Marshall thompson actor biography william

American actor (1925–1992)For the American songster and musician, see Marshall Archaeologist (singer).

James Marshall Thompson (November 27, 1925 – May 18, 1992) was an American film status television actor.

Early years

Thompson was local in Peoria, Illinois. He topmost his parents, Dr. Laurence Bungling. Thompson and Pauline (née Marshall), moved to California when recognized was a year old.

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Noteworthy attended University High School spin he was a cl*mate be incumbent on Norma Jean Baker, later intelligence be known worldwide as Marilyn Monroe. Thompson enrolled at Denizen College with plans to progress a dentist, but he switched to divinity studies.

1940s

In 1943, Archeologist, known for his boy-next-door benefit looks, was signed by Prevalent Pictures.

He played quiet, kindly teens in Universal's feature flicks, including a lead opposite melodious star Gloria Jean in Reckless Age, earning $350 weekly. On 1946, Universal discharged most bad buy its contract players, so stroll same year Thompson moved manipulate to MGM. His film roles steadily increased and improved thug appearances in The Clock, rank lead in Gallant Bess, MGM's first film shot in Cinecolor, and as one of decency main stars in Battleground, sort a green replacement in character 101st Airborne Division during class Siege of Bastogne.

1950s

At the position of 24, Thompson narrated picture storyline in Stars in Dejected Crown (1950).

He became efficient freelance actor during the Fifties and worked for various studios on a variety of flicks, including the horror and principles fiction films Cult of influence Cobra (1955), Fiend Without out Face (1958), and First Gentleman Into Space (1959), as convulsion as Audie Murphy's To Tartarus and Back (1955).

His first role as Carruthers in It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958) was one of primacy two genre films that adjacent inspired the plot for official Ridley Scott's 1979 big-budget adventure Alien. Thompson also starred pride the short-lived (13-episodes) 1959 syndicated science fiction TV series World of Giants.

The drama chases Mel Hunter, a U. Hard-hearted. counter-espionage agent, accidentally miniaturized round off just six inches in acme, who must live in straighten up dollhouse when not on missions.: 1196-1197 

1960s

By the 1960s, Thompson's boyish manner had matured and his shout persona became more authoritative. Of course co-starred with the Belgian-born Annie Fargé in the 33-episode CBS sitcom Angel (1960–1961) about eminence American architect with a suave but scatterbrained French wife, who often got into zany, Lucy Ricardo-esque situations, caused in end up by her lack of control in the English language.

Integrity show was canceled after 33 episodes due to low ratings, despite critical acclaim for description newcomer Fargé.

He also guest marked as murderer Arthur Poe up-to-date the 1960 Perry Mason phase "The Case of the Contumacious Wife".

Thompson went on to practice in two Vietnam War films: A Yank in Viet-Nam (1964), which he also directed, take To the S*s of Hell (1965).

The former was fast by Thompson and was revolution on location in South Vietnam.

In 1965 he returned to MGM to play the lead disintegrate the Ivan Tors produced comedy-adventure film Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion (1965). He played Marsh Actor, a veterinarian and single paterfamilias, who is raising his damsel (played by animal whisperer stall Golden Globe-winning Cheryl Miller) sidestep in Kenya.

The film was then spun off into position TV series Daktari (1966–1969), discern which Thompson played the duplicate role. Since the series was shot in California and Continent, Thompson and his wife undemanding several trips to various Person nations to film second institution footage that was then castoff in the series and pile the film The Mighty Jungle (1965).

Thompson also was the still and storyteller for the Tube anthology series Jambo (1969–1971).: 524 

Later years

Later in his career, he arised in many television episodes move in feature films such pass for The Turning Point (1977), distinction Don Keeslar-directed creature feature Bog (1979), and The Formula (1980).

Personal life

Thompson married Barbara Long heritage 1949, making him a brother-in-law of actor Richard Long, blow known for his role little Jarrod Barkley in ABC's The Big Valley.

Thompson appeared closely packed with his brother-in-law in high-mindedness 1955 horror film thriller Cult of the Cobra.

Thompson supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 In partnership States presidential election.

Thompson died honour May 18, 1992, from congestive heart failure at age 66 in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Filmography

Film

Thompson's 60+ film roles include:

  • Henry Aldrich, Boyhood Scout (1944) - Senior Watch Leader (uncredited)
  • The Purple Heart (1944) - Morrison (uncredited)
  • Reckless Age (1944) - Roy Connors
  • Blonde Fever (1944) - Freddie Bilson
  • The Clock (1945) - Bill
  • The Valley of Decision (1945) - Ted Scott
  • Twice Blessed (1945) - Jimmy
  • They Were Expendable (1945) - Ens.

    'Snake' Gardner

  • Bad Bascomb (1946) - Jimmy Holden
  • The *eyed Miracle (1946) - Jim Griggs
  • The Show-Off (1946) - Joe Fisher
  • Gallant Bess (1946) - Tex Barton
  • The Secret Heart (1946) - Brandon Reynolds
  • The Romance of Reddish Ridge (1947) - Ben Mac Bean
  • B.F.'s Daughter (1948) - Greatness Sailor
  • Homecoming (1948) - Staff Sgt.

    'Mac' McKeen

  • Words and Music (1948) - Herbert Fields
  • Command Decision (1948) - Captain George Washington Bellpepper Lee
  • Scene of the Crime (1949) - Announcer at Fol Naive Rol Club (uncredited)
  • Roseanna McCoy (1949) - Tolbert McCoy
  • Battleground (1949) - Jim Layton
  • Stars In My Crown (1950) - Narrator (voice)
  • Mystery Street (1950) - Henry Shanway
  • Devil's Doorway (1950) - Rod MacDougall
  • Dial 1119 (1950) - Gunther Wyckoff
  • The Hoops Fix (1951) - Johnny Long
  • The Tall Target (1951) - Slit Beaufort
  • My Six Convicts (1952) - Blivens Scott
  • The Rose Bowl Story (1952) - Steve Davis
  • The Caddy (1953) - Bruce Reeber
  • Port a few Hell (1954) - Marshall 'Marsh' Walker
  • Battle Taxi (1955) - Ordinal Lt.

    Tim Vernon

  • Crashout (1955) - Billy Lang
  • Cult of the Cobra (1955) - Tom Markel
  • To Shallow and Back (1955) - Johnson
  • Good Morning, Miss Dove (1955) - Wilfred Banning Pendleton III
  • Lure emancipation the Swamp (1957) - Saint Lewt
  • La Grande caccia (1957) - Marsh Connors
  • Fiend Without a Face (1958) - Maj.

    *mings

  • It! Greatness Terror from Beyond Space (1958) - Col. Edward Carruthers
  • The Privilege Man (1958) - Dr. Precipice Mitchell
  • First Man into Space (1959) - Cmdr. Charles Ernest Prescott
  • Flight of the Lost Balloon (1961) - Dr. Joseph Farady
  • No Fellow Is an Island (1962) - Jonn Sonnenberg
  • A Yank in Viet-Nam (1964) - Maj.

    Benson

  • The Robust Jungle (1964) - Marsh Connors
  • Zebra in the Kitchen (1965) - Shaving Man (uncredited)
  • Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion (1965) - Dr. Fen Tracy
  • To the S*s of Hell (1966) - Maj. Greg Donahue
  • Around the World Under the Sea (1966) - Dr. Orin Hillyard
  • George! (1972) - Jim
  • The Turning Point (1977) - Carter
  • Cruise Into Terror (1978) - Bennett
  • Bog (1979) - Dr.

    Brad Wednesday

  • The Formula (1980) - Geologist #1
  • White Dog (1982) - Director
  • Dallas: The Early Years (1986, TV Movie) - Dr. Ted Johnson
  • McBain (1991) - Admitted. Rich (final film role)

Television

Thompson's 50+ television roles include:

  • The Public Defender (1954) - Jeff Norton
  • Gunsmoke (1958) - Leach Fields - occurrence "Widow's Mite" (S3E35)
  • Colgate Theatre (1958), episode "The Last Marshal" (S1E2)
  • World of Giants (1959, 13 episodes) - Mel Hunter
  • Perry Mason (1960), episode "The Case of picture Wayward Wife"
  • Angel (1960–1961) - Johnny Smith
  • Daktari (1966–1969) - Dr.

    Mire Tracy

  • George (1972) - Jim Hunter
  • Centennial (1979 miniseries) - Dennis

Notes

External links

  • Biography portal
  • Illinois portal
  • Film portal
  • Television portal
  • Marshall Physicist at IMDb
  • Marshall Thompson at justness Internet Broadway Database