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Alan Ladd

1913-09-03

The Biography

Alan Walbridge Ladd was an American actor and film and television producer. Ladd found success in film the 1940s and early 1950s, particularly in Westerns and film noirs where he was often paired with Veronica Lake, as she was one of the few Hollywood actresses shorter than he. His popularity diminished in the late 1950s, though he continued to appear in popular films until his death from cerebral edema in January 1964. Ladd was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, but later relocated to North Hollywood, California when his mother re-married.   He worked briefly as a studio carpenter (as did his stepfather) and for a short time was part of the Universal Pictures studio school for actors.  Intent on acting, he found work in small theatres. He had short term stints at MGM and RKO, and eventually started getting steady work on radio.  Ladd began by appearing in dozens of films in small roles, including Citizen Kane , before reaching recognition for his 1942 appearance in This Gun for Hire, invigorating Hollywood's desire for gangster-crime features.  His cool, unsmiling persona proved popular with wartime audiences, and he was quickly established as one of the top box office stars of the decade.  

Alan Ladd in

Movies

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Citizen Kane

8 average rating
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Shane

7.4 average rating
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The Reluctant Dragon

6.6 average rating
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Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

6.6 average rating
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The Carpetbaggers

5.8 average rating
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The Proud Rebel

5.9 average rating
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The Blue Dahlia

6.6 average rating
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This Gun for Hire

6.94 average rating
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Los Angeles Plays Itself

7.6 average rating
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The Glass Key

6.569 average rating
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Whispering Smith

6.5 average rating
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Boy on a Dolphin

5.5 average rating
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Light of Western Stars

4 average rating
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The Red Beret

6.9 average rating
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The Black Cat

6.5 average rating
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The Great Gatsby

5.5 average rating
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Great Guns

5.8 average rating
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Wild Harvest

0 average rating
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My Favorite Brunette

6.7 average rating
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The Big Land

6.2 average rating