Shepperd Strudwick (September 22, 1907 – January 15, 1983) was an American actor of film, television, and stage. He was also billed as John Shepperd for some of his films and for his acting on stage in New York.

Early years

Strudwick was born in

Hillsborough, North Carolina The town of Hillsborough is the county seat of Orange County, North Carolina, United States and is located along the Eno River. The population was 6,087 in 2010, but it grew rapidly to 9,660 by 2020. Its name was unofficially shortened to "Hills ...

. He attended

Virginia Episcopal School Virginia Episcopal School (VES) is a private, co-educational college preparatory, boarding and day school for students in grades 9 - 12, located in Lynchburg, Virginia, United States. The school was first conceived in 1906 by the Reverend Robe ...

Lynchburg, Virginia Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. First settled in 1757 by ferry owner John Lynch, the city's population was 79,009 at the 2020 census. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mounta ...

, and the

University of North Carolina The University of North Carolina is the multi-campus public university system for the state of North Carolina. Overseeing the state's 16 public universities and the NC School of Science and Mathematics, it is commonly referred to as the UNC S ...

. At the university, he played football and basketball and ran the mile in track. He gained early acting experience in a

summer stock theatre In American theater, summer-stock theater is a theater that presents stage productions only in the summer. The name combines the season with the tradition of staging shows by a resident company, reusing stock scenery and costumes. Summer stock th ...

company in Maine.

Career

He began his film career as the

title character The title character in a narrative work is one who is named or referred to in the title of the work. In a performed work such as a play or film, the performer who plays the title character is said to have the title role of the piece. The title of ...

in the short film ''Joaquin Murrieta'' (1938), credited as Sheppard Strudwick. He appeared as Yugoslav guerrilla leader Lt. Aleksa Petrovic, an aide to General Draza Mihailovich, in the 20th Century Fox war film '' Chetniks! The Fighting Guerrillas'' in 1943. During World War II, Strudwick served in the Navy. He played

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe (; Edgar Poe; January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. He is wid ...

in '' The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe'' (1942) and also appeared in ''

Strange Triangle ''Strange Triangle'' is a 1946 American crime film noir directed by Ray McCarey and starring Signe Hasso, Preston Foster and Anabel Shaw.. Premise A bank examiner becomes involved with a couple planning embezzlement, which leads them to murder. ...

'' (1946), ''Fighter Squadron'' (1948), '' The Reckless Moment'' (1949), ''

The Red Pony ''The Red Pony'' is an episodic novella written by American writer John Steinbeck in 1933. The first three chapters were published in magazines from 1933 to 1936. The full book was published in 1937 by Covici Friede. The stories in the book ...

'' (1949), '' Under the Gun'' (1951), and '' A Place in the Sun'' (1951), starring

Elizabeth Taylor Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was a British-American actress. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 1950s. ...

and

Montgomery Clift Edward Montgomery Clift (; October 17, 1920 – July 23, 1966) was an American actor. A four-time Academy Award nominee, he was known for his portrayal of "moody, sensitive young men", according to ''The New York Times''. He is best remembered ...

, as the Taylor character's father. Perhaps his most famous film role was that of Adam Stanton, the idealistic doctor who finally kills Willie Stark (played by

Broderick Crawford William Broderick Crawford (December 9, 1911 – April 26, 1986) was an American stage, film, radio, and television actor, often cast in tough-guy roles and best known for his Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Willie Stark in ''All th ...

) in the classic film ''

All the King's Men ''All the King's Men'' is a 1946 novel by Robert Penn Warren. The novel tells the story of charismatic populist governor Willie Stark and his political machinations in the Depression-era Deep South. It was inspired by the real-life story of U ...

'' (1949). Another notable role was Father Jean Massieu in ''

Joan of Arc Joan of Arc (french: link=yes, Jeanne d'Arc, translit= �an daʁk} ; 1412 – 30 May 1431) is a patron saint of France, honored as a defender of the French nation for her role in the siege of Orléans and her insistence on the coronat ...

'' (1948), starring

Ingrid Bergman Ingrid Bergman (29 August 191529 August 1982) was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films, television movies, and plays.Obituary '' Variety'', 1 September 1982. With a career spanning five decades, she is ofte ...

as Joan. Strudwick made many appearances on television, including the role of Dr. Charles Morris in the 1958 ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and 4 short stories, all of which involve a c ...

'' episode, "The Case of the Fugitive Nurse." He also appeared on ''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, sup ...

'', (in the episode " Nightmare as a Child") and several roles on the soap operas ''

As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other s ...

'' (Dr. Fields), '' Another World'' (Jim Matthews), ''

One Life to Live ''One Life to Live'' (often abbreviated as ''OLTL'') is an American soap opera broadcast on the ABC television network for more than 43 years, from July 15, 1968, to January 13, 2012, and then on the internet as a web series on Hulu and iTunes ...

'' (

Victor Lord Victor Dalby Lord is a fictional character and patriarch of the Lord family from the American soap opera '' One Life to Live''. An original protagonist on the series, Victor is introduced in the first episode as the preeminent mass media magnat ...

), and '' Love of Life'' (Timothy McCauley). In 1981, he starred as the voice of Homer in the

National Radio Theater The National Radio Theater was a non-profit independent producer of radio plays created in Chicago by Yuri Rasovsky and Michelle M. Faith. The company produced a radio drama anthology series called ''The National Radio Theater of Chicago'', whic ...

Peabody Award The George Foster Peabody Awards (or simply Peabody Awards or the Peabodys) program, named for the American businessman and philanthropist George Peabody, honor the most powerful, enlightening, and invigorating stories in television, radio, and ...

-winning radio dramatization of the

Odyssey The ''Odyssey'' (; grc, Ὀδύσσεια, Odýsseia, ) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. As with the '' Iliad'', ...

. His last appearance on film was in 1981's ''Kent State'', a TV film. That same year, he was nominated for the

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual c ...

for Best Actor (Featured Role – Play) for the Broadway play ''To Grandmother's House We Go''. Strudwick acted in at least 30 Broadway plays, beginning with ''The Yellow Jacket'' (1929), and ending with ''To Grandmother's House We Go'' (1981).

Personal life

Strudwick married Helen Wynn, (born Helen R. Sims), with whom he acted in stock theatre in Maine, on May 10, 1936, in New York City. They had a son in 1944. In 1949, he was married to Jean Mead, who had worked for the British Information Service. Strudwick was married to Mary Jeffrey from 1977 until his death. He died in New York City from

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

on January 15, 1983, at the age of 75.

Filmography

Film

*''

Fast Company ''Fast Company'' is a monthly American business magazine published in print and online that focuses on technology, business, and design. It publishes six print issues per year. History ''Fast Company'' was launched in November 1995 by Alan Web ...

'' (1938) as Ned Morgan (film debut) *'' Old Glory'' (1939, Short) as

Paul Revere Paul Revere (; December 21, 1734 O.S. (January 1, 1735 N.S.)May 10, 1818) was an American silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, Sons of Liberty member, and Patriot and Founding Father. He is best known for his midnight ride to a ...

(voice, uncredited) *'' Congo Maisie'' (1940) as Dr. John McWade *'' Mighty Hunters'' (1940, Short) as Narrator (voice, uncredited) *'' Dr. Kildare's Strange Case'' (1940) as Dr. Gregory 'Greg' Lane *'' Tom Thumb in Trouble'' (1940, Short) as Narrator/Tom Thumb's Father (voice, uncredited) *'' The Mortal Storm'' (1940) as Narrator (uncredited) *''

Flight Command ''Flight Command'' is a 1940 American film about a cocky U.S. Navy pilot who has problems with his new squadron and with the wife of his commander. It stars Robert Taylor, Ruth Hussey and Walter Pidgeon. ''Flight Command'' has the distinction of ...

'' (1940) - Lieut. Jerry Banning *''

Belle Starr Myra Maybelle Shirley Reed Starr (February 5, 1848 – February 3, 1889), better known as Belle Starr, was an American outlaw who gained national notoriety after her violent death. She associated with the James–Younger Gang and other outlaw ...

'' (1941) as Ed Shirley *''

The Men in Her Life ''The Men in Her Life'' is a 1941 period drama film directed by Gregory Ratoff and starring Loretta Young, Conrad Veidt and Dean Jagger. It is an adaptation of the 1932 novel ''Ballerina'' by the British writer Eleanor Smith. It was nominated f ...

'' (1941) as Roger Chevis *''

Cadet Girl ''Cadet Girl'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by Ray McCarey and written by Stanley Rauh and H.W. Hanemann. The film stars Carole Landis, George Montgomery, Shepperd Strudwick, William Tracy, Janis Carter and Robert Lowery. The film was relea ...

'' (1941) as Bob Mallory *''

Remember the Day ''Remember the Day'' is a 1941 film released by 20th Century Fox, directed by Henry King, and starring Claudette Colbert and John Payne. Plot Elderly schoolteacher Nora Trinell reflects on her life and teaching career while waiting to see Dew ...

'' (1941) as Dewey Roberts *''

Rings on Her Fingers ''Rings on Her Fingers'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Henry Fonda and Gene Tierney. The screenplay concerns a poor man who gets mistaken for a millionaire and is swindled out of his life savings. Plot ...

'' (1942) as Tod Fenwick *''

Ten Gentlemen from West Point ''Ten Gentlemen from West Point'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring George Montgomery, Maureen O'Hara and John Sutton. Its cinematography was nominated for an Academy Award in 1943. George Montgomery replac ...

'' (1942) as

Henry Clay Henry Clay Sr. (April 12, 1777June 29, 1852) was an American attorney and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the United States Senate, U.S. Senate and United States House of Representatives, House of Representatives. He was the seven ...

*'' The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe'' (1942) as

*'' Dr. Renault's Secret'' (1942) as Dr. Larry Forbes *'' Chetniks! The Fighting Guerrillas'' (1943) as Lt. Aleksa Petrovic *''

'' (1946) as Earl Huber *'' Home, Sweet Homicide'' (1946) as Mr.Wallace Sanford *''

'' (1948) as Father Massieu (Joan's bailiff) *'' Fighter Squadron'' (1948) as Brig. Gen. Mel Gilbert *'' Enchantment'' (1948) as Marchese Del Laudi *''

'' (1949) as Mr. Fred Tiflin *''

Reign of Terror The Reign of Terror (french: link=no, la Terreur) was a period of the French Revolution when, following the creation of the First French Republic, First Republic, a series of massacres and numerous public Capital punishment, executions took pl ...

'' (1949) as

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader wh ...

(voice, uncredited) *'' The Reckless Moment'' (1949) as Ted Darby *''

Chicago Deadline ''Chicago Deadline'' is a 1949 American film noir crime film directed by Lewis Allen and starring Alan Ladd and Donna Reed. It was remade as ''Fame Is the Name of the Game'' (1966). Plot Chicago newspaper reporter Ed Adams is in a boarding ...

'' (1949) as Edgar 'Blacky' Franchot *''

'' (1949) as Adam Stanton *''

The Kid from Texas ''The Kid from Texas'' is a 1950 American Western film that was Audie Murphy's first Technicolor Western and the first feature film on Murphy's Universal-International Pictures contract. It was directed by Kurt Neumann and featured Gale Storm ...

'' (1950) as Roger Jameson *'' Let's Dance'' (1950) as Timothy Bryant *'' Three Husbands'' (1950) as Arthur Evans *'' A Place in the Sun'' (1951) as Anthony "Tony" Vickers *'' Under the Gun'' (1951) as Milo Bragg *'' The Eddy Duchin Story'' (1956) as Sherman Wadsworth *'' Autumn Leaves'' (1956) as Dr. Malcolm Couzzens *''

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Beyond a reasonable doubt is a legal standard of proof required to validate a criminal conviction in most adversarial legal systems. It is a higher standard of proof than the balance of probabilities standard commonly used in civil cases, becau ...

'' (1956) as Jonathan Wilson *'' That Night!'' (1957) as Dr. Bernard Fischer *'' The Sad Sack'' (1957) as Major General Vanderlip *'' Girl on the Run'' (1958) as James McCullough/Ralph Graham *'' Violent Midnight'' (1963) as Adrian Benedict *'' Daring Game'' (1968) as Dr. Henry L. Carlyle *''

Slaves Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave—someone forbidden to quit one's service for an enslaver, and who is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perf ...

'' (1969) as Mr. Stillwell *'' The Monitors'' (1969) as Tersh Jeterax *'' Cops and Robbers'' (1973) as Mr. Eastpoole (final film)

Television

*''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

'' (1957) as Colonel Charles E. Beauchamp *''

'' (1958) as Dr. Charles Morris *'' Have Gun - Will Travel'' (1960) as Colonel Benjamin Nunez *''

77 Sunset Strip ''77 Sunset Strip'' is an American television private detective drama series created by Roy Huggins and starring Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith, Richard Long (from 1960 to 1961) and Edd Byrnes (billed as Edward Byrnes). Each episode was o ...

'' (1960) as James McCullough *''

Thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...

'' (1960) as Douglas Kilburn *'' The Barbara Stanwyck Show'' (1960) as Bill Mowry *''

'' (1961) as Peter Selden ("Nightmare as a Child" episode) *''

'' (1968) as

*''

McMillan & Wife ''McMillan & Wife'' (known simply as ''McMillan'' from 1976–77) is an American police procedural television series that aired on NBC from September 17, 1971, to April 24, 1977. Starring Rock Hudson and Susan Saint James in the title roles, the ...

'' (1971) as Rudolph Dimrose *'' The Adams Chronicles'' (1976) as Dr. Hooper *'' Love of Life'' (1980) as Timothy McCauley *''

Nurse Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses may be differentiated from other health ...

'' (1982) as William Mercier (final appearance)

Radio

*National Radio Theater: ''Odyssey'' as Homer

Stage

*''To Grandmother's House We Go'', Broadway play

Awards

*Tony Award for Best Play (Feature Role – Play): **''To Grandmother's House We Go'' - Nominated

References

External links

* * * * *
Shepperd Strudwick papers, 1927-1983
held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division,

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center, at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza, is located in Manhattan, New York City, at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on the Upper West Side, between the Metro ...

Shepperd Strudwick
at the

University of Wisconsin A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United Stat ...

'
Actors Studio audio collection
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Strudwick, Shepperd 1907 births 1983 deaths American male film actors American male soap opera actors American male stage actors American male television actors People from Hillsborough, North Carolina Deaths from cancer in New York (state) Male actors from North Carolina 20th-century American male actors University of North Carolina alumni