Kevin Joseph Connors was born in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. on April 12, 1921 to Irish immigrants. Chuck had a younger sister named Gloria [1923-2020]. He left Seton Hall University after two years to join the army. After his military service he turned his sites on athletic pursuits. At 6 foot, 6 inches he played center for the Boston Celtics in the 1946-1947 season but left early for spring training with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He played major league baseball with the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs from 1949-1952.
A baseball fan who was also a casting director for MGM spotted Connors and recommended him for a part in the Spencer Tracy – Katharine Hepburn comedy film “Pat and Mike” (1952). During the next several years Connors made 20 movies, culminating in a key role in William Wyler’s 1958 western “The Big Country” (1958). Chuck appeared in several television series, before finally hitting the big time in 1958 with “The Rifleman”, which began its highly successful five-year run on ABC. Other television series followed as did a number of movies which, though mostly minor, allowed Connors to display his range as both stalwart ‘good guy’ and menacing ‘heavy’.
Connors was married three times; Elizabeth Riddell (1948-1961), Kamal Devi (1963-1972) and Faith Quabius (1977-1980) and four children.
Chuck Connors dies of lung cancer on November 10, 1992 in Los Angeles, California.
CONNORS, Chuck (aka Chuck Conners, Martin Herbert) (Kevin Joseph Aloysius Connors) [4/10/1921, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. – 11/10/1992, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. (lung cancer, pneumonia)] – basketball player [Boston Celtics], baseball player [Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs], director, writer, film TV actor, married to Elizabeth Jane "Betty" Riddell [1928-1992] (1948-1962) father of cameraman, SFX, actor Mike Connors (Michael Connors) [1950- ], actor Jeff Connors (Jeffrey Alan Connors) [1952-2014], producer, director, writer, cinematographer Steve Connors (Stephen Connors) [1953- ], cameraman, actor, TV journalist Kevin Patrick Connors [1956-2005], married to actress Kamala Devi [1933- ] (1963-1972), married to actress Faith Quabius [1940- ] (1977-1980).
Kill Them All and Come Back Alone – 1968 (Clyde McKay/MacKay/Link)
The Proud and the Damned – 1968 (Sergeant Will Hansen)
Western, Italian Style – 1968 [himself]
The Deserter – 1971 (Reynolds)
Pancho Villa – 1971 (Colonel Wilcox)
Garden of Venus – 1979 (Jonathan Drake)
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