Alan Walbridge Ladd, AKA "Laddie" or "Tiny",
was born on September 3, 1913 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Alan
passed away on January 29, 1964 in Palm Springs, California
from an acute overdose of alcohol and sedatives.
In 1936 Ladd married long time friend, Midge. The expense of
living together kept the two living apart for the first year
until they could afford to move in together at their friend's
apartment. That same year, 1937, Midge birthed Alan Jr. Alan's
mother would later commit suicide a few months after her grandson's
birth.
With years of sacrifice and trouble marking Alan's adolescence,
it was Ladd's resilient quality that finally landed him a successful
career in the 1940s, after he was discovered by talent scout
Susan Carol in 1939. Alan Ladd's breakthrough role came as Raven,
a psychotic murderer in the 1941 hit "This Gun for Hire".
After divorcing his wife the same year, Alan spent the rest
of the decade living with his second wife, Susan Carol and
playing memorable tough-guy roles which packed the theatres.
Alan Ladd was also one of very few males whose cover photos sold
movie magazines.
In the 1950's Alan Ladd obtained lucrative roles that despite
their financial gain, offered little more in the way of success.
The exception however, was 1953's "Shane" which
is considered by many to be Ladd's best film.
Alan Ladd has a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame.
A photograph of Alan's flogging scene in "Two Years Before
the Mast" appeared on the cover of the 2004 book: "Lash! The
Hundred Greatest Scenes of Men Being Whipped in the Movies."
Alan Ladd was inaccurately included in the cast credits for
"Born to the West"(1937) in studio publicity material.
In fact, he was never in the film, despite the fact that it
often shows up in his credits and even on the video box!
By 1931 Alan Ladd was training for the 1932 Olympics, but
an injury forced Ladd to cancel his plans.
Alan Ladd opened a hamburger stand called "Tiny's Patio".
He also worked as a grip at "Warner's". Alan Ladd was
drafted in January of 1943 and discharged November that year
due to an ulcer and double hernia.
Alan Ladd's other notable credits include...
