Alan Ladd

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

September 3, 1913

Died

January 29, 1964 (age 50)

Place of Birth

Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA

Also Known As

Alan Walbridge Ladd

Alan Ladd

Biography

Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964) was an American actor and producer known for his cool, understated screen presence and his defining roles in 1940s and 1950s film noir and Westerns. Standing 5 ft 6 in (168 cm), Ladd became famous for the contrast between his modest height and his commanding on‑screen persona, a combination studios often enhanced through camera techniques and staging. He was frequently paired with Veronica Lake, one of the few major actresses shorter than he was, and together they became one of Hollywood’s iconic noir duos. Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Ladd moved to North Hollywood as a child and worked various jobs before entering the film industry. After years of small roles — including an uncredited appearance in Citizen Kane — he achieved stardom with This Gun for Hire (1942). His quiet intensity and stoic charm resonated strongly with wartime audiences, making him one of the decade’s top box‑office draws. Ladd went on to star in a series of successful films, including The Glass Key (1942), The Blue Dahlia (1946), Whispering Smith (1948), Shane (1953), and The Proud Rebel (1958). Though his popularity declined somewhat in the late 1950s, he continued to work steadily in both film and television and produced several of his later projects. Ladd died in 1964 at the age of 50 from cerebral edema caused by acute alcohol and barbiturate intoxication, which was ruled an accidental death. Despite his relatively short life, he remains a defining figure of classic Hollywood — a performer whose quiet strength, distinctive presence, and memorable roles continue to influence the Western and noir genres.

Known For

Filmography

2022FilmRat Packas Self (archive footage)2004FilmLos Angeles Plays Itselfas Philip Raven in This Gun For Hire (archive footage)2004FilmWalt Disney's Fables - Vol.6as Al - Baby Weems Storyboard Artist (archive footage) (uncredited)1999FilmAlan Ladd: The True Quiet Manas Self (archive footage)1983FilmHollywood Out-takes and Rare Footageas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)1982FilmDead Men Don't Wear Plaidas (in "This Gun For Hire") (archive footage)1968FilmThe Movie Orgyas Self (archive footage)1964FilmThe Carpetbaggersas Nevada Smith1962Film13 West Streetas Walt Sherill1961FilmDuel of Championsas Horatius1960FilmOne Foot in Hellas Mitch Barrett1960FilmAll the Young Menas Sgt. Kincaid1960FilmGuns of the Timberlandas Jim Hadley1959FilmThe Man in the Netas John Hamilton1958FilmThe Badlandersas Peter Van Hoek (The Dutchman)1958FilmThe Proud Rebelas John Chandler1958FilmThe Deep Sixas Alexander 'Alec' Austen1957FilmBoy on a Dolphinas Dr. James 'Jim' Calder1957FilmThe Big Landas Chad Morgan1956FilmA Cry in the Nightas Opening Narrator (voice) (uncredited)1956FilmSantiagoas Caleb 'Cash' Adams1955FilmHell on Frisco Bayas Steve Rollins1955FilmThe McConnell Storyas Capt. Joseph C. 'Mac' McConnell, Jr.1955TVThe Bob Cummings Showas Self1954FilmDrum Beatas Johnny MacKay1954FilmA Star Is Born World Premiereas Self1954FilmThe Black Knightas John1954FilmSaskatchewanas Thomas O'Rourke1954FilmHell Below Zeroas Duncan Craig1953FilmThe Red Beretas Steve 'Canada' McKendrick1953FilmDesert Legionas Paul Lartal1953FilmShaneas Shane1953TVGeneral Electric Theateras Dan Holiday1952FilmBotany Bayas Hugh Tallant1952FilmThunder in the Eastas Steve Gibbs1952FilmThe Iron Mistressas Jim Bowie1951FilmRed Mountainas Capt. Brett Sherwood1950FilmBrandedas Choya1950FilmAppointment with Dangeras Al Goddard1950FilmCaptain Carey, U.S.A.as Captain Webster Carey1949FilmChicago Deadlineas Ed Adams1949FilmThe Great Gatsbyas Jay Gatsby1948FilmWhispering Smithas Whispering Smith1948FilmBeyond Gloryas Capt. Rockwell 'Rocky' Gilman1947FilmSaigonas Major Larry Briggs1947FilmWild Harvestas Joe Madigan1947FilmVariety Girlas Alan Ladd1947FilmMy Favorite Brunetteas Sam McCloud (uncredited)1946FilmCalcuttaas Neale Gordon1946FilmTwo Years Before the Mastas Charles Stewart1946FilmO.S.S.as John Martin / Lt. (j.g.) Philip Masson, U.S.N.R. / Philippe Martine1946FilmThe Blue Dahliaas Johnny Morrison1945FilmHollywood Victory Caravanas Alan Ladd1945FilmDuffy's Tavernas Alan Ladd1945FilmSalty O'Rourkeas Salty O'Rourke1944FilmAnd Now Tomorrowas Doctor Merek Vance1944FilmSkirmish on the Home Frontas Harry W. Average1943FilmChinaas David Jones1943FilmPhotographic Intelligence for Bombardment Aviationas Capt. Smith1942FilmLucky Jordanas Lucky Jordan1942FilmThe Glass Keyas Ed Beaumont1942FilmThis Gun for Hireas Philip Raven1942FilmStar Spangled Rhythmas Alan Ladd1942FilmJoan of Parisas "Baby"1941FilmUnfinished Rainbowsas Charles Martin Hall1941FilmMilitary Trainingas Lieutenant, Platoon Leader, County Fair1941FilmCadet Girlas Harry - Musician (uncredited)1941FilmGreat Gunsas Soldier in Photo Shop (uncredited)1941FilmThe Reluctant Dragonas Baby Weems Storyboard Artist1941FilmGangs Inc.as Jimmy Kelly aka Bill Dugan1941FilmThe Black Catas Richard Hartley1941FilmCitizen Kaneas Reporter Smoking Pipe at End (uncredited)1941FilmI Look at Youas Himself1941FilmPetticoat Politicsas Higgins Daughter's Boyfriend1940FilmHer First Romanceas John Gilman1940FilmVictoryas Heyst as an 18-Year-Old (uncredited)1940FilmEllery Queen, Master Detectiveas Elevator Passenger (uncredited) (unconfirmed)1940FilmMeet the Missusas John Williams1940FilmMeat and Romanceas Bill Allen1940FilmThe Howards of Virginiaas Backwoodsman (uncredited)1940FilmWildcat Busas (uncredited)1940FilmCaptain Cautionas Newton1940FilmAmerican Portraitas Young man / Old man1940FilmThose Were the Days!as Keg Rearick1940FilmCross-Country Romanceas Mr. Williams1940FilmBlame It on Loveas TV Director (uncredited)1940FilmIn Old Missourias John Pittman Jr.1940FilmThe Light of Western Starsas Danny1940FilmSauce for the Ganderas Man on the Spot Reporter1940FilmBrother Rat and a Babyas Cadet in Trouble1940FilmThe Green Hornetas Gilpin - Student Pilot (uncredited)1939FilmRulers of the Seaas Colin Farrell1939FilmHitler: Beast of Berlinas Karl Bach1939FilmThe Mysterious Miss Xas Henchman1939FilmPetunia Natural Parkas Narrator (uncredited)1938FilmSecrets of a Nurseas Hospital Orderly (uncredited)1938FilmFreshman Yearas Student (uncredited)1938FilmCome On, Leathernecks!as Club Waiter (uncredited)1938FilmThe Goldwyn Folliesas First Auditioning Singer (uncredited)1937FilmHold 'Em Navyas Chief Quartermaster (uncredited)1937FilmSouls at Seaas Sailor (uncredited)1937FilmAll Over Townas Young Man (uncredited)1937FilmThe Last Train from Madridas Soldier (uncredited)1936FilmPigskin Paradeas Student (uncredited)1934FilmMurder at the Vanitiesas Chorus Boy (uncredited)1933FilmSaturday's Millionsas Student1932FilmOnce in a Lifetimeas Projectionist (uncredited)1932FilmTom Brown of Culveras Cadet

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