Glenn Ford | Biography

• By Anil Pradhan
• Original : May 03, 2022

Glenn Ford was a legendary Hollywood actor with a career spanning over 50 years. His last on-screen appearance was as Rogers in the 1991 TV movie Final Verdict.

Who is Glenn Ford?

Glenn Ford is a late Canadian-American movie and TV actor. He is best known for his comedy and western movies appearances during Hollywood’s Golden Age in the 1940s to 1960s decade. Moreover, people primarily recognize him as Superman’s adoptive father in the 1978 film Superman: The Movie.

Ford was born in Quebec, Canada, on 1 May 1916. He took birth as Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford to his father, Newton, and mother, Hannah Wood. Although born in Canada, Ford relocated to Venice with his parents at only six years of age. Later, when he was eight years old, the family again moved to Santa Monica, California, and settled there.

As for his academic qualifications, Ford is a high school graduate from Santa Monica High School. While there, he took an interest in drama productions and acting. He also worked part-time with famous American stage and film actor Will Rogers.

Immediately after graduation, Ford joined a theatre group, West Coast, in Santa Monica. He traveled with the group and acted in several plays. Later, in 1937, he landed a minor part in the short film Night in Manhattan. Two years later, Ford made his movie debut as Joe Riley in the 1939 drama film Heaven With a Barbed Wire Fence.

Beginning in 1937, Ford was active in the Hollywood acting industry for over five decades. He appeared in more than 100 movies throughout his career. His famous movies list include Texas (1941), A Stolen Life (1946), The Redhead and the Cowboy (1951), Interrupted Melody (1955), The Gazebo (1959), Advance to the Rear (1964), The Last Challenge (1967), Casablanca Express (1969), etc.

Besides movies, Ford had also acted in several TV series and TV movies. His first TV appearance was as himself in the 1958 TV series, Shower of Stars. It followed his role as Sam Cade in the CBS crime drama Cade’s County (1971-1972). Again in 1975, he played Tom Holvak in The Family Holvak. Additionally, Ford also appeared in other shows such as Once an Eagle (1976-1977), Evening in Byzantium (1978), The Magical World of Disney (1986), Final Verdict (1991 TV movie), etc.

War Service

Ford put a short halt in his acting career to serve his country in World War II. In December 1942, he began volunteering in a reserve force of the US Marine Corps. Later in March 1943, he was assigned to active duty in San Diego.

Reportedly, the Marine Corps had offered Ford the position of a West Coast Guard Officer. However, he did not want any kind of preferential treatment from the State for being a movie star and declined the offer. He then began his training as a private at Marine Base in San Diego.

Ford won the Rifleman Marksman Badge for excelling in rifle shooting during his training period. He was also named the ‘Honor Man’ of his platoon. By the time he completed his training, he was promoted to sergeant's position.

Unfortunately, during his war service, Ford could not be part of any combat duty. However, he received several service medals for his three years of service, including World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, etc.

Cause of Death

Born in 1916, Ford passed away at the age of 90 on 30 August 2006. He had suffered several minor heart strokes in the 1990s, which eventually resulted in his poor health. Thus, his circulatory and heart problems became the main cause of his death.