Richard Carlson
Born 1912 · Age 113
American actor, television and film director, and screenwriter best known for roles in 1950s science-fiction films and the TV series I Led 3 Lives.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Albert Lea, Minnesota
Richard Du Toit Carlson born to a Danish-born lawyer in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
High school valedictorian (Washburn High School)
Graduated as valedictorian of Washburn High School (IMDb notes class of 1929).
Graduated University of Minnesota with M.A. (cum laude) and scholarship prize
Earned an M.A. degree, Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude, and received a $2,500 scholarship prize and invitation to join faculty (declined).
Briefly served as English/drama instructor at University of Minnesota
Accepted a short teaching stint at his alma mater before pursuing a professional acting career.
Opened a repertory theater in Saint Paul
Used the $2,500 scholarship prize to start his own repertory theatre; wrote, produced, directed and acted in three plays.
Relocated to Pasadena Playhouse and New York
After his repertory theatre failed, Carlson moved to California to join the Pasadena Playhouse then on to New York for Broadway work.
Broadway acting debut in Three Men on a Horse
Made his Broadway debut in the play Three Men on a Horse.
First film appearance (short subject) Desert Death
Uncredited appearance as the MGM crime reporter in the short 'Desert Death'.
Featured in Now You've Done It on Broadway
Featured in Brock Pemberton's play Now You've Done It (1937).
Appeared with Ethel Barrymore in Ghost of Yankee Doodle
Performed on Broadway with Ethel Barrymore in Ghost of Yankee Doodle (1937–38).
Film roles in The Duke of West Point and others (1938–1939)
Supported in The Duke of West Point (1938) and co-starred in multiple features moving into Hollywood films.
Wrote and staged play Western Waters
Wrote and staged Western Waters starring Van Heflin; it ran only seven performances.
Signed by David O. Selznick; film debut in The Young in Heart
Signed by producer David O. Selznick and appeared in The Young in Heart (1938), his first feature film.
Moved to California and increased film work
Began working more regularly in Hollywood films (e.g., films with Lana Turner in 1939).
Married Mona Carlson
Married Mona Carlson on June 10, 1939; the couple later had two children.
Featured in major studio films (1940–1941)
Appeared in Beyond Tomorrow, The Ghost Breakers, The Howards of Virginia, Too Many Girls, No, No, Nanette and others.
Notable role in The Little Foxes (1941)
Played David Hewitt in William Wyler's adaptation of Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes.
Entered United States Navy for World War II
Served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant (junior grade) during World War II.
Appeared in several MGM films
Appeared in White Cargo (1942), Presenting Lily Mars (1943), A Stranger in Town (1943), Young Ideas (1943) and The Man from Down Under (1943).
Post-war return to Hollywood; began writing to supplement income
After WWII service, found few acting offers and supplemented income by writing.
Supporting role in So Well Remembered
Returned to the screen with supporting roles including So Well Remembered (1947).
Featured in The Amazing Mr. X and Behind Locked Doors
Took roles in low-budget film noir releases The Amazing Mr. X and Behind Locked Doors.
Co-starred in King Solomon's Mines (location filming in Africa)
Co-featured with Deborah Kerr and Stewart Granger in the commercially successful King Solomon's Mines, filmed on location in Africa.
Wrote 'Diary of a Hollywood Safari' for The Saturday Evening Post
While filming King Solomon's Mines in Africa, wrote a series of articles collectively titled 'Diary of a Hollywood Safari.'
Guest on Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town (CBS live show)
Appeared with U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey on the CBS live variety show highlighting Minneapolis.
Became a science-fiction/horror lead: The Magnetic Monster & It Came from Outer Space
Starred in The Magnetic Monster and It Came from Outer Space, boosting his profile in sci-fi/horror genres.
Starred in The Maze (1953)
Lead role in The Maze, a 3-D science-fiction film.
Starred in I Led 3 Lives (TV series start)
Began starring as Herbert Philbrick in the popular TV series I Led 3 Lives (1953–1956).
Starred in Creature from the Black Lagoon
Played Dr. David Reed in the influential creature-feature Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).
Directed and starred in Riders to the Stars
Transitioned to directing as well as acting — directed and starred in the sci-fi film Riders to the Stars.
Directed Four Guns to the Border
Directed the western Four Guns to the Border (1954).
Acted in The Last Command and Bengazi
Continued mix of acting and directing with supporting roles in The Last Command and Bengazi.
Directed Appointment with a Shadow; Bell Labs science films
Directed Appointment with a Shadow (1957). Participated in the Bell Laboratory Science Series, directing The Unchained Goddess.
Directed The Saga of Hemp Brown; wrote Johnny Rocco
Directed The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958) and wrote the script for Johnny Rocco (1958).
Recurring role in Mackenzie's Raiders
Played a recurring role as Colonel Ranald Mackenzie in the western TV series Mackenzie's Raiders.
Guest appearance in NBC's Riverboat ('The Faithless')
Appeared as Paul Drake in the Riverboat episode 'The Faithless' (airdate Nov 22, 1959).
Began directing numerous television episodes
Directed episodes for The Man and the Challenge, This Man Dawson, Men Into Space, Alcoa Premiere, and The Detectives.
Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Received a star for contributions to television at 6333 Hollywood Blvd (ceremony date Feb 8, 1960).
Guest-starred on Perry Mason (1964 & 1966)
Appeared twice on Perry Mason (1964 as Anthony Fry and 1966 as Clete Hawley), both times as the murder victim.
Appeared in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea ('The Village of Guilt')
Played a mad scientist who creates a mutant killer octopus in the 1965 episode 'The Village of Guilt.'
Directed and acted in Kid Rodelo; starred in The Doomsday Flight
Directed Kid Rodelo (also acted) and appeared in The Doomsday Flight (written by Rod Serling).
Appeared in The Power and The Valley of Gwangi
Featured in science-fiction film The Power and fantasy western The Valley of Gwangi.
Last theatrical film role: Change of Habit (1969)
Played the Bishop in Elvis Presley/Mary Tyler Moore film Change of Habit; his final movie role.
Wrote episodes for O'Hara, U.S. Treasury (1971–1973)
Contributed as a television writer (3 episodes) to O'Hara, U.S. Treasury during the early 1970s.
Wrote for TV series into early 1970s (Mannix, Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law)
Wrote episodes for multiple TV series including Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law and Mannix (dates circa 1971–1973).
Appeared in TV series Cannon and Owen Marshall
Guest roles in Cannon (1972–73) and Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1973).
Final acting role on television (Khan!)
Made his last on-screen appearance in an episode of the TV series Khan! in 1975 and retired from acting.
Buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery
Interred at Los Angeles National Cemetery in West Los Angeles.
Died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Encino, California
Richard Carlson died November 25, 1977 in Encino, CA and was buried in Los Angeles National Cemetery.
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