rise to Fame

Calhoun’s magnetic screen presence was evident even in his earliest bit roles. This led to bigger supporting parts and eventually, leading man status. One of his breakout performances came in the 1950 Western film Devil’s Doorway where he played an American Indian war hero returning to his tribe, showcasing his physical acting abilities.

He continued working steadily in Westerns and crime dramas throughout the 1950s. Box office hits like The Big Combo (1955) and The Tall T (1957) featuring Calhoun in his signature tough guy roles, helped elevate his status in Hollywood. By the late 1950s, Calhoun had developed a serious box office following as both a dramatic and action leading man, starring in popular films like The Left Handed Gun (1958) where he portrayed Billy the Kid.

As evidenced by the chart, Calhoun starred in multiple box office hits in the 1950s that cemented his status as both a talented actor and box office draw. These roles demonstrated the wide range of tough guys, lawmen, and outlaws he could portray effectively on the big screen.

The Secret to His Success? A Grit and Hustle

While Calhoun possessed an innate screen presence and talent, he also worked tirelessly to advance his career. He took any role offered in the early days, from bit parts to extras, simply for the acting experience and exposure. Calhoun was known to memorize all his co-star’s lines as well, so he’d be fully prepared when filming. This work ethic and drive served him well as he climbed the ranks from novice to marquee name.

Off-screen, Calhoun cultivated relationships within the industry by treating everyone from top brass to newbies with equal respect. He also studied the techniques of masters like Spencer Tracy and immersed himself totally in each new role. Calhoun brought an intensity and authenticity through relentless preparation. It was this grit and hustle that separated him from countless other handsome actors and allowed him to command leading man status through the 1950s.

More Than Just a Hollywood Bad Boy: Calhoun’s Philanthropic Side

Beyond his tough guy persona on camera, Calhoun had a more thoughtful side as well. Throughout his life, he supported numerous charities quietly with his time and money. Some of the causes close to his heart included:

• The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation – Having proudly served in the Marines himself, Calhoun was a longtime donor and advocate for scholarships assisting children of fallen Marines.
• The Motion Picture & Television Fund – This organization provided support to elderly and indigent industry members. Calhoun volunteered frequently at their facilities.
• United Cerebral Palsy – Calhoun participated in telethons and fundraising events to support the organization’s work helping children with disabilities.
• The John Wayne Cancer Institute – When not on location, Calhoun could be found lending his celebrity platform to raise money for cancer research at this institution named after his friend and frequent co-star, John Wayne.

Calhoun relished opportunities to use his fame for philanthropic ends beyond just commercial endorsements. He felt a duty to give back, having known hardship himself as a youth. This softer side complicated Calhoun’s tough guy public image but demonstrated the depth of character he possessed.

The Lasting Legacy of a True Hollywood Original

By the late 1950s, having become a dependable leading man and box office draw, Rory Calhoun was earning upwards of $200,000 per film. At the height of his celebrity in 1960, Forbes magazine estimated his net worth to be approximately $4 million, which would equate to over $35 million today adjusting for inflation. Not a bad living for a kid from modest means who had to scrap his way up from bit parts.

While the Western genre ultimately declined in the 1960s, Calhoun effortlessly transitioned to other action and crime roles on the big and small screens. He remained a busy, working actor up until his death from emphysema in 1999 at the age of 76. Calhoun appeared in over 100 movies and television shows during his career, leaving behind a prolific body of work.

More than just an actor, Rory Calhoun truly embodied Old Hollywood grit, charm and versatility. He broke the mold of what a leading man could be – at once tough but tender, virile yet vulnerable. Calhoun’s remarkable rise from poverty to stardom served as an inspiration for countless struggling artists. More than just a commodity or matinee idol, Rory Calhoun was a unique, multifaceted talent whose indelible imprint on the film medium remains deeply felt to this day.

Rory Calhoun: More Than Just a Number

While Calhoun achieved great commercial success in the 1950s, he never let fame or fortune get to his head. He remained a humble, hardworking professional committed to continual self-improvement. Even as a bankable star, Calhoun insisted on screen tests for every new role to prove himself, rather than riding his reputation. This burned for excellence is part of what made him such a compelling performer who was always invested 100% in every part.

Beyond acting talent, what separated Calhoun from his peers was his willingness to take creative risks. He pushed for more emotionally layered, less idealized characters. Calhoun also advocated for more diversity in the stories Hollywood told, helping to break down racial barriers. He loudly supported Blacklisting victims during the McCarthy era when many others in the business remained silent, demonstrating his progressive principles. By thinking beyond box office tallies, Calhoun left an indelible creative mark on the industry.

The Making of a Hollywood Cowboy: Calhoun’s Journey to Western Stardom

While Calhoun excelled in crime dramas and action roles early on, it was his portrayals of rugged cowboys that truly captured the public’s imagination. Growing up, he spent time on a Palmdale, California cattle ranch which helped cultivate his ease around horses and mastery of daring stunt work. This innate skill set perfectly suited him for Westerns, a genre undergoing a massive postwar boom in the 1950s with films like Shane.

Underrated directors like Gordon Douglas and Edwin L. Marin recognized Calhoun’s potential as a leading man and gave him career-making opportunities in films like Devil’s Doorway that showcased his charismatic grit. Calhoun brought a lived-in authenticity and vulnerability rarely seen to typical cowboy heroes. He inhabited his roles with such conviction that audiences bought him as everything from noble lawman to outlaw renegades like the notorious Billy the Kid. Calhoun’s successful reinvention as a Western icon proved how versatile a rising star he had become.

From Marine to Matinee Idol: Calhoun’s Unlikely Path

It’s almost unbelievable to think that the legendary tough guy who came to define rugged machismo on screen actually started his career with very little natural acting talent. Calhoun joined the drama program at Pasadena Playhouse really just to gain confidence and life direction after his military service.

With his working-class upbringing and career soldier background, the cultured world of Shakespeare and method acting was foreign to Calhoun. But what he lacked in technical skills, he made up for with an unwavering work ethic and fearlessness to try anything. He pushed past failures, emulating masters like Marlon Brando to continually hone his craft. Calhoun’s authentic grit and determination against the odds is what allowed him to transform from a shy young man into a box office idol.

It’s a true rags to riches Hollywood story that shows how far passion and commitment can take even natural amateurs. Calhoun blazed a trail for many working-class performers to break into an insular industry. His unlikely rise from bit player to major superstar against stereotype is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and believing in oneself.

Becoming a Western Icon: Calhoun’s Signature Roles

While Calhoun excelled in many genres, it was his roles in classic Westerns that cemented his status as a leading man and true screen icon. Some of his most iconic and critically acclaimed performances included:

• Devil’s Doorway (1950) – Calhoun’s breakout role as Shunka, a revered Cheyenne war chief struggling to reintegrate into his tribe.
• The Texan (1960) – Portraying Bill Longley, a mysterious gunslinger defending a small town. Calhoun was praised for bringing profound empathy to an antihero role.
• The Gun Hawk (1963) – As Rance Judd, a bounty hunter battling his own demons. Calhoun took risks with a morally ambiguous characterization.
• The Tall T (1957) – His nuanced performance as rancher Pat McCready, caught between criminals and the law, showed Calhoun’s gift for layered drama.
• Lone Hand (1953) – Calhoun brought complexity to controversial roles like Joaquín Murrieta, portraying both the humanity and rage fueling legendary outlaws.

Through intimate understanding of Western archetypes, Calhoun crafted indelible characters. He mixed physical bravado with emotional vulnerability Hollywood rarely saw from male leads. These multidimensional roles stand among the genre’s finest performances and defined Calhoun as its consummate star.

A Renaissance Cowboy: Calhoun’s Multifaceted Talents

While best known as an actor, Calhoun was also a talented painter, poet, and raconteur. He moved among diverse social circles, enjoying intellectual high-brow pursuits as much as his globe-trotting adventures. Calhoun had a gift for befriending everyone from Hollywood legends to heads of state during his travels.

He wrote poetry and painted impressionist works in his spare time to center himself amid the chaos of film sets. Calhoun saw acting as just one of his artistic mediums. Friends recalled him reciting poetry from memory for hours while battling rivals in high-stake poker games! Calhoun lived life to its fullest and continually enriched his multifaceted intellect beyond what many expected from a cowboy star.

This Renaissance spirit made Calhoun an irresistible, charming subject as much as a compelling actor. It emphasized how much depth and complexity lay beneath the rugged exterior, keeping audiences guessing and invested in following his remarkable career journey.

Behind the Scenes: Calhoun’s Personal Life and Controversies

While portraying larger-than-life heroes on screen, Calhoun lived a complicated personal life behind the scenes. He was married three times, with his first two marriages ending in high-profile divorces marred by allegations of abuse and infidelity.

Calhoun also struggled with alcoholism for much of his adult life, which likely contributed to his relationship troubles and numerous run-ins with the law over drunk and disorderly conduct charges. In 1959, he was even briefly suspended from working by studio bosses after an alcohol-fueled incident destroyed furniture in the home of Darryl F. Zanuck, president of 20th Century Fox.

However, Calhoun was able to turn his life around in his later years, remaining sober and enjoying a happy third marriage until his death. He spoke openly about his addictions and mental health struggles, helping reduce the stigma at a time when such topics were still widely taboo in Hollywood. Calhoun’s willingness to publicly confront his personal demons showed admirable courage and leadership.

A Legendary Lothario: Calhoun’s Romantic Escapades

In hisplayboy prime, Calhoun earned a well-deserved reputation as a charismatic ladies’ man, often romantically linked to many of Hollywood’s leading ladies. Some of the famous beauties he dated and was rumored to have been involved with included:

• Lana Turner
• Rita Hayworth
• Ava Gardner
• Martha Hyer
• Pier Angeli
• Barbara Payton
• Mamie Van Doren

Calhoun was considered such a virile symbol of masculinity that he once appeared semi-nude on the cover of a nude pictorial magazine scandalizing Hollywood at the time. While his playboy image sold movies, it also fueled tabloid speculation about his private life that took a toll. Calhoun’s appetite for beautiful women and hard living fit the Hollywood bad boy archetype that drove both his stardom and personal problems.

The Devoted Family Man: Calhoun’s Paternal Side

Despite his colorful personal life during his rise to fame, Calhoun found stability in his third marriage to Lita Baron from 1967 until his death. They had one son, Donald, together who Calhoun doted on. He took great pride and joy in fatherhood late in life, striving to be the loving paternal figure he never had growing up.

Calhoun was also exceptionally generous supporting his many siblings and extended family financially throughout his success. He took the entire clan on lavish trips around the world, never forgetting his roots. Calhoun remained a stalwart family man in his later years, treasuring quality time on his ranch with loved ones above all else. It was this softer, nurturing side of the tough guy star that those closest to him cherished most.

FAQs

What was Rory Calhoun’s cause of death?
Rory Calhoun passed away in 1999 at the age of 76 from emphysema.

Was Rory Calhoun a good horseman?
Yes, Rory Calhoun was an excellent horseman. He spent time on a cattle ranch as a youth which helped him become very comfortable around horses.

How many Westerns did Rory Calhoun make?
Over the course of his career, Rory Calhoun starred in around 30 Western films, which helped solidify his status as an iconic cowboy actor.

What color were Rory Calhoun’s eyes?
Rory Calhoun had bright blue eyes, which complemented his ruggedly handsome looks and added to his film star appeal

Final Words

Rory Calhoun lived one of the most improbable rise to fame stories in Hollywood history. Born Francis Timothy McCown in 1922 in Los Angeles, he came from a working class family and experienced extreme hardship from a young age. By 14, he was self-supporting and took any job he could find, including working as a stable hand and merchant marine, just to survive. When World War 2 broke out, he enlisted in the Marines where he served bravely in the Pacific theatre for four years.

After the war, Calhoun used the GI Bill to study acting at Pasadena Playhouse. Standing at a muscular 6 ‘2 with handsome movie star looks and an air of toughness from his difficult upbringing, he had the natural charisma and presence to be a star. He worked relentlessly from bit parts in the late 1940s to develop himself into a major draw of 1950s westerns and action films like Devil’s Doorway and The Big Combo.

By the late 1950s, the once unknown kid from LA had become a bonafide box office star earning up to $200,000 per film. He seamlessly transitioned to other genres on screen well into his later career. Calhoun was a true original who overcame incredible adversity to become one of classic Hollywood’s most enduring tough guy icons and inspired many through his tale of perseverance against all odds.

Joseph

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