Remembering Jeff Corey

Born Arthur Zwerling on August 10, 1914 in Brooklyn, New York he started out appearing in Shakespearean plays in the 1930s before moving to Hollywood in the ‘40s and became a highly respected character actor. His career came to a screeching halt when he was called before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. His behavior and unwillingness to answer questions led to his being blacklisted for the next twelve years. He then decided to become and acting teacher, his students, at various times, included: Robert Blake, Richard Chamberlain, James Dean, Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda, Michael Forest, Penny Marshall, Rita Moreno, Jack Nicholson, Leonard Nimoy, Anthony Perkins, Rob Reiner, Barbra Streisand and Robin Williams.

In 1962, Corey began working in films again, and remained active into the 1990s. He made guest appearances in many TV shows. His best known appearance probably was as Sheriff Bledsoe in 1969’s “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”. Although he primarily worked in American films and television he did make two appearances in European westerns: he appeared as President Abraham Lincoln in 1965’s “Treasure of the Aztecs” with Pierre Brice and Lex Barker and as Merridew with Yul Brynner in 1971’s “Catlow”. Corey died on August 16, 2002 as a result of a fall at his home. Today we remember him on what would have been his 95th birthday.