Keith Andes
Andes in Split Second (1953)
Born
John Charles Andes

(1920-07-12)July 12, 1920
Ocean City, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedNovember 11, 2005(2005-11-11) (aged 85)
Newhall, California, U.S.
Alma materTemple University (Bachelor of Education)
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1932–1980
Spouses
  • Jean Alice Cotton
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1946; div. 1961)​
  • Shelah Hackett (m. 1961; div. 19??)
Children2, including Mark Andes
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army Air Forces
Battles/warsWorld War II

Keith Andes (born John Charles Andes,[1] July 12, 1920 – November 11, 2005) was an American film, radio, musical theater, stage and television actor.

Early life and education

Andes was born to Mr. and Mrs. William G. Andes[2] in Ocean City, New Jersey. By the age of 12, he was featured on the radio.[1]

The family moved to Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. Andes attended Upper Darby High School and found work on radio singing and acting throughout his high school years.

He attended St Edward's School in Oxford, England, and graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia,[2] where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity,[3] in 1943 with a bachelor's degree in education. While at Temple, he did not participate in the university's theater program, but spent his time working as a disc jockey for several Philadelphia-area radio stations, including KYW, WFIL, and WIP.[3][4] After graduating from Temple, he studied voice at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music in Center City Philadelphia. He was known for his baritone voice.

Career

Early performances

He began his acting career while serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He served three years and sang and acted in United Service Organization shows.[5][6] He was cast in the play Winged Victory and then cast by 20th Century Fox in the film Winged Victory (1944).[7]

In 1947, Andes received a Theater World Award for his Broadway debut performance in a revival of the operetta The Chocolate Soldier.[8]

In 1947, he had a role in the movie The Farmer's Daughter, the film that won Loretta Young her Best Actress Oscar. Andes, Lex Barker and James Arness played the title character's powerfully built and highly protective brothers.

Andes' first leading role in a feature film came with Project X (1949), a low-budget, independent movie.

In June 1950, he joined the cast of Kiss Me, Kate on Broadway, taking over the lead from Alfred Drake, starring in the show for over a year, in New York and on tour. This re-ignited Hollywood's interest in him.[9]

RKO and Universal

Andes with Marilyn Monroe in Clash by Night

Andes appeared as Marilyn Monroe's sweetheart and Barbara Stanwyck's brother in the cult film Clash by Night (1952), directed by Fritz Lang and co-written by Clifford Odets, for RKO.[10]

Also for that studio, he played the heroic Lt. Maynard in Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952) and a supporting role in Split Second (1953).

In 1953, he starred in a short-lived Broadway musical, Maggie.[11]

In 1954, he signed a new contract with RKO even though that studio had kept him idle for a year, causing him to miss a part in The High and the Mighty.[12] He was under contract to RKO for three years.[13]

He co-starred with Angela Lansbury in the film noir A Life at Stake (1954) and was one of several male leads in The Second Greatest Sex (1955) at Universal, where he signed a long-term contract.

Andes begin guest starring on TV shows like Celebrity Playhouse, The Ford Television Theatre, Matinee Theatre, The Loretta Young Show, Conflict and Playhouse 90. He also starred in TV adaptations of The Great Waltz (playing Johann Strauss, Jr.), Bloomer Girl (1956) and Holiday (based on The Grand Tour) (1956).[14][15]

He made two films with Jeff Chandler at Universal, Away All Boats (1956) and Pillars of the Sky (1956), and did Back from Eternity (1956) at RKO.[16][17] In 1956, he starred in a pilot for the series Doctor Mike, that was not picked up.[18]

At Universal, he had a role in Interlude (1957), then he appeared in The Girl Most Likely (1958), the last film made by RKO.

Andes guest starred on Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre, Goodyear Theatre, Alcoa Theatre and The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna.

In 1958, Andes starred as crusading former Louisiana State Police Superintendent Francis Grevemberg in the film Damn Citizen at Universal. His co-stars were Margaret Hayes as Dorothy Maguire Grevemberg and Gene Evans as Police Major Al Arthur.[19]

He starred in two low-budget features: Model for Murder (1959) in England and Surrender - Hell! (1960) in the Philippines.

Television

Andes was cast in a regular series, playing Frank Dawson in the police drama This Man Dawson (1959–60),[20] the story of a former United States Marine Corps colonel who is hired to stop police corruption in a large, unnamed city. William Conrad did the series narration.[21]

On Broadway, Andes starred opposite Lucille Ball in the musical Wildcat (1960–61) which ran for 175 performances.[22]

When Wildcat ended Andes resumed his television career, guest starring on Sea Hunt, Have Gun - Will Travel, Follow the Sun, Vacation Playhouse and The Rifleman.

In 1963, Andes was cast with Victor Buono and Arch Johnson in the episode "Firebug" of the anthology series GE True, hosted by Jack Webb. In the story line, Buono portrays Charles Colvin, a barber in Los Angeles, who is by night a pyromaniac. The United States Forest Service works to find Colvin before he can set more fires.[23]

Later in 1963, Andes was cast in a regular role as the lawyer-husband on the 1963 sitcom Glynis, starring Glynis Johns as his wife,[24] a mystery writer and amateur sleuth.

He guest-starred on 77 Sunset Strip, Perry Mason (in the episode "Illicit Illusion"), Mickey Rooney's short-lived sitcom Mickey, The Littlest Hobo, Death Valley Days, Valentine's Day, Branded, The Lucy Show, and Run for Your Life.[25]

Andes starred as the manager of a radio station in the serial Paradise Bay, which debuted September 27, 1965.[26]

He returned to guest-star roles in Daniel Boone, The Andy Griffith Show, and I Spy.

His work included voice acting in the animated Birdman and the Galaxy Trio (1967) as Birdman.[27] In 1967, he toured in a production of Man of La Mancha.[28]

Later career

He appeared as General George C. Marshall in the film Tora! Tora! Tora! and in the biker movie Hell's Bloody Devils (1970).

He guest-starred on Petticoat Junction, The Bold Ones: The New Doctors, Dan August, The Streets of San Francisco, Search, Gunsmoke, Cannon, Caribe, and The Magical World of Disney ("Twister, Bull from the Sky").

His later appearances included the films ...And Justice for All (1979) and The Ultimate Impostor (1979) as well as playing Minister Darius in the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century episode "Buck's Duel to the Death".

His last appearance was in the TV movie Blinded by the Light (1980). He then retired. He later said "I was divorced, my kids were grown, and that is when I bought a boat and lived on it and ran charters on it over to Catalina and down to Mexico and back. I just had a ball."[9]

Personal life

On November 30, 1946, Andes married Jean A. Cotton, a nurse, in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania.[2] The couple divorced in 1961.[29] They had two sons: musicians Mark Andes (in bands Spirit, Jo Jo Gunne, Firefall and Heart) and Matt Andes (also a member of Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne).[1]

In 1961, he married Sheila Hackett during a break in Wildcat.[30]

Death

On November 11, 2005, Andes was found dead at the age of 85 at his home in Santa Clarita, California.[31][32] He had been suffering from bladder cancer and other ailments (he had been a smoker). His death was ruled as suicide by asphyxiation,[33] according to a report from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.[1] His remains were donated to medical science.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1944Winged VictoryFlyerUncredited
1947The Farmer's DaughterSven Holstrom
1949Project XSteve Monahan
1952Clash by NightJoe Doyle
1952Blackbeard the PirateRobert Maynard
1953Split SecondLaryy Fleming
1954A Life at StakeEdward Shaw
1955The Second Greatest SexRev. Peter Maxwell
1956Away All BoatsDoctor Bell
1956Back from EternityJoe Brooks
1956Pillars of the SkyCapt. Tom Gaxton
1957InterludeDr. Morley Dwyer
1957The Girl Most LikelyNeil Patterson, Jr.
1957Turn of FateDavid Cramerep29 - The Lady Takes A Stand
1958Damn CitizenCol. Francis C. Grevemberg
1959Model for MurderDavid Martens
1959Surrender - Hell!Col. Donald D. Blackburn
1961Sea HuntTodd WebsterSeason 4, Episode 37
1962The Rifleman ReynoldsSeason 4, Episode 23
1964The Tattooed PoliceNarratorVoice
1964‘’Perry Mason’’Dr. YoungSeason 7, Episode 25
1967Star TrekAkutaEpisode: "The Apple"
1970Hell's Bloody DevilsJoe Brimante
1970Tora! Tora! Tora!General George C. Marshall
1979...And Justice for AllMarvin Bates

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Andes, leading man to Marilyn Monroe, dies at 85". USA Today. Associated Press. November 27, 2005. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Jean A. Cotton Bride of Stage, Screen Actor". The Daily Messenger. New York, Canandaigua. December 2, 1946. p. 3. Retrieved June 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. 1 2 Warburton, Albert F. (Winter 1961). "Behind the make-up of This Man Keith" (PDF). The Emerald of Sigma Pi. Vol. 47, no. 4. pp. 178–179. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 21, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  4. ↑ Keith Andes Ducks Hollywood Social Whirl Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times 1 Sep 1957: D3.
  5. ↑ "United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946". National Archives and Records Administration.
  6. ↑ Keith Andes, 85, an Actor On Broadway and in Movies: [Obituary (Obit)] The New York Times 30 Nov 2005: 19.
  7. ↑ Keith Andes, Actor 1920–2005. The Globe and Mail 29 Nov 2005: S.9.
  8. ↑ "Theatre World Award Recipients". Theatre World Awards. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Obituary: Keith Andes ; Actor and musical star with brooding good looks: [First Edition] Vallance, Tom. The Independentc24 Dec 2005: 37.
  10. ↑ Drama: Edith Piaf Will Star in Kirkland Film Play; Keith Andes in Debut. Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 4 Oct 1951: A7.
  11. ↑ Keith Andes to Star in N.Y. Play, 'Maggie'. Chicago Daily Tribune 22 Feb 1953: e10.
  12. ↑ Drama: Actor-Singer Keith Andes Wins New Setup; Johnson Hinted as Joey. Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 4 May 1954: A11.
  13. ↑ Hughes Once Owned Andes By Richard L. Coe. The Washington Post and Times-Herald 24 July 1968: B5.
  14. ↑ "'Homeward Borne' On 'Playhouse 90' Aug. 22". Altoona Tribune. Altoona Tribune. August 17, 1957. p. 14. Retrieved April 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  15. ↑ Keith Andes Is Teamed With Patrice Munsel; Confusion on $64,000. Ames, Walter. Los Angeles Times 13 Oct 1955: 34.
  16. ↑ Keith Andes Shares Wheel. New York Times 31 Dec 1955: 17.
  17. ↑ 'Pillars of the Sky' Costars Keith Andes. Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 17 Aug 1955: b8.
  18. ↑ Medical TV Show Gets New Title: Screen Gems Renames Film Series 'Dr. Mike'--Keith Andes to Be Its Star Special to The New York Times. The New York Times 11 Dec 1956: 61.
  19. ↑ 'Damned Citizen' Will Star Margaret Hayes. Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times 25 Apr 1957: C8.
  20. ↑ Erickson, Hal (1989). Syndicated Television: The First Forty Years, 1947–1987. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 0-7864-1198-8. Pp. 45-46.
  21. ↑ BARKING BARITONE: Singer Keith Andes Is a Tough Police Chief in New Channel 9 Series Chicago Daily Tribune 31 Oct 1959: 29.
  22. ↑ "(Keith Andes search)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  23. ↑ "GE True". Classic Television Archive. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  24. ↑ Grant, Hank (September 25, 1963). "Andes Stars in 'Glynis'". The Decatur Herald. Illinois, Decatur. p. 15. Retrieved June 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  25. ↑ Keith Andes Stars. Los Angeles Times 29 Sep 1964: C13.
  26. ↑ "TV Highlights". The San Bernardino County Sun. The San Bernardino County Sun. September 27, 1965. p. 19. Retrieved April 20, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  27. ↑ Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7. P. 109.
  28. ↑ Keith Andes, 85; Actor Was Marilyn Monroe's Co-Star in 1952 Film: [HOME EDITION]. Nelson, Valerie J. Los Angeles Times 27 Nov 2005: B.12.
  29. ↑ "Actor Keith Andes Given Custody of Teenage Sons". Valley News. California, Van Nuys. August 16, 1964. p. 20. Retrieved June 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  30. ↑ "Keith Andes Reweds". The New York Times. February 11, 1961. p. 28. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  31. ↑ "Keith Andes, 85; Actor Was Marilyn Monroe's Co-Star in 1952 Film". Los Angeles Times. November 27, 2005. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Actor Keith Andes Found Dead in Home.County coroner's office rules death a suicide". SCV History. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Keith Andes". The Indiana Gazette. Pennsylvania, Indiana. Associated Press. January 9, 1986. p. 28. Retrieved June 14, 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
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