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{{Short description|American actor and politician (1914–1968)}}
{{Short description|American actor (1914–1968)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Wendell Corey
| name = Wendell Corey
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}}
}}


'''Wendell Reid Corey''' (March 20, 1914 – November 8, 1968) was an American actor and politician. He was President of the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] and was a board member of the [[Screen Actors Guild]].
'''Wendell Reid Corey''' (March 20, 1914 – November 8, 1968) was an American stage, film, and television actor. He was President of the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] and a board member of the [[Screen Actors Guild]], and also served on the [[Santa Monica City Council]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Early years===
===Early years===
Corey was born in [[Dracut, Massachusetts]],<ref name=s>{{cite news|last1=Corby|first1=Jane|title=Screenings|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2642610/the_brooklyn_daily_eagle/|work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|date=January 22, 1950|page=27|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = June 18, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> the son of Milton Rothwell Corey (October 24, 1879 – October 23, 1951) and Julia Etta McKenney (April 11, 1882 – June 16, 1947). His father was a [[Congregational church|Congregationalist]] [[clergy]]man and an actor who appeared in ''[[Rawhide (1951 film)|Rawhide]]'' as Dr Tucker. Wendell was educated in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]]. His ancestors included U.S. Presidents [[John Adams]] and [[John Quincy Adams]].<ref name=s/>
Corey was born in [[Dracut, Massachusetts]],<ref name=s>{{cite news| last1=Corby| first1=Jane| title=Screenings| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2642610/the_brooklyn_daily_eagle/| newspaper=[[Brooklyn Eagle]]| date=January 22, 1950| page=27| via=[[Newspapers.com]]| access-date=June 18, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> the son of Milton Rothwell Corey (October 24, 1879 – October 23, 1951) and Julia Etta McKenney (April 11, 1882 – June 16, 1947). His father was a [[Congregational church|Congregationalist]] [[clergy]]man and an actor who appeared in ''[[Rawhide (1951 film)|Rawhide]]'' as Dr Tucker. Wendell was educated in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]]. His ancestors included U.S. Presidents [[John Adams]] and [[John Quincy Adams]].<ref name=s/>


⚫
===Stage ===
Before becoming an actor, Corey was a washing-machine salesman in a department store.<ref>{{cite news|title=Short Illness Claims Life Of Film Actor|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19681109&id=qaxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QuEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5866,2034194&hl=en|access-date=19 June 2015|work=Eugene Register-Guard|date=November 9, 1968|page=8A}}</ref>
After graduating from high school in Springfield, Corey sold washing machines and refrigerators at a Springfield department store, when he stopped by to see a friend who was acting at the Springfield Repertory Theater.


The group needed an actor to play the role of a Swedish janitor in ''[[Street Scene (play)|Street Scene]]''. Corey took the role and stayed with the theater group for a year, working in the department store during the day and acting at night. He went into acting full time after that with a theater group in [[Holyoke, Massachusetts|Holyoke]]. He went on to serve a long apprenticeship in the theater, producing, directing and acting in hundreds of plays in summer stock.<ref name=upi>{{cite news |title=Veteran Stage, TV, Film Actor Wendell Corey Dead at Age 54 |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |agency=[[United Press International]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-wendell-corey-obituary/122906653/ |page=22 |access-date=15 April 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=November 9, 1968 |title=Short Illness Claims Life Of Film Actor |page=8A |newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19681109&id=qaxVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QuEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5866,2034194&hl=en |agency=[[Associated Press]] |access-date=12 June 2024}}</ref> Corey also was employed by the [[Federal Theatre Project]]".<ref name=lawrence>{{cite news |title=Wendell Corey Dies Friday; Liver Ailment |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19681109&id=NRxUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-zkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=7113,977753&hl=en |access-date=19 June 2015 |newspaper=[[Lawrence Journal-World]] |date=November 9, 1968 |page=7}}</ref>
⚫
===Stage===
Corey "began acting in 1938 with the depression-spawned [[Federal Theatre Project]]".<ref>{{cite news|title=Wendell Corey Dies Friday; Liver Ailment|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19681109&id=NRxUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-zkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=7113,977753&hl=en|access-date=19 June 2015|work=Lawrence Journal World|date=November 9, 1968|page=7}}</ref>

Most of these had short runs. Corey had his first hit as a cynical newspaperman in [[Elmer Rice]]'s comedy ''[[Dream Girl (play)|Dream Girl]]'' (1945). While appearing in the [[stage play|play]], Corey was seen by [[film producer|producer]] [[Hal B. Wallis|Hal Wallis]], who persuaded him to sign a contract with [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] and pursue a [[film|motion picture]] career in [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]].<ref>{{cite news|title=FILM SCOUT FOUND WENDELL COREY|work=Times Pictorial|location=Dublin, Ireland|date=Nov 11, 1950|page=5}}</ref>


===Film===
===Film===
After appearing in a U.S. Army short film on venereal disease entitled ''[[Easy to Get (short film)|Easy to Get]]'' in 1947,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Medical Movies on the Web|url= https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/collections/films/medicalmoviesontheweb/easytogetessay.html}}</ref> Corey's feature film debut came as a gangster in Wallis's ''[[Desert Fury]]'' (1947) starring [[Burt Lancaster]], [[John Hodiak]], [[Lizabeth Scott]], and [[Mary Astor]]. In 1947 he appeared in ''[[The Voice of the Turtle (play)|The Voice of the Turtle]]'' on stage with [[Margaret Sullavan]] in England.<ref>{{cite news|title=Astaire Will Prepare New Dance Routines|author=Schallert, Edwin|date=May 5, 1948|work=Los Angeles Times|page=22}}</ref>
While appearing as the cynical newspaperman in [[Elmer Rice]]'s comedy ''[[Dream Girl (play)|Dream Girl]]'' (1945), he was seen by [[film producer|producer]] [[Hal B. Wallis|Hal Wallis]], who persuaded him to sign a contract with [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] and pursue a [[film|motion picture]] career in [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]].<ref>{{cite news |date=November 11, 1950 |title=Film Scout Found Wendell Corey |page=5 |work=Times Pictorial |location=Dublin}}</ref> Corey's feature film debut came as a gangster in Wallis's ''[[Desert Fury]]'' (1947) starring [[Burt Lancaster]], [[John Hodiak]], [[Lizabeth Scott]], and [[Mary Astor]]. In 1947 he appeared in ''[[The Voice of the Turtle (play)|The Voice of the Turtle]]'' on stage with [[Margaret Sullavan]] in England.<ref>{{cite news |title=Astaire Will Prepare New Dance Routines |last=Schallert |first=Edwin |date=May 5, 1948 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/381175257/?match=1&terms=%22astaire%20will%20prepare%20new%20dance%22 |page=22 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>


Wallis promoted him to co-star status in ''[[The File on Thelma Jordon]]'' (1950) where he appeared opposite Barbara Stanwyck. Corey had a good part in Columbia's ''[[No Sad Songs for Me]]'' (1950) playing [[Margaret Sullavan]]'s husband.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Wendell Corey Male Star in 'No Sad Songs'; Erickson Gets Ace Role|author=Schallert, Edwin.|date=Oct 7, 1949|work=Los Angeles Times|page=A7}}</ref>
Wallis promoted him to co-star status in ''[[The File on Thelma Jordon]]'' (1950) where he appeared opposite [[Barbara Stanwyck]]. Corey had a good part in Columbia's ''[[No Sad Songs for Me]]'' (1950) playing Margaret Sullavan's husband.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wendell Corey Male Star in 'No Sad Songs'; Erickson Gets Ace Role |last=Schallert |first=Edwin |date=October 7, 1949 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |page=A7}}</ref>He co-starred with [[Lana Turner]] in ''[[A Life of Her Own]]'' but pulled out after only a few days claiming he was miscast. He was replaced by [[Ray Milland]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ray Milland Gets Metro Movit Lead: Replaces Wendell Corey, Who Withdraws From 'Life of Her Own' During Filming Columbia Releases Ireland Of Local Origin |first=Thomas F. |last=Brady |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 18, 1950 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1950/02/18/archives/ray-milland-gets-metro-movie-lead-replaces-wendell-corey-who.html?searchResultPosition=2 |page=9 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Corey had one of his most memorable roles when he played Lt. Thomas Doyle in [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s ''[[Rear Window]]'' (1954) starring [[James Stewart]] and [[Grace Kelly]]. He toured the US on stage in ''[[The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (play)|The Caine Mutiny Court Martial]]'' in 1954.<ref>{{cite news |title=Corey Hits Road With 'Mutiny' |last=Scheuer |first=Philip K. |date=July 18, 1954|work=Los Angeles Times|page=D1}}</ref>

He co-starred with [[Lana Turner]] in ''[[A Life of Her Own]]'' but pulled out after only a few days claiming he was miscast. He was replaced by [[Ray Milland]].<ref>{{cite news|title=RAY MILLAND GETS METRO MOVIE LEAD: Replaces Wendell Corey, Who Withdraws From 'Life of Her Own' During Filming Columbia Releases Ireland Of Local Origin|author=THOMAS F. BRADY|work=New York Times|date=18 Feb 1950|page=9}}</ref>

Corey had one of his most memorable roles when he played Lt. Thomas Doyle in [[Alfred Hitchcock|Hitchcock]]'s ''[[Rear Window]]'' (1954) starring [[James Stewart]] and [[Grace Kelly]]. He toured the US on stage in ''[[The Caine Mutiny Court Martial]]'' in 1954.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Corey Hits Road With 'Mutiny'|author=Scheuer, Philip K.|date=July 18, 1954|work=Los Angeles Times|page=D1}}</ref>


===Television===
===Television===
[[File:Wendell Corey, Patty McCormack, Ray Farrell, and Marsha Hunt from Peck's Bad Girl - 1959.jpg|thumb|Corey and cast of the 1959 [[Mid-season replacement|summer replacement]] TV series ''Peck's Bad Girl'']]
[[File:Wendell Corey, Patty McCormack, Ray Farrell, and Marsha Hunt from Peck's Bad Girl - 1959.jpg|thumb|Corey and cast of the 1959 [[Mid-season replacement|summer replacement]] TV series ''Peck's Bad Girl'']]
Corey portrayed [[Lou Gehrig]] in "The Lou Gehrig Story" for the television series ''[[Climax!]]'' (1955). He was a series lead in ''[[Harbor Command]]'' (1957–1958) for which Corey starred with [[Casey Walters]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Television_Introductions/EDsYAgAAQBAJ?hl=en|title=Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings since 1949|page=84|first=Vincent|last=Terrace|publisher=Scarecrow Press|date=November 7, 2013|isbn=9780810892507|via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>
Corey portrayed [[Lou Gehrig]] in "The Lou Gehrig Story" for the television series ''[[Climax!]]'' (1955). He was a series lead in ''[[Harbor Command]]'' (1957–1958) for which Corey starred with [[Casey Walters]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EDsYAgAAQBAJ |title=Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings since 1949 |page=84 |first=Vincent |last=Terrace |publisher=Scarecrow Press |date=November 7, 2013|isbn=978-0-8108-9250-7 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref>


==Other activities==
==Other activities==
Corey was President of the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] from 1961 to 1963 and was a member of the board of directors of the [[Screen Actors Guild]]. A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] campaigner in national politics since 1956, Corey was elected to the [[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]] [[city council|City Council]] in April 1965.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wendell Corey Wins City Council Seat|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1697&dat=19650412&id=7DEgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bEYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3492,3969501&hl=en|access-date=19 June 2015|agency=Park City Daily News|date=April 12, 1965|page=9}}</ref>
Corey was President of the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] from 1961 to 1963 and was a member of the board of directors of the [[Screen Actors Guild]]. A [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] campaigner in national politics since 1956, Corey was elected to the [[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica]] [[city council|City Council]] in April 1965.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wendell Corey Wins City Council Seat |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1697&dat=19650412&id=7DEgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bEYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3492,3969501&hl=en |access-date=12 June 2024 |newspaper=Park City Daily News |date=April 12, 1965 |page=9 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Corey supported [[Barry Goldwater]] in the [[1964 United States presidential election]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QfHXAAAAQBAJ&q=wendell%20corey |title=When Hollywood Was Right: How Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Big Business Remade American Politics |isbn=978-1-1076-5028-2 |last1=Critchlow |first1=Donald T. |date=2013-10-21 |publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref>

Corey supported [[Barry Goldwater]] in the [[1964 United States presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/When_Hollywood_Was_Right/QfHXAAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=wendell%20corey | title=When Hollywood Was Right: How Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Big Business Remade American Politics| isbn=9781107650282| last1=Critchlow| first1=Donald T.| date=2013-10-21}}</ref>


==Death==
==Death==
Corey died November 8, 1968,<ref>{{cite news|title=Wendell Corey Dies; Veteran Movie Actor|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2512&dat=19681109&id=xudHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Hv8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2383,1248634&hl=en|access-date=19 June 2015|agency=The Morning Record|date=November 9, 1968|page=5}}</ref> at age 54 at the [[Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital|Motion Picture & Television Hospital]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Wendell Corey Dies|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19681109&id=U3ssAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XMwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3144,1495915&hl=en|access-date=19 June 2015|agency=Herald-Journal|date=November 9, 1968|page=1}}</ref> in [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles|Woodland Hills, California]], of [[cirrhosis|cirrhosis of the liver]] as a result of alcoholism. Funeral services were held at First Presbyterian Church in [[Santa Monica, California]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Wendell Corey Services Held|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19681112&id=TwMdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1572,2687122&hl=en|access-date=19 June 2015|agency=The Tuscaloosa News|date=November 12, 1968|page=2}}</ref>
Corey died November 8, 1968, at age 54 at the [[Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital|Motion Picture & Television Hospital]] in [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles|Woodland Hills, California]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Wendell Corey Dies; Veteran Movie Actor |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2512&dat=19681109&id=xudHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Hv8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2383,1248634&hl=en |access-date=12 June 2024 |newspaper=[[Record-Journal|The Morning Record]] |date=November 9, 1968 |page=5}}</ref> Initial reports stated the cause of death was liver disease, however the likely cause was [[cirrhosis|cirrhosis of the liver]] as Corey's alcoholism was well-known.<ref name=upi/><ref>{{cite web |title=From Dracut to Hollywood–Wendell Corey |url=https://blogs.lowellsun.com/history/2019/04/13/from-dracut-to-hollywood-wendell-corey/ |date=April 13, 2019 |first=Rebecca A. |last=Duda |website=Discovering the Historic Merrimack Valley}}</ref> Funeral services were held at First Presbyterian Church in [[Santa Monica, California]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Wendell Corey Services Held|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19681112&id=TwMdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NZsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1572,2687122&hl=en |access-date=19 June 2015 |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=November 12, 1968 |page=2 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>


==Walk of Fame==
==Walk of Fame==
Wendell Corey has a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] awarded for his work in TV, at 6328 Hollywood Boulevard in [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]], Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wendell Corey|url=http://www.walkoffame.com/wendell-corey|access-date=19 June 2015|agency=Hollywood Walk of Fame}}</ref>
Wendell Corey has a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] awarded for his work in TV, at 6328 Hollywood Boulevard in [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]], Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wendell Corey |url=http://www.walkoffame.com/wendell-corey |access-date=19 June 2015 |website=Hollywood Walk of Fame}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
Line 61: Line 53:
! Year !! Title !! width=250px|Role !! Notes
! Year !! Title !! width=250px|Role !! Notes
|-
|-
| 1947 || ''[[Desert Fury]]'' || Johnny Ryan ||
| 1947 || ''[[Desert Fury]]'' || Johnny Ryan ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=4|1948 || ''[[I Walk Alone]]'' || Dave ||
| rowspan=4|1948 || ''[[I Walk Alone]]'' || Dave ||
|-
|-
| ''[[The Search]]'' || Jerry Fisher ||
| ''[[The Search]]'' || Jerry Fisher ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Man-Eater of Kumaon]]'' || Dr. John Collins ||
| ''[[Man-Eater of Kumaon]]'' || Dr. John Collins ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Sorry, Wrong Number]]'' || Doctor Alexander ||
| ''[[Sorry, Wrong Number]]'' || Doctor Alexander ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=3|1949 || ''[[The Accused (1949 film)|The Accused]]'' || Lt. Ted Dorgan ||
| rowspan=3|1949 || ''[[The Accused (1949 film)|The Accused]]'' || Lieutenant Ted Dorgan ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Any Number Can Play]]'' || Robbin Elcott ||
| ''[[Any Number Can Play]]'' || Robbin Elcott ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Holiday Affair]]'' || Carl Davis ||
| ''[[Holiday Affair]]'' || Carl Davis ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=4|1950 || ''[[The File on Thelma Jordon]]'' || Cleve Marshall ||
| rowspan=4|1950 || ''[[The File on Thelma Jordon]]'' || Cleve Marshall ||
|-
|-
| ''[[No Sad Songs for Me]]'' || Brad Scott ||
| ''[[No Sad Songs for Me]]'' || Brad Scott ||
|-
|-
| ''[[The Furies (1950 film)|The Furies]]'' || Rip Darrow ||
| ''[[The Furies (1950 film)|The Furies]]'' || Rip Darrow ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Harriet Craig]]'' || Walter Craig ||
| ''[[Harriet Craig]]'' || Walter Craig ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=3|1951 || ''[[The Great Missouri Raid]]'' || [[Frank James]] ||
| rowspan=3|1951 || ''[[The Great Missouri Raid]]'' || [[Frank James]] ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Rich, Young and Pretty]]'' || Jim Stauton Rogers ||
| ''[[Rich, Young and Pretty]]'' || Jim Stauton Rogers ||
|-
|-
| ''[[The Wild Blue Yonder (1951 film)|The Wild Blue Yonder]]'' || Capt. Harold Calvert ||
| ''[[The Wild Blue Yonder (1951 film)|The Wild Blue Yonder]]'' || Captain Harold Calvert ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=3|1952 || ''[[The Wild North]]'' || Constable Pedley ||
| rowspan=3|1952 || ''[[The Wild North]]'' || Constable Pedley ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Carbine Williams]]'' || Capt. H.T. Peoples ||
| ''[[Carbine Williams]]'' || Captain H.T. Peoples ||
|-
|-
| ''[[My Man and I]]'' || Ansel Ames ||
| ''[[My Man and I]]'' || Ansel Ames ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|1953 || ''[[Jamaica Run]]'' || Todd Dacey ||
| rowspan=2|1953 || ''[[Jamaica Run]]'' || Todd Dacey ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Laughing Anne]]'' || Capt. Davidson ||
| ''[[Laughing Anne]]'' || Captain Davidson ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|1954 || ''[[Hell's Half Acre (1954 film)|Hell's Half Acre]]'' || Chet Chester ||
| rowspan=2|1954 || ''[[Hell's Half Acre (1954 film)|Hell's Half Acre]]'' || Chet Chester ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Rear Window]]'' || Det. Lt. Thomas J. "Tom" Doyle ||
| ''[[Rear Window]]'' || Detective Lieutenant Thomas J. "Tom" Doyle ||
|-
|-
| 1955 || ''[[The Big Knife]]'' || Smiley Coy ||
| 1955 || ''[[The Big Knife]]'' || Smiley Coy ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=4|1956 || ''[[The Killer Is Loose]]'' || Leon Poole ||
| rowspan=4|1956 || ''[[The Killer Is Loose]]'' || Leon Poole ||
|-
|-
| ''[[The Bold and the Brave]]'' || Dave Fairchild ||
| ''[[The Bold and the Brave]]'' || Dave Fairchild ||
|-
|-
| ''[[The Rack (1956 film)|The Rack]]'' || Maj. Sam Moulton ||
| ''[[The Rack (1956 film)|The Rack]]'' || Major Sam Moulton ||
|-
|-
| ''[[The Rainmaker (1956 film)|The Rainmaker]]'' || Deputy Sheriff J.S. File ||
| ''[[The Rainmaker (1956 film)|The Rainmaker]]'' || Deputy Sheriff J.S. File ||
|-
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Loving You (1957 film)|Loving You]]'' || Walter "Tex" Warner ||
| 1957 || ''[[Loving You (1957 film)|Loving You]]'' || Walter "Tex" Warner ||
|-
|-
| 1958 || ''[[The Light in the Forest (film)|The Light in the Forest]]'' || Wilse Owens ||
| rowspan=2|1958 || ''[[The Light in the Forest (film)|The Light in the Forest]]'' || Wilse Owens ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'' || Timber Woods || Season 4 Episode 1: "Poison"
| 1959 || ''[[Alias Jesse James]]'' || [[Jesse James|T.J. "Jesse" James]] ||
|-
|-
| 1964 || ''[[Blood on the Arrow]]'' || Clint Mailer ||
| 1959 || ''[[Alias Jesse James]]'' || [[Jesse James|T.J. "Jesse" James]] ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=6|1966 || ''[[Agent for H.A.R.M.]]'' || Jim Graff ||
| 1964 || ''[[Blood on the Arrow]]'' || Clint Mailer ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=6|1966 || ''[[Agent for H.A.R.M.]]'' || Jim Graff ||
⚫
| ''[[Broken Sabre]]'' || Major Whitcomb || (episodes of ''[[Branded (TV series)|Branded]]'' edited for a feature film)
|-
|-
⚫
| ''[[Broken Sabre]]'' || Major Whitcomb || (episodes of ''[[Branded (TV series)|Branded]]'' edited for a feature film)
| ''[[Women of the Prehistoric Planet]]'' || Adm. David King ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Waco (1966 film)|Waco]]'' || Preacher Sam Stone ||
| ''[[Women of the Prehistoric Planet]]'' || Admiral David King ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Cyborg 2087]]'' || Sheriff ||
| ''[[Waco (1966 film)|Waco]]'' || Preacher Sam Stone ||
|-
|-
| ''[[Picture Mommy Dead]]'' || Lawyer Clayborn ||
| ''[[Cyborg 2087]]'' || Sheriff ||
|-
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Red Tomahawk]]'' || Sy Elkins ||
| ''[[Picture Mommy Dead]]'' || Lawyer Clayborn ||
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|1968 || ''[[Buckskin (film)|Buckskin]]'' || Rep Marlowe ||
| 1967 || ''[[Red Tomahawk]]'' || Sy Elkins ||
|-
|-
| ''The Star Maker'' || Paul Lemont ||
| rowspan=2|1968 || ''[[Buckskin (film)|Buckskin]]'' || Rep Marlowe ||
|-
|-
| 1969 || ''[[The Astro-Zombies]]'' || Holman || (final film role)
| ''The Star Maker'' || Paul Lemont ||
|-
| 1969 || ''[[The Astro-Zombies]]'' || Holman || (final film role)
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
Line 152: Line 146:
| 1952|| ''[[Cavalcade of America]]'' || ''Away Boarders''<ref name=ddr111652/>
| 1952|| ''[[Cavalcade of America]]'' || ''Away Boarders''<ref name=ddr111652/>
|-
|-
| 1952|| ''Broadway Playhouse''|| ''The Big Clock''<ref name=ddr111652>{{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Walter|title=Better Radio Programs for the Week|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2642432/the_decatur_daily_review/|agency=The Decatur Daily Review|date=November 16, 1952|page=48|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = June 18, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref>
| 1952|| ''Broadway Playhouse''|| ''The Big Clock''<ref name=ddr111652>{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Walter |title=Better Radio Programs for the Week |newspaper=[[Herald & Review|Decatur Daily Review]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2642432/the_decatur_daily_review/ |date=November 16, 1952 |page=48 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 18, 2015}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 1953|| ''[[The United States Steel Hour#Theatre Guild on the Air|Theatre Guild on the Air]]'' || ''Kate Fennigate''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Walter|title=Better Radio Programs for the Week|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2706063/the_decatur_daily_review/|agency=The Decatur Daily Review|date=May 24, 1953|page=48|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = June 28, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref>
| 1953|| ''[[The United States Steel Hour#Theatre Guild on the Air|Theatre Guild on the Air]]'' || ''Kate Fennigate''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Walter |title=Better Radio Programs for the Week |newspaper=Decatur Daily Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2706063/the_decatur_daily_review/ |date=May 24, 1953 |page=48 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=June 28, 2015}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 1953|| ''[[Stars over Hollywood]]'' || ''Bus Driver's Holiday''<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kirby|first1=Walter|title=Better Radio Programs for the Week|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2759320/the_decatur_daily_review/|agency=The Decatur Daily Review|date=October 11, 1953|page=50|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = July 6, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref>
| 1953|| ''[[Stars over Hollywood]]'' || ''Bus Driver's Holiday''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kirby |first1=Walter |title=Better Radio Programs for the Week |newspaper=Decatur Daily Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2759320/the_decatur_daily_review/ |date=October 11, 1953 |page=50 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=July 6, 2015}}</ref>
|}
|}


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==External links==
==External links==
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{{Commons category}}


* {{AFI person | 154353-Wendell-Corey }}
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* {{Commons category}}

* {{IMDb name}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Tcmdb name | 39170%7C154353 }}

* {{AllMovie name}}
* {{AllMovie name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{Find a Grave}}
* {{Find a Grave}}



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[[Category:Presidents of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]
[[Category:Federal Theatre Project people]]
[[Category:Federal Theatre Project people]]
[[Category:Paramount Pictures contract players]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players]]

Revision as of 21:12, 24 June 2024

Wendell Corey
Corey in the trailer for The Search (1948)
Member of the Santa Monica City Council
In office
1965–1968
Personal details
Born
Wendell Reid Corey

(1914-03-20)March 20, 1914
Dracut, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedNovember 8, 1968(1968-11-08) (aged 54)
Woodland Hills, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Alice Wiley
​
(m. 1939)​
Children4

Wendell Reid Corey (March 20, 1914 – November 8, 1968) was an American stage, film, and television actor. He was President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a board member of the Screen Actors Guild, and also served on the Santa Monica City Council.

Biography

Early years

Corey was born in Dracut, Massachusetts,[1] the son of Milton Rothwell Corey (October 24, 1879 – October 23, 1951) and Julia Etta McKenney (April 11, 1882 – June 16, 1947). His father was a Congregationalist clergyman and an actor who appeared in Rawhide as Dr Tucker. Wendell was educated in Springfield, Massachusetts. His ancestors included U.S. Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams.[1]

Stage

After graduating from high school in Springfield, Corey sold washing machines and refrigerators at a Springfield department store, when he stopped by to see a friend who was acting at the Springfield Repertory Theater.

The group needed an actor to play the role of a Swedish janitor in Street Scene. Corey took the role and stayed with the theater group for a year, working in the department store during the day and acting at night. He went into acting full time after that with a theater group in Holyoke. He went on to serve a long apprenticeship in the theater, producing, directing and acting in hundreds of plays in summer stock.[2][3] Corey also was employed by the Federal Theatre Project".[4]

Film

While appearing as the cynical newspaperman in Elmer Rice's comedy Dream Girl (1945), he was seen by producer Hal Wallis, who persuaded him to sign a contract with Paramount and pursue a motion picture career in Hollywood.[5] Corey's feature film debut came as a gangster in Wallis's Desert Fury (1947) starring Burt Lancaster, John Hodiak, Lizabeth Scott, and Mary Astor. In 1947 he appeared in The Voice of the Turtle on stage with Margaret Sullavan in England.[6]

Wallis promoted him to co-star status in The File on Thelma Jordon (1950) where he appeared opposite Barbara Stanwyck. Corey had a good part in Columbia's No Sad Songs for Me (1950) playing Margaret Sullavan's husband.[7]He co-starred with Lana Turner in A Life of Her Own but pulled out after only a few days claiming he was miscast. He was replaced by Ray Milland.[8] Corey had one of his most memorable roles when he played Lt. Thomas Doyle in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954) starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly. He toured the US on stage in The Caine Mutiny Court Martial in 1954.[9]

Television

Corey and cast of the 1959 summer replacement TV series Peck's Bad Girl

Corey portrayed Lou Gehrig in "The Lou Gehrig Story" for the television series Climax! (1955). He was a series lead in Harbor Command (1957–1958) for which Corey starred with Casey Walters.[10]

Other activities

Corey was President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1961 to 1963 and was a member of the board of directors of the Screen Actors Guild. A Republican campaigner in national politics since 1956, Corey was elected to the Santa Monica City Council in April 1965.[11] Corey supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election.[12]

Death

Corey died November 8, 1968, at age 54 at the Motion Picture & Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.[13] Initial reports stated the cause of death was liver disease, however the likely cause was cirrhosis of the liver as Corey's alcoholism was well-known.[2][14] Funeral services were held at First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica, California.[15]

Walk of Fame

Wendell Corey has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame awarded for his work in TV, at 6328 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles.[16]

Filmography

Radio appearances

Year Program Episode/source
1952 Cavalcade of America Away Boarders[17]
1952 Broadway Playhouse The Big Clock[17]
1953 Theatre Guild on the Air Kate Fennigate[18]
1953 Stars over Hollywood Bus Driver's Holiday[19]

References

  1. ^ a b Corby, Jane (January 22, 1950). "Screenings". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 27. Retrieved June 18, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  2. ^ a b "Veteran Stage, TV, Film Actor Wendell Corey Dead at Age 54". The Boston Globe. United Press International. p. 22. Retrieved 15 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Short Illness Claims Life Of Film Actor". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. November 9, 1968. p. 8A. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Wendell Corey Dies Friday; Liver Ailment". Lawrence Journal-World. November 9, 1968. p. 7. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Film Scout Found Wendell Corey". Times Pictorial. Dublin. November 11, 1950. p. 5.
  6. ^ Schallert, Edwin (May 5, 1948). "Astaire Will Prepare New Dance Routines". Los Angeles Times. p. 22.
  7. ^ Schallert, Edwin (October 7, 1949). "Wendell Corey Male Star in 'No Sad Songs'; Erickson Gets Ace Role". Los Angeles Times. p. A7.
  8. ^ Brady, Thomas F. (February 18, 1950). "Ray Milland Gets Metro Movit Lead: Replaces Wendell Corey, Who Withdraws From 'Life of Her Own' During Filming Columbia Releases Ireland Of Local Origin". The New York Times. p. 9.
  9. ^ Scheuer, Philip K. (July 18, 1954). "Corey Hits Road With 'Mutiny'". Los Angeles Times. p. D1.
  10. ^ Terrace, Vincent (November 7, 2013). Television Introductions: Narrated TV Program Openings since 1949. Scarecrow Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-8108-9250-7 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ "Wendell Corey Wins City Council Seat". Park City Daily News. Associated Press. April 12, 1965. p. 9. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  12. ^ Critchlow, Donald T. (2013-10-21). When Hollywood Was Right: How Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Big Business Remade American Politics. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-1076-5028-2.
  13. ^ "Wendell Corey Dies; Veteran Movie Actor". The Morning Record. November 9, 1968. p. 5. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  14. ^ Duda, Rebecca A. (April 13, 2019). "From Dracut to Hollywood–Wendell Corey". Discovering the Historic Merrimack Valley.
  15. ^ "Wendell Corey Services Held". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. November 12, 1968. p. 2. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  16. ^ "Wendell Corey". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  17. ^ a b Kirby, Walter (November 16, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". Decatur Daily Review. p. 48. Retrieved June 18, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Kirby, Walter (May 24, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". Decatur Daily Review. p. 48. Retrieved June 28, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Kirby, Walter (October 11, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". Decatur Daily Review. p. 50. Retrieved July 6, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wendell Corey.
Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by President of Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences
1961–1963 		Succeeded by
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