Joseph Lockard "Lock" Martin Jr. (October 12, 1916 – January 19, 1959) was an American performer afflicted with

gigantism Gigantism (, ''gígas'', "wiktionary:giant, giant", plural γίγαντες, ''gígantes''), also known as giantism, is a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average height, average. In humans, this conditi ...

. Martin and a twin brother were born in

South Philadelphia South Philadelphia, nicknamed South Philly, is the section of Philadelphia bounded by South Street to the north, the Delaware River to the east and south, and the Schuylkill River to the west."." ''City of Philadelphia''. Retrieved November 8, ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

; his brother died in childbirth. Martin would eventually grow to over 7 feet tall by adulthood, though his exact height was reported inconsistently. He became notable for appearing as the robot

Gort Gort ( or ) is a town of around 2,800 inhabitants in County Galway in the west of Ireland. Located near the border with County Clare, the town lies between the Burren and the Slieve Aughty and is served by the R458 road (Ireland), R458 and R460 ...

in ''

The Day the Earth Stood Still ''The Day the Earth Stood Still'' is a 1951 American science fiction film from 20th Century Fox, produced by Julian Blaustein and directed by Robert Wise. It stars Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Hugh Marlowe, Sam Jaffe, Billy Gray, F ...

'' (1951). Despite his size, he had difficulty moving in the heavy robot suit, and during scenes in which he was supposed to lift and carry either

Patricia Neal Patricia Neal (born Patsy Louise Neal; January 20, 1926 – August 8, 2010) was an American actress of stage and screen. She is well known for, among other roles, playing World WarII widow Helen Benson in ''The Day the Earth Stood Still'' (195 ...

Michael Rennie Michael Rennie (born Eric Alexander Rennie; 25 August 1909 – 10 June 1971) was a British film, television and stage actor, who had leading roles in a number of Hollywood films, including his portrayal of the space visitor Klaatu in the ...

, they were either held up by wires, or replaced with lightweight dummies. Martin traveled with Spike Jones and His City Slickers and appeared on their television show in the early 1950s. He also worked as a

doorman A doorman, also known as doorkeeper, is someone who is posted at, and often guards, a door, or by extension another entrance (specific similar terms exist, e.g. gatekeeper, hall porter). Specific uses include: Professions * Doorman (profession), ...

Grauman's Chinese Theatre Grauman's Chinese Theatre, known as the Chinese colloquially and officially billed as TCL Chinese Theatre for sponsorship reasons, is a movie palace on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, Unite ...

in Los Angeles. He can also be heard as a contestant on the November 14, 1951 edition of ''

You Bet Your Life ''You Bet Your Life'' is an American comedy quiz series that has aired on both radioThe Incredible Shrinking Man ''The Incredible Shrinking Man'' is a 1957 American science fiction film directed by Jack Arnold (director), Jack Arnold, based on Richard Matheson's 1956 novel, ''The Shrinking Man''. The film stars Grant Williams (actor), Grant Williams as Sc ...

'' as a circus giant, but his scenes were deleted.

Filmography

*'' Lost in a Harem'' (1944) – Bobo (as J. Lockard Martin) *'' Anchors Aweigh'' (1945) – Giant *''

Lady on a Train ''Lady on a Train'' is a 1945 American crime comedy film noir directed by Charles David and starring Deanna Durbin, Ralph Bellamy, and David Bruce. Based on a story by Leslie Charteris, the film is about a woman who witnesses a murder in a n ...

'' (1945) – Circus Club Doorman *''

'' (1951) – Gort *''

Four Star Revue ''Four Star Revue'' (also known as ''All Star Revue'' and ''All Star Summer Revue'') is an American variety/comedy program that aired on NBC from October 4, 1950, to December 26, 1953. The series originally starred four celebrities, Ed Wynn, Dan ...

'' (1952, TV Series) – Giant at Hollywood Bowl *''

Million Dollar Mermaid ''Million Dollar Mermaid'' (also known as ''The One Piece Bathing Suit'' in the UK) is a 1952 American biographical musical drama film about the life of Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman. It was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and produced by ...

'' (1952) – Giant *'' Off Limits'' (1953) – Big Sailor *'' Invaders from Mars'' (1953) – Mutant carrying David to "Intelligence" *''

The Snow Creature ''The Snow Creature'' is a 1954 American science fiction film, science fiction-horror film produced and directed by W. Lee Wilder, for Planet Filmplays Inc., written by Myles Wilder, and starring Paul Langton. Plot In an undisclosed Himalaya ...

'' (1954) – Yeti *''

The Incredible Shrinking Man ''The Incredible Shrinking Man'' is a 1957 American science fiction film directed by Jack Arnold (director), Jack Arnold, based on Richard Matheson's 1956 novel, ''The Shrinking Man''. The film stars Grant Williams (actor), Grant Williams as Sc ...

'' (1957) – Giant (scenes deleted)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Lock 1916 births 1959 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American twin actors Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) Male actors from Pennsylvania People with gigantism