| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
Born Ira Grossel in Brooklyn, New York Chandler attended Erasmus Hall High School, the nucleus of many stage and film personalities. Later, he took a drama course and spent two years in stock companies before serving in World War II. After discharged, he was a busy radio actor both in drama and comedy. His first film appearance was in Johnny O'Clock ( 1947).
In the 1950s, Chandler became a star in western and action movies. His first important role was in Sword in the Desert ( 1948), as an Israeli freedom fighter. He would be nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Cochise in Broken ArrowBroken Arrow was the name of a film released in 1950. It was directed by Delmer Daves and starred James Stewart and Jeff Chandler. The film was nominated for three Oscars, and won a Golden Globe award for Best Film Promoting International Understanding. ( 1950See also 1949 in film 1950 1951 in film 1950s in film 1940s in film years in film film Events February 15 Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts. Top grossing films :North America # Cinderella (Disney) (#6 in year of release) # Samson and De), the first of three screen appearances as the legendary ApacheThis article is about the Native American tribe, for other uses of the word see Apache (disambiguation Apache is the collective name given to several culturally related tribes of Native Americans, aboriginal inhabitants of North America, who speak an Apac chief, followed by The Battle of Apache Pass ( 1952See also 1951 in film 1952 1953 in film 1950s in film years in film film Events February 20 The film The African Queen opens (Capitol Theater in New York City). September 30 The Cinerama widescreen system, invented by Fred Waller, debuts with the film Thi) and Taza, Son of Cochise ( 1954See also 1953 in film 1954 1955 in film 1950s in film years in film film Events May 12 The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda. The two were married in 1927. Top grossing films :North America # White Christmas starring Bing Crosby, Danny).
The rest of the decade, Chandler turned in a top leading man. His sex appeal, curiously heightened by his prematurely gray hair and tanned features, would put him into drama and costume movies. Some of his pictures in this period include Away All Boats, Toy Tiger, Drango, The Tattered Dress, Man in the Shadow, Foxfire, A Stranger in My Arms, and Thunder in the Sun. His leading ladies would include June AllysonJune Allyson (born October 7, 1917) is an American actress, popular in the 1940s and 1950s. She was born Ella Geisman in the Bronx, New York City, and brought up in near-poverty. After a childhood accident, she took up both swimming and dancing as therapy, Joan CrawfordJoan Crawford ( March 23, 1904 — May 10, 1977) was an Academy Award winning American actress. Born Lucille Fay LeSueur in San Antonio, Texas, she was the third child of Thomas E. LeSueur ( 1868- 1938) and Anna Bell Johnson ( 1884- 1958). Her older sister, Rhonda Fleming , Susan HaywardSusan Hayward ( June 30, 1917 March 14, 1975) was an American actress. Born Edythe Marrenner in Brooklyn, New York, she began her career as a photographer's model. She went to Hollywood in 1939, aiming to become the unknown who won the role of Scarlett O', Maureen O'Hara, Jane Russell and Esther Williams.
Shortly after completing his role in Merrill's Marauders ( 1962), Chandler died in Los Angeles, California at age of 42, from blood poisoning following disc herniation surgery. He was interred in the Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Jeff Chandler is honored with a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.