Chris Drake (born James Christian Droste, December 11, 1923 – July 9, 2006) was an American actor best known for his co-star role of the 1950s television series '' Sheena, Queen of the Jungle'', in which he co-starred with

Irish McCalla Nellie Elizabeth "Irish" McCalla (December 25, 1928 – February 1, 2002) was an American film and television actress and artist best known as the title star of the 1950s television series ''Sheena, Queen of the Jungle''. She co-starred with act ...

Early life

Drake was born as James C. Droste near

Richmond, Virginia (Thus do we reach the stars) , image_map = , mapsize = 250 px , map_caption = Location within Virginia , pushpin_map = Virginia#USA , pushpin_label = Richmond , pushpin_m ...

. He traced his family's roots in Virginia back to 1638. When he was 10 years old, he moved with his family to California, after his father had developed an incurable skin condition. They settled in Manhattan Beach. Drake graduated from El Segundo High School. During World War II Drake joined the United States Marine Corps. As one of ''

Carlson's Raiders Evans Fordyce Carlson (February 26, 1896 – May 27, 1947) was a decorated and retired United States Marine Corps general officer who was the legendary leader of "Carlson's Raiders" during World War II. Many credit Carlson with developing the tac ...

'' at ''

Guadalcanal Guadalcanal (; indigenous name: ''Isatabu'') is the principal island in Guadalcanal Province of Solomon Islands, located in the south-western Pacific, northeast of Australia. It is the largest island in the Solomon Islands by area, and the seco ...

'', Drake was wounded enough that he spent 11 months in eight Naval hospitals. He received two presidential citations for gallantry and a Purple Heart.

Career

After he played a bit part in an RKO film, the studio signed Drake to a long-term contract. He had the leading role in the film ''Forever My Love''. He also co-starred in the 1954 Sci-Fi film '' Them!'' and appeared on such television series as ''

Lassie Lassie is a fictional female Rough Collie dog and is featured in a short story by Eric Knight that was later expanded to a full-length novel called ''Lassie Come-Home''. Knight's portrayal of Lassie bears some features in common with another fic ...

'', ''

Stories of the Century ''Stories of the Century'' is a 39-episode Western historical fiction television series starring Jim Davis that ran in syndication through Republic Pictures between 1954 and 1955. Synopsis Jim Davis, who became famous decades later as the p ...

'' (as Burt Alvord), '' Dragnet'', and '' The Lone Ranger''. Following his acting career, he sold real estate in California, owning wholly or a portion of 11 real estate offices in and around Palos Verdes, until 1990. He retired two years later to his native Virginia, where he died in 2006, aged 82.

References

* ''Ultra Filmfax'' April 1988, Iss.66, pg. 79–82, by Charles P. Mitchell, "Christian Drake, Sheena Days with White Hunter Bob"

External links

* * 1923 births 2006 deaths American male film actors American male television actors United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II United States Marines Male actors from Richmond, Virginia Military personnel from Richmond, Virginia RKO Pictures contract players 20th-century American male actors El Segundo High School alumni {{US-tv-actor-1920s-stub