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Strother Martin was a talented actor known for his tough-guy roles in films and television. He became famous for his distinctive voice and memorable performances in dramas. Martin’s career spanned several decades but was unfortunately truncated. However, he left a lasting impression on audiences with his unique characters and strong presence on screen.

Strother Martin biography

Strother Douglas Martin Jr. (March 26, 1919 – August 1, 1980) emerged as a luminary in American cinema. Born in Kokomo, Indiana, his lineage is traced back to Ethel (née Dunlap) and Strother Douglas Martin. His formative years were briefly coloured by a stint in San Antonio, in the U.S. state of Texas, before his family resettled in Indiana.

From a young age, Martin’s exceptional skills in the aquatic domain earned him the nickname “T-Bone Martin”. By 17, he had already claimed the National Junior Springboard Diving Championship. During World War II, Martin served as a swimming instructor in the United States Navy.

Following his military service, Martin’s pursuit of excellence led him to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he joined the diving team. Despite his rigorous training and outstanding performances, his dream of securing a place on the U.S. Olympic team remained elusive as he finished third in the adult National Springboard Diving competition.

Martin’s heritage is a blend of European and American ancestry. He was an American and was of the Aries zodiac sign.

Standing at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm), Martin’s physical stature was complemented by his commanding voice and expressive features, making him a captivating figure on screen. His performances, whether as a villainous prison captain in Cool Hand Luke or numerous Westerns and TV series, demonstrated his remarkable ability to embody a wide range of personas.

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Strother Martin career

Martin had a diverse and impactful career in film and television, leaving a lasting impression on audiences worldwide. His journey began after World War II when he settled in Los Angeles and initially worked as a swimming instructor and a background actor in films such as the 1950 crime drama, The Damned Don’t Cry. Gradually, Martin transitioned into acting, landing roles and steadily building his reputation as a reliable character actor throughout the 1950s.

In television, Martin became a familiar face in drama series of the era. He appeared in shows like Gunsmoke, where he portrayed a range of characters, from a man with learning difficulties in the memorable episode “Cooter” to various other roles. His presence on screen was marked by his ability to bring depth and authenticity to each character he portrayed.

Martin’s breakthrough came with his role as the tough and ruthless prison captain in the 1967 film, Cool Hand Luke. His delivery of the now-famous line, “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate”, became iconic and solidified his place in Hollywood. This role catapulted him into prominence, leading to appearances in acclaimed films such as The Wild Bunch, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and True Grit.

Throughout the 1970s, Martin continued to expand his repertoire. His roles in films like Hannie Caulder, Pocket Money and Slap Shot demonstrated his versatility and comic brilliance. Martin’s ability to seamlessly transition between serious and light-hearted roles endeared him to audiences and cemented his status as a versatile character actor.

On television, Martin remained a sought-after guest star, appearing in shows such as Perry Mason, Gilligan’s Island and The Rockford Files. His distinct voice and commanding presence made him a memorable addition to any cast, whether playing a villain, a comedic character or a dramatic role.

Strother Martin movies

During his lifetime, Martin appeared in an array of films and television shows.

Here is an outline of some of his works throughout his career, according to Wikipedia:

• The Damned Don’t Cry (1950) – Springboard Diver (uncredited)
• The Asphalt Jungle (1950) – William Doldy (uncredited)
• Rhubarb (1951) – Michael ‘Shorty’ McGirk (uncredited)
• The Red Badge of Courage (1951) – Corporal (voice, uncredited)
• Scandal Sheet (1952) – Man on Crutches (uncredited)
• Storm Over Tibet (1952) – Co-Pilot
• Androcles and the Lion (1952) – Soldier (uncredited)
• The Magnetic Monster (1953) – Co-Pilot
• South Sea Woman (1953) – Marine in Audience at Court Martial (uncredited)
• World for Ransom (1954) – Corporal (uncredited)
• Prisoner of War (1954) – Man on Crutches (uncredited)
• A Star is Born (1954) – Delivery Boy (uncredited)
• Drum Beat (1954) – Scotty
• The Silver Chalice (1954) – Father (uncredited)
• Strategic Air Command (1955) – Airman (uncredited)
• Kiss Me Deadly (1955) – Harvey Wallace
• The Big Knife (1955) – Stillman (uncredited)
• Target Zero (1955) – Private Dan O’Hirons (uncredited)
• World Without End (1956) – Nihka (uncredited)
• Johnny Concho (1956) – Townsman (uncredited)
• Attack! (1956) – Sergeant Ingersol
• The Black Whip (1956) – Thorney
• Copper Sky (1957) – Pokey
• Black Patch (1957) – Deputy Petey Walker
• Cowboy (1958) – Cowboy Bitten by Snake (uncredited)
• The Shaggy Dog (1959) – Thurm
• The Wild and the Innocent (1959) – Ben Stocker
• The Horse Soldiers (1959) – Virgil
• Sanctuary (1961) – Dog Boy
• The Deadly Companions (1961) – Parson
• The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) – Floyd
• Showdown (1963) – Charlie Reeder
• McLintock! (1963) – Agard (Indian Agent)
• Invitation to a Gunfighter (1964) – Fiddler
• Brainstorm (1965) – Mr. Clyde
• Shenandoah (1965) – Train Engineer
• The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) – Jeb Ross
• Harper (1966) – Claude
• Nevada Smith (1966) – Strother (uncredited)
• An Eye for an Eye (1966) – Trumbull
• The Flim-Flam Man (1967) – Lovick
• Cool Hand Luke (1967) – The Captain
• True Grit (1969) – Colonel G. Stonehill
• The Wild Bunch (1969) – Coffer
• Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) – Percy Garris
• The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970) – Bowen
• Red Sky at Morning (1971) – John Cloyd
• The Brotherhood of Satan (1971) – Doc Duncan
• Fools’ Parade (1971) – Lee Cotrill
• Hannie Caulder (1971) – Rufus Clemens
• Pocket Money (1972) – Bill Garrett
• SSSSSSS (1973) – Dr. Carl Stoner
• Hard Times (1975) – Poe
• Rooster Cogburn (1975) – Shanghai McCoy
• The Great Scout & Cathouse Thursday (1976) – Billy
• Slap Shot (1977) – Joe McGrath
• The End (1978) – Dr. Waldo Kling
• Up in Smoke (1978) – Arnold Stoner
• Love and Bullets (1979) – Louis Monk
• The Champ (1979) – Riley
• Nightwing (1979) – Selwyn
• The Villain (1979) – Parody Jones
• The Secret of Nikola Tesla (1980) – George Westinghouse
• Hotwire (1980) – The Weasel (final film role)

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Television

• Dangerous Assignment – episode – The Venetian Story (1952) – Riri
• Gunsmoke – multiple episodes (1956-1964) – Various Characters
• I Love Lucy – episode – Off To Florida (1956) – Coffee Shop Clerk
• Zane Grey Theater – episode – The Necessary Breed (1957) – Telegraph Clerk, Joby
• Have Gun – Will Travel – multiple episodes (1957-1959) – Various Characters
• The Twilight Zone – episode – The Grave (1961) – Mothershed
• Perry Mason – multiple episodes (1962-1965) – Various Characters
• The Fugitive – episode – Devil’s Carnival (1964) – Deputy Shirky Saulter
• Bonanza – multiple episodes (1964-1970) – Various Characters
• The Dick Van Dyke Show – episode – Baby Fat (1965) – Harper Worthington Yates
• Lost in Space – episode – Blast Off Into Space (1966) – Nerim
• Death Valley Days – multiple episodes (1966-1967) – Various Characters
• The Rockford Files – episode – The Trees, the Bees and T.T. Flowers (1977) – Thomas Tyler “T.T.” Flowers
• Saturday Night Live – episode – Strother Martin (1980) – Host

Strother Martin’s net worth

Martin’s estimated net worth at the time of his death in 1980 was around $1 million. This estimate stemmed primarily from his successful acting career, during which he appeared in many films and television shows.

Strother Martin family

Martin married Helen Beatrice Meisels on December 18, 1966. Their marriage, which lasted until his death on August 1, 1980. The couple had had no kids.

As earlier mentioned, Martins’ parents were Strother Douglas Martin Sr. and Ethel Dunlap. Martin’s upbringing involved periods in both the U.S. states of Indiana and Texas during his early years.

Strother Martin age

Martin passed away on August 1, 1980, at the age of 61.

Strother Martin death

The curtain heartbreakingly closed for Strother Martin. Despite a flourishing career and seemingly good health (although he was being treated for diabetes and heart issues), a sudden heart attack claimed him in 1980.

Martin had attended a dinner party in Beverly Hills the night before. Waking up early the next morning at his California home, chest pains gripped him. Rushed to Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, California, medical intervention proved futile. The firebrand actor, who so convincingly played hardened characters, met his end at the age of 61. His wife, Helen Meisels-Martin, remained by his side until the very end.

Martin’s death left Hollywood, and movie fans everywhere, mourning the loss of a singular talent.

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