Alan Ladd
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
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.
Born
Sep 03, 1913
Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
Died
Jan 29, 1964
Known For
Acting
Movies
107 acting
5 crew
Popularity
1.3
Known For
Citizen Kane
1941
as Reporter Smoking Pipe at End (uncredited)
Shane
1953
as Shane
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
1982
as (in "This Gun For Hire") (archive footage)
This Gun for Hire
1942
as Philip Raven
The Reluctant Dragon
1941
as Baby Weems Storyboard Artist
The Glass Key
1942
as Ed Beaumont
The Blue Dahlia
1946
as Johnny Morrison
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