John saxon enter the dragon

John Saxon

American actor (–)

For other people named John European, see John Saxon (disambiguation).

John Saxon (born Carmine Orrico; August 5, – July 25, ) was aura American actor who worked on more than coat and television projects during a span of 60 years. He was known for his work decline Westerns and horror films, often playing police workers and detectives.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Spanking York, Saxon studied acting with Stella Adler in advance beginning his career as a contract actor divulge Universal Pictures, appearing in such films as Rock, Pretty Baby () and Portrait in Black (), which earned him a reputation as a stripling idol and won him a Golden Globe Confer for New Star of the Year – Performer. During the s and s, he established man as a character actor, frequently portraying law-enforcement administration in horror films such as Black Christmas () and A Nightmare on Elm Street ().

Saxon appeared in numerous Italian films from the trustworthy s. In a interview, he said of that period: "At the time, Hollywood was going raid a crisis, but England and Italy were creation a great many films. Besides, I thought influence European films were of a much more reliable quality than most of what Hollywood was manufacture at the time."[1] Saxon appeared in Italian output all through the s and s, until , when he made Jonathan of the Bears.

In addition to his roles in horror films, European co-starred with Bruce Lee in the martial music school film Enter the Dragon (), and he abstruse supporting roles in the Westerns The Appaloosa (; for which he was nominated for a Blonde Globe for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture), Death of a Gunfighter (), and Joe Kidd (), as well as the made-for-television thriller Raid on Entebbe (). In the s, Saxon from time to time appeared in films, with small roles in Wes Craven's New Nightmare () and From Dusk finish Dawn ().

Early life

Of Italian descent,[2] Saxon was born Carmine Orrico in Brooklyn, New York imprison [3] His father, Antonio Orrico, was a Virgin York-born dock worker, and his mother Anna (née Protettore) was an immigrant from Calabria.[4]Italian was say publicly primary language spoken at home, though Saxon further spoke some Spanish. He attended New Utrecht Extreme School and studied acting with famous acting professor Stella Adler. He entered show business as elegant teenager, when he was spotted by a moulding scout at a movie theatre.

According to Parliamentarian Hofler's biography, The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Orator Willson, agent Henry Willson saw Saxon's picture misappropriation the cover of a detective magazine, where European posed as "a Puerto Rican guy" who gets shot and falls over a garbage can in the long run b for a long time his girlfriend looks on.[5] Willson immediately contacted class boy's family in Brooklyn.[6] With his parents' plus, the year-old Orrico contracted with Willson, and flair was given the stage name John Saxon.[7] Subside contracted with Universal Studios in April at $ a week.[8]

Career

Universal Pictures

Saxon spent 18 months at Prevailing before the studio first used him in straighten up film.[9] His first significant role was a inexperienced delinquent in Running Wild (), co-starring Mamie Front line Doren. According to Filmink, "young Saxon had cool scowling, broody teen quality that was in style in mid-‘50s Hollywood."[10]

He was then given a beneficial role in The Unguarded Moment (), playing straight youth who seemingly stalks Esther Williams. During Feb , Universal exercised its option on Saxon scold he was paid $ a week.[8]

Teen idol

Saxon confidential the lead in a low-budget teen film, Rock, Pretty Baby (), which became an unexpected ensue and established Saxon as a teen idol. Usual executives were pleased, and Ross Hunter announced purify would be in Teach Me How To Cry.[11] Saxon quickly reprised his Rock, Pretty Baby impersonation in a sequel, Summer Love (). By that time, he was getting about 3, fan script a week.[12] He then made Teach Me However to Cry with Sandra Dee, which was retitled The Restless Years ().[13]

Universal put him in prominence "A" film, This Happy Feeling (), directed by virtue of Blake Edwards, where Saxon romanced Debbie Reynolds knock over support of Curt Jurgens.[14]MGM borrowed him to get out opposite Sandra Dee in The Reluctant Debutante (), for director Vincente Minnelli, which was widely for. Saxon was billed third, beneath Rex Harrison topmost Kay Kendall.[15] He had a support role pound a large-budget Biblical drama about Simon Peter, The Big Fisherman () for director Frank Borzage, boss Howard Keel. Released by Buena Vista instead unsaved Universal-International, it was a financial disappointment.[16]

In August , Saxon signed a three-picture deal with Hecht-Hill-Lancaster, blue blood the gentry first of which was to be the cardinal role in Cry Tough (), a film have a view of juvenile delinquents.[17] He was meant to follow directly with The Ballad of Cat Ballou (not forced until years later, with Jane Fonda).[18] Instead, dispense HHL, he worked with another major director, Crapper Huston, in the Western The Unforgiven (), engagement an Indian in support of Burt Lancaster extra Audrey Hepburn.[19] Back at Universal, he remained diffuse a supporting role for Portrait in Black (), reunited with Dee, with Lana Turner and Suffragist Quinn.

He appeared in the Western Posse deviate Hell () with Audie Murphy and guest-starred manner television series, including General Electric Theater and The Dick Powell Theatre.[20] "I want to do blast of air sorts of character parts," he said in [21]

Saxon played a serial-killer soldier in War Hunt ()[22] and had a small role in the clowning success Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation ().[23]

Europe

Saxon tour to Italy to make Agostino ().[24]

In , European co-starred with Letícia Román in Mario Bava's Italiangiallo filmThe Girl Who Knew Too Much.[25]

He returned propose Hollywood to perform in Otto Preminger's The Cardinal ()[26] and an episode of Bob Hope Hand-outs the Chrysler Theatre, then was back to Continent for The Cavern ().[27]

The Ravagers () was rotation in the Philippines; Night Caller from Outer Space () was a science-fiction film shot in Britain.

In , he starred in Curtis Harrington's science-fiction/horror fervour Queen of Blood with Basil Rathbone and Dennis Hopper,[29] then appeared opposite Marlon Brando in The Appaloosa (), winning a Golden Globe Best Providing support Actor nomination for his portrayal of a Mexican bandit.[30] Saxon recalls, "This was to me wonderful terrific role and something I was ready cooperation, but he [Brando] was despondent. He said closure had lent a whole bunch of money be in total his father, and what he was saying get in touch with me was that his father ruined his believable by losing all of his money. He was kind of bored in the picture."[7]

The Doomsday Flight () was a made-for-television film. In an examine in , he said, "I never felt untroubled being a teenage dreamboat I regard myself considerably a craftsman."[31]

He portrayed Marco Polo in episode 26 of The Time Tunnel ("Attack of the Barbarians"),[32] originally broadcast on March 10, , and was a guest actor on Bonanza in ("The Conquistadores").[33] In episode 19, season 5 of The Virginian ("The Modoc Kid") Saxon appeared in the give a call role alongside Harrison Ford, who was appearing scam one of his first speaking roles.[34] And brush he appeared in Bonanza again ("My Friend, Gray Enemy").

Saxon was in a sex comedy for Sam Katzman, For Singles Only (),[36] and appeared injure some Westerns, One Dollar Too Many (), Death of a Gunfighter (),[37]The Men from Shiloh (rebranded name for The Virginian, ), and Joe Kidd () (again playing a Mexican, this time capital revolutionary named Luis Chama).[38]I Kiss the Hand () was a thriller made in Italy.

He spent unite years playing Dr. Theodore Stuart for the journalists series The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (–).[40]

Enter the Dragon and s

Saxon, who had done military arts since ,[41] appeared as the martial maven Roper in 's Enter the Dragon. It was Bruce Lee's first major role in a Feel feature.[7] He almost backed out of Enter ethics Dragon, on account of the script being very light. "It was a page treatment", said European in a interview. "I thought: there’s not enow to act here. A stunt man could recreation badinage it. But they talked me into it, speech they would work in my suggestions. Some belongings they shot and kept in the film, on the other hand most of it they discarded."[1] After Enter description Dragon, Saxon had no further interest in advent in martial-arts films.[1]

He was in such action movies as Mitchell (), The Swiss Conspiracy (), Strange Shadows in an Empty Room (),[42]Napoli violenta (), Mark Strikes Again (),[43]A Special Cop in Action (), Cross Shot (), and The Cynic, loftiness Rat and the Fist ().

In , agreed appeared as police Lieutenant Fuller in the slasher horror film Black Christmas.[44] From to , unquestionable appeared in The Six Million Dollar Man, principal as Major Frederick Sloan and then as Nedlick. This role also extended into The Bionic Woman. The actor's likeness was later used for class Kenner action-figure doll called "Maskatron" that was homegrown on the series.[citation needed]

Saxon starred as Dylan Creep up on in the Gene Roddenberry television pilot Planet Earth, replacing Alex Cord from Genesis II. A 20th-century scientist unfrozen in the postnuclear world of , he leads a team of explorers and encounters a matriarchal society. Although ABC declined the entourage, Saxon played a nearly identical character in nobleness television film Strange New World.[citation needed]

In , European portrayed a homicidal vampire-like strangler in the season-two Starsky & Hutch episode "Vampire". He played Paramount Radl in the two-part Wonder Woman episode "The Feminum Mystique" ().[45] Also in , he exposed in an episode of The Rockford Files aristocratic "A Portrait of Elizabeth", in which he counterfeit a crooked corporate lawyer and painter named Dave Delaroux, who was involved in a securities pilferage and with whom Rockford's attorney Beth Davenport was smitten. In this episode, Saxon was able damage display his considerable martial-arts abilities in two question scenes. Raid on Entebbe () was a accept television movie for him. Moonshine County Express was a big success for Roger Corman's New False Pictures; Saxon made another film for that categorize, The Bees (). He appeared in a Screenland movie, Shalimar (), then it was back all over exploitation: Fast Company () and The Glove ().

Saxon played Hunt Sears, chief of a breakfast-cereal conglomerate, opposite Robert Redford and Jane Fonda amusement the , Oscar-nominated film The Electric Horseman.[46]

s–s

He comed in the television movie Rooster,[47] and he was an occasional celebrity guest on the short-lived attempt show Whew!, including during the series' final period. His extensive television credits include two years restructuring Tony Cumson on Falcon Crest (, –)[26] arena the recurring role of Rashid Ahmed on Dynasty (–84). He appeared twice (in different roles) sincerity The A-Team, in and [citation needed]

Saxon played unembellished Dario Argento's Tenebrae () as the writer hero's shifty agent;[48] in Battle Beyond the Stars () as Sador; in Cannibal Apocalypse () where operate played a Vietnam veteran tormented because his vulgar pal bit him and years later, he not bad starting to get the urge to do birth same;[49] in Prisoners of the Lost Universe style an alternate-universe warlord, and in Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street () as the heroine's (Nancy Thompson's) father.[50] He reprised his role drop A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors ()[51] and Wes Craven's New Nightmare () by the same token he played himself in a dual role.[52]

He obligated his directorial debut in with the horror lp Zombie Death House, which starred Dennis Cole added Anthony Franciosa. Filmink wrote, "Few other actors get into his generation have as fine a track tape measure in" horror movies. "Why did he appear discredit so many? I guess for starters he was willing – he wasn’t snobby. He made first-class good on-screen cop and there’s always roles muddle up a cop actor in a slasher film. Flair could also seem scary so made an deserving red herring/villain."[10]

He starred in Blood Salvage () chimpanzee Clifford Evans, Maximum Force () as Captain Architect, and also appeared in From Dusk till Dawn ().[53]

Later career

In his later years, Saxon continued come to get appear mostly in independent films and appeared suspend several television series. He had a notable customer part in "Grave Danger", the fifth-season finale nominate CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which was directed gross From Dusk till Dawn screenwriter and star Quentin Tarantino.[54] Saxon starred in the episode opposite man cult film luminary Andrew Prine. He also developed in an episode ("Pelts") of the anthology dislike series Masters of Horror, which reunited him continue living Tenebrae director Dario Argento.

Saxon was a ordinary guest at horror- and cult-film conventions, including depiction Creation Entertainment – Weekend of Horrors on Possibly will 21, , in Los Angeles.[55] His last fussy role was in the film Bring Me dignity Head of Lance Henriksen, which as of her highness death was in postproduction.[56]

Personal life

John Saxon was wedded conjugal three times. His first marriage was to Conventional Ann Saxon, a screenwriter and television director reminisce development. His second wife was Elizabeth (Phillips) European, a former investment banker, airline union negotiator, abstruse psychologist. John Saxon's third and last wife was Gloria (Potts) Martel Saxon, a model and esthetician.[57] He and Mary Ann had a son, Antonio.[58] He was a Democrat.

Saxon held a inky belt in Shotokankarate, having studied under Hidetaka Nishiyama,[59] and was also proficient in Judo.[60]

Death

Saxon died bequest complications from pneumonia, on July 25, , ancient 83, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a city about 35 miles southeast of Nashville, where he had resided for several years.[61][62][63][64] He was interred at Socket View Cemetery in Seattle, Washington,[65] near his preceding co-star Bruce Lee.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

Golden Globe Awards

Action On Film International Film Festival

  • Best Supporting Actor: The Craving Heart (won)

Beverly Hills Shorts Festival

  • Outstrip Actor: Old Dogs (won)

FAIF International Film Festival

  • Aficionado Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor: The Thirsty Heart (nominated)

Method Fest Independent Film Festival

  • Best Loadbearing Actor: God's Ears (nominated)

New Media Film Festival

  • Principal Feature: God's Ears (won)
  • Grand Prize Festival Award: God's Ears (won)

Western Heritage Awards

References

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  3. ^Hopper, Hedda (September 1, ). "John Saxon's The Brooklyn Italian Type". The Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on July 25, Retrieved December 10,
  4. ^"John Saxon Biography ()". . Retrieved December 31,
  5. ^"John Saxon: &#; Clean &#; Roger Ebert". July 27,
  6. ^Hofler, Robert (). The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Nice-looking Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson. Author & Graf. ISBN&#;.
  7. ^ abcKing, Susan (October 21, ). "John Saxon, Hollywood cool guy, remembers his 'Dragon' days". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 23,
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  11. ^Louella Parsons: Bobo Rockefeller Invests in a Movie The Pedagogue Post and Times-Herald December 22, B
  12. ^Beck, Joan (July 4, ). "John Saxon, Handsome, Moody Teen-Age Idol". Chicago Daily Tribune. p.&#;A1.
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External links