Wendell Corey

Wendell Reid Corey ( born March 20, 1914 in Dracut, Massachusetts, † 8 November 1968, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California ) was an American actor and politician.

Life and career

Wendell Corey was the son of U.S. actor Milton Rothwell Corey and Julia Etta McKenney. He received his degree in Springfield. First, he began his career on the stage, where he met his future wife, Alice Wiley end of the 1930s. With her he had four children together - Jonathan, Jennifer, Bonnie Alice and Robin. His Broadway debut was in 1942 ( Comes The Revelation ). After several supporting roles and the first theatrical success in a Leading Role ( Dreamgirl 1945), he was discovered by producer Hal B. Wallis for Hollywood. He signed a contract with Paramount Pictures.

His film debut in 1947 as a gangster in Desert Fury was once a U.S. success. During his brief film career, he played along side big stars. He is known among other things as a police officer and old friend of James Stewart in Rear Window. Often he also appeared in Western films.

Corey was active since 1956 also in politics and was elected in 1965 as a Republican to the city council of Santa Monica. Wendell Corey was 1961-1963 President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Oscar) and was also a member of the Screen Actors Guild. In 1966 he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives of the United States, but he already lost the area code of his party, so he remained there until his untimely death in the city council. 8 November 1968, Wendell Corey died unexpectedly at the age of 54 from liver cirrhosis; the years of alcoholism took its toll. He was buried in Washington (Massachusetts ).

Filmography (selection)

Awards

• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ( at 6328 Hollywood Boulevard)