Stuart Whitman


Actor

About

Also Known As
Stuart Maxwell Whitman, Kip Whitman, Stuart M. Whitman
Birth Place
San Francisco, California, USA
Born
February 01, 1928

Biography

Dark-haired and rugged with sensitive eyes, Stuart Whitman never became a superstar, but, particularly in the late 1950s and through the 60s, was an action hero of motion pictures and TV, thriving in "The Mark" (1961), for which he earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor, and in "Cimarron Strip" (CBS, 1967-1971), one of the last of the successful TV Westerns. Although reportedly...

Photos & Videos

Notes

Whitman is a member of the California Alley Club, an association of former boxers, wrestlers, and veteran actors.

Some sources give 1926 as the year of Mr. Whitman's birth.

Biography

Dark-haired and rugged with sensitive eyes, Stuart Whitman never became a superstar, but, particularly in the late 1950s and through the 60s, was an action hero of motion pictures and TV, thriving in "The Mark" (1961), for which he earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor, and in "Cimarron Strip" (CBS, 1967-1971), one of the last of the successful TV Westerns. Although reportedly worth more than $100 million thanks to investments, Whitman has continued to act, perhaps out of a genuine love of his craft, although the quality of his projects has varied.

In a career that has spanned nearly 50 years, Whitman, who had been an amateur boxer, has appeared in more than 75 feature films, making his debut in a bit role in "When Worlds Collide" (1951). He continued in relatively small roles like a football player in "The All-American" and a sergeant in "The Veils of Baghdad" (both 1953) and a bandit in "Passion" (1954). Whitman finally began to get some real notice as one of "Darby's Rangers" (1958), and subsequently played the circus roustabout cad who woos Joanne Woodward in "The Sound and the Fury" (1959) and Boaz, second husband to the biblical Ruth and ancestor of King David in "The Story of Ruth" (1960). He had good opportunities in "The Comancheros" and "Francis of Assisi" (both 1961) before his breakthrough role as Jim Fuller in "The Mark." Cast against type as a sexually-confused man with a domineering mother and an ineffectual father who is attracted to young girls, he delivered an excellent, nuanced performance. (This study of "deviance" was also a breakthrough for Hollywood and showed the decline of the Breen Office and Motion Picture Code, which would be replaced by the ratings system in five years.)

Despite his Oscar nomination, Whitman remained typecast in roles that played off his machismo, like the army lieutenant in the all-star "The Longest Day" (1962). Exceptions included "Shock Treatment" (1964), in which he was an out-of-work actor who goes undercover at a mental institution, and "Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines" (1965), as the hero of a ribald intrigue. "Sands of the Kalahari" (1965) had Whitman leading air crash survivors through monkey-mad terrain, but was well received. but not so "An American Dream" (1966), based on the Norman Mailer novel about a murderous TV commentator. Turning to the small screen, Whitman co-produced and starred in "Cimarron Strip" (CBS, 1967-71). When he attempted to return to features after the series, he found a changed Hollywood and found himself taking leads and second leads in low-budget independent fare. He was the bigamist sheriff picked up by the ladies of "Crazy Mama" (1975), a New World production which has since become rediscovered because it was one of Jonathan Demme's early directorial efforts. "Eaten Alive" (1976), however, was a silly yarn about a psychopath with a crocodile on his front lawn directed by Tobe Hooper. He got a chance to play a real-life hero, oil well fire fighter Red Adair in "Oil" (1976) but by 1980 was reduced to playing Rev. Jim Johnson in "Guyana: Cult of the Damned," an exploitative and lackluster fictional dramatization of the Jonestown massacre. Whitman's films in the 80s and 90s had titles such as "Demonoid" (1981), and "Vultures in Paradise" (1984). By the 90s, he was playing decidedly supporting roles such as in "Trial By Jury" (1994).

The small screen, however, offered meatier roles. In the 50s, he appeared in 26 episodes of the syndicated series "Highway Patrol" playing sidekick to Broderick Crawford, and also appeared in episodes of network series. Whitman made his TV movie debut in 1970 playing a heart surgeon who uncovers sinister forces at a research foundation in "The Man Who Wanted to Live Forever" (ABC). He starred in an Irwin Allen would-be pilot, playing a "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea"-type admiral in "City Beneath the Sea" (NBC, 1971) and co-starred in the miniseries "Harold Robbins' 'The Pirate'" (CBS, 1978). He was also active in guest spots in the 70s and 80s, making several appearances on "Murder, She Wrote" (CBS). In 1990, he had a recurring role on "Knots Landing" (CBS) creating tension in the life of Paige Matheson, and he has continued to appear in TV-movies, more recently as a stroke victim still trying to run a ranch in "Wounded Heart" (USA Network, 1995). Closer to the fans of Whitman's rough-'n'-tumble era of filmmaking, he has made several guest appearances, beginning in 1994, on "Walker, Texas Ranger" (CBS) playing an old pal of Chuck Norris.

Filmography

 

Cast (Feature Film)

The President's Man (2000)
Sandman (1997)
Wounded Heart (1995)
Jake Lance
Deadly Reunion (1995)
Land of Milk and Honey (1995)
Lightning in a Bottle (1994)
Improper Conduct (1994)
Frost
Trial by Jury (1994)
Private Wars (1993)
Alexander Winters
Smooth Talker (1992)
Lt Gallagher
The Color of Evening (1991)
Omega Cop (1990)
Dr Latimer
Heaven and Earth (1990)
Narration
Deadly Reactor (1989)
Duke
Moving Target (1989)
Joe Frank
Once Upon a Texas Train (1988)
Stillwatch (1987)
Beverly Hills Cowgirl Blues (1985)
El Tesoro del Amazones (1985)
Gringo
Deadly Intruder (1985)
Captain Pritchett
The Delta Fox (1983)
Counselor
Butterfly (1981)
Reverend Rivers
The Monster Club (1981)
Cuba Crossing (1979)
Guyana: Cult of the Damned (1979)
Go West, Young Girl (1978)
Deputy Shreeve
Run For the Roses (1978)
Charlie
La Mujer de la Tierra Calienta (1978)
Maniac (1977)
The White Buffalo (1977)
The Thoroughbreds (1977)
Ruby (1977)
Vince Kemper
Eaten Alive (1976)
Mean Johnny Barrows (1976)
Crazy Mama (1976)
Strange Shadows in an Empty Room (1976)
Captain Tony Saitta
Call Him Mr. Shatter (1975)
Shatter
Las Vegas Lady (1975)
Vic
Welcome to Arrow Beach (1974)
Deputy Maynard Rakes
The Man Who Died Twice (1973)
The Cat Creature (1973)
Lieutenant Marco
Night of the Lepus (1972)
Roy Bennett
The Woman Hunter (1972)
Paul Carter
Captain Apache (1971)
Griffin
City Beneath The Sea (1971)
Revenge (1971)
The Invincible Six (1970)
Tex
The Last Escape (1970)
Capt. Lee Mitchell
Sweet Hunters (1969)
Prisoner
Devil's Angels (1967)
Roy
An American Dream (1966)
Stephen Rojack
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines; or How I Flew From London to Paris in 25 Hours and 11 Minutes (1965)
Orvil Newton
Signpost to Murder (1965)
Alex Forrester
Sands of the Kalahari (1965)
O'Brien
Rio Conchos (1964)
Captain Haven
Shock Treatment (1964)
Dale Nelson
The Day and the Hour (1964)
Capt. Allen Morley
The Longest Day (1962)
Lieutenant Sheen
Convicts 4 (1962)
Principal keeper
The Mark (1961)
Jim Fuller
The Comancheros (1961)
Paul Regret
The Fiercest Heart (1961)
Steve Bates
Francis of Assisi (1961)
Paolo
Murder, Inc. (1960)
Joey [Collins]
The Story of Ruth (1960)
Boaz
The Sound and the Fury (1959)
Charles Busch
These Thousand Hills (1959)
Tom Ping
Hound-Dog Man (1959)
Blackie Scantling
Ten North Frederick (1958)
Charley Bongiorno
China Doll (1958)
Dan O'Neill
The Decks Ran Red (1958)
Leroy Martin
Darby's Rangers (1958)
Hank Bishop
War Drums (1957)
Johnny Smith
Johnny Trouble (1957)
Johnny Chandler
Crime of Passion (1957)
Laboratory technician
Hell Bound (1957)
Eddie Mason
The Girl in Black Stockings (1957)
Prentiss
Bombers B-52 (1957)
Weisberg
Hold Back the Night (1956)
Radio operator
Seven Men from Now (1956)
Lt. Collins
Interrupted Melody (1955)
Man on the beach
King of the Carnival (1955)
Brigadoon (1954)
Man in bar
Prisoner of War (1954)
Captain
Passion (1954)
Bernal
Rhapsody (1954)
Dove
Return from the Sea (1954)
New j.g.
Silver Lode (1954)
Wicker
Walking My Baby Back Home (1953)
Patient
The Man from the Alamo (1953)
Orderly
The Veils of Bagdad (1953)
Sergeant
All I Desire (1953)
Dick
Appointment in Honduras (1953)
Telegrapher
All American (1953)
Zip Parker
One Minute to Zero (1952)
Officer
Barbed Wire (1952)
Checkers
When Worlds Collide (1951)
Student
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Sentry

Cast (Special)

Intertect (1973)
John Mckennon

Cast (TV Mini-Series)

Second Chances (1998)
Mob Boss (1990)
Hemingway (1988)
Condominium (1980)
The Seekers (1979)
Women in White (1979)
The Last Convertible (1979)
Harold Robbins' The Pirate (1978)

Life Events

1951

Film debut in "When Worlds Collide"

1956

Appeared in 26 episodes of the syndicated series "Highway Patrol"

1958

Had key role in "Darby's Rangers"

1961

Earned Academy Award nomination as Best Actor in "The Mark"

1962

Was in all-star cast of "The Longest Day"

1970

Made TV-movie debut in "The Man Who Wanted to Live Forever" (ABC)

1978

Starred in "Harold Robbins' 'The Pirate'" (CBS)

1980

Played Rev. Jim Johnson in "Guyana, Cult of the Damned"

1990

Had recurring role on the CBS primetime soap "Knots Landing"

1994

Made first of several appearances on "Walker, Texas Ranger" (CBS)

1995

Co-starred in "Wounded Heart" (USA Network)

1998

Received star number 2,102 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Photo Collections

Night of the Lepus - Pressbook
Here is the original campaign book (pressbook) for Night of the Lepus (1972). Pressbooks were sent to exhibitors and theater owners to aid them in publicizing the film's run in their theater.

Videos

Movie Clip

Night Of The Lepus (1972) -- (Movie Clip) Rabbit War Who would believe just rabbits could take over a whole region, Paul Dunphy as the newscaster explains about Australia, in the opening to the far-fetched MGM eco-thriller Night Of The Lepus, 1972, starring Janet Leigh and Stuart Whitman.
Night Of The Lepus (1972) -- (Movie Clip) Just A Case Of Mild Shock Newly acquainted Amanda (Melanie Fullerton) and Jackie (Chris Morrell) are killing their time while her scientist parents (Janet Leigh, Stuart Whitman) worry that their rabbit control scheme may be in trouble, so they explore the mine shaft, and it’s not a dream, in Night Of The Lepus, 1972.
Night Of The Lepus (1972) -- (Movie Clip) That's The Cry Of Fear We’ve just learned that the Bennetts (Stuart Whitman, Janet Leigh) are a “young” couple doing insect research in Arizona, with their daughter (Melanie Fullerton), when their pal Elgin from the university arrives to tell them about the rabbit problem, early in Night Of The Lepus, 1972.
Night Of The Lepus (1972) -- (Movie Clip) We'll Have To Get Larger Cages Married scientists Stuart Whitman and Janet Leigh aren’t yet worried that the rabbit control serum injections they’ve begun will be troublesome, while cooperative rancher Hillman (Rory Calhoun) arranges a fire-break, then they see suspicious tracks, in Night Of The Lepus, 1972.
Night Of The Lepus (1972) -- (Movie Clip) It Only Takes One Rancher Cole (Rory Calhoun) and scientist Roy (Stuart Whitman) are exploring the mine shaft to see if there really are giant rabbits, while his wife Gerry (Janet Leigh) and ranch-hand Jud (Chuck Hayward) monitor progress, and we see the first big attack, in Night Of The Lepus, 1972.
Decks Ran Red, The -- (Movie Clip) Does It Bother The Captain? Worried first-time captain Rumill (James Mason) gets dominated by cook's wife Mahia (Dorothy Dandridge), while conspiring crewmen Scott (Broderick Crawford) and Leroy (Stuart Whitman) intimidate their stooge Mace (David Cross), in Andrew L. Stone's The Decks Ran Red, 1958.
Mark, The (1961) -- That's The Blue Boy Still mysterious as Fuller (Stuart Whitman), having taken a room in an un-named English city, chats with landlady Mrs. Cartwright (Brenda De Banzie) and husband (Maurice Denham), some emphasis on a print of a famous painting, early in The Mark, 1961, co-starring Rod Steiger and Maria Schell.
Mark, The (1961) -- She Knows You've Been In Prison We've just learned from boss Clive (Donald Wolfit) that our protagonist Fuller (Stuart Whitman) has been in prison and was hired on his doctors' recommendation, his crime still not revealed, when executive assistant Mrs. Leighton (Maria Schell) is introduced, in The Mark, 1961.
Mark, The (1961) -- This Is Called Group Therapy We still don't know what crime Fuller (Stuart Whitman) committed, as he visits his Doc McNally (Rod Steiger), as a condition of his parole, having taken a new job in a new town, with a somewhat revealing flashback, in The Mark, 1961.
Decks Ran Red, The -- (Movie Clip) So Exotically Beautiful Newly promoted Captain Rumill (James Mason) narrating, realizing he screwed up letting the cook bring his Maori wife (Dorothy Dandridge) along, the treacherous crew (Broderick Crawford, Hank Patterson, Stuart Whitman) already rebelling, in Andrew L. Stone's The Decks Ran Red, 1958.
Convicts 4 -- (Movie Clip) I'm The One That's Dying Death row guards (Adam Williams, John Dierkes) showing some respect for inmate John Resko (Ben Gazarra) who's minutes from the chair, in writer-director Millard Kaufman's bio-pic Convicts 4, 1962.
Girl in Black Stockings, The -- (Movie Clip) It Was Horrible! David (Lex Barker) means to rescue Beth (Anne Bancroft) who's beginning to lose her bearings in The Girl in Black Stockings, 1957.

Trailer

Bibliography

Notes

Whitman is a member of the California Alley Club, an association of former boxers, wrestlers, and veteran actors.

Some sources give 1926 as the year of Mr. Whitman's birth.