Glenn Ford - Obituary
Obituary by Jack Foley
HOLLYWOOD legend Glenn Ford has died at his home in Beverly Hills at the age of 90.
The actor, best known for roles in Gilda, Blackboard Jungle, 3:10 To Yuma, Midway and as Superman’s adoptive father, was found dead by paramedics. His health had been failing for some time.
Ford was born Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford in Canada in 1916 but moved to California as a child and joined Columbia Pictures in 1939.
He enjoyed a 53-year Hollywood career during which he featured in over 100 films, mixing romantic and comic roles with tough, introspective heroes.
He served with the Marines during World War Two but came back to establish himself as one of Hollywood’s leading stars, forming a memorable on-screen partnership with Rita Hayworth that lasted for six films.
Ford was always a charismatic performer and enjoyed the diversity his career brought him – although some of his most memorable roles came in Westerns such as 3:10 to Yuma, Cowboy and The Fastest Gun Alive.
He also remained very active in his personal life and achieved fame for taking up hang-gliding at the age of 64.
He also got married for the fourth time at 76 to his young nurse – but they divorced two months later.
His first marriage was to famed dancer-actress Eleanor Powell. It lasted for 16 years (1943-1959) and they had one son, Peter.
But he later admitted that his love for Hayworth had authenticated their on-screen chemistry.
His last film roles came in 1991, when he appeared in Raw Nerve and Final Verdict – but he suffered a series of strokes in the 1990s.
Failing health meant Ford missed a 90th birthday tribute that had been planned for him on May 1 at Hollywood’s Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre.
But he did send a video message that stated: “I wish I were up and around, but I’m doing the best that I can. There’s so much I have to be grateful for.”