About Me
As a boy, I was frequently in trouble, and left home while still in my teens. I was famous for fabricating fantastic tales about my life, claiming to have once escaped from a Georgia chain gang.In 1940 I married Dorothy Spence. Then I moved to California, and found work with Lockheed Aircraft. My next job was with the Long Beach Theatre Guild, and this led to me becoming a movie extra and bit player, primarily in war movies and Westerns.My supporting role in 'The Human Comedy' (1943) led to a contract with RKO. Two years later, I starred in 'The Story of G.I. Joe' and earned my first and only Oscar nomination. Up to that point, I had been considered little more than a "beef" actor. LOL I was also drafted that year, and served eight months in the military.Following My discharge, I soon returned to movies. My role as a woman's former lover, who may or may not have killed her new husband, in 'When Strangers Marry' foreshadowed my import in the developing "Film Noir" genre. My first important noir was 'Out of the Past', a surprise hit that made me a real star.I was arrested in August 1948 for allegedly possessing marijuana and spent 60 days in jail. that was fun,..let me tell ya! I was also involved in several public scuffles.Though well known for noir, I was versatile, having played in romances, literary dramas, and straight dramas. During the 1960s, I had only a few notable film roles, but I continued playing leads through the 1970s, including a double stint as detective Phillip Marlowe, in 'Farewell My Lovely' and 'The
Big Sleep'.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
