| Original Series Guest Star Keith Andes Dies [message #175531] |
Di, 29 November 2005 15:49 |
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Original Series Guest Star Keith Andes Dies
Keith Andes, who played Akuta in the original Star Trek episode "The Apple",
was found dead at his California home on November 11th, apparently a
suicide.
The Santa Clarita Valley Signal reported that Andes, 85, had died of
asphyxiation, according to a report from the Los Angeles County Coroners
Office. A lifelong smoker, he had suffered from bladder cancer, kidney
failure and lung disease although he was also devoted to fitness and went to
the gym two days before his death.
In addition to his role on Star Trek, Andes had been known for playing
General George C. Marshall in the Pearl Harbor film Tora! Tora! Tora! and
for appearances in such films as The Farmer's Daughter and And Justice for
All. He starred with Desilu co-founder Lucille Ball on Broadway in Wildcat
and with Marilyn Monroe in the film Clash By Night.
On Star Trek he played a native of a planet controlled by a godlike being
called Vaal. Friends described him as down-to-earth about his success and
passionate about his motorcycle. He is survived by two sons and three
grandchildren.
A more complete listing of Andes' credits may be found at the Internet Movie
Database.
Biography for Keith Andes
1950s and 60s second lead actor Keith Andes fit in the strappingly handsome
and virile mold of a George Nader, Guy Madison, and Jeffrey Hunter.
Although he is not as well remembered as the aforementioned, he managed to
maintain a reliable career on radio, stage, TV and films for over three
decades.
Born July 12, 1920 in New Jersey, Keith found work on radio singing and
acting throughout his high school years.
While serving with the Air Force during WWII, he performed in the patriotic
1943 Broadway stage show "Winged Victory" and had a very minor part in the
film version the following year.
He ventured on in the post-war years and won the role of one of Loretta
Young's brothers (the others were Lex Barker and James Arness) in the
classic film The Farmer's Daughter (1947).
His enviable physique and photogenic good looks made the blond looker an
obvious choice to continue in rugged adventures and beefcake drama but his
output was fairly minimal.
In Clash by Night (1952), one of his best roles, he dallied hot and heavy
with a young _Marilyn Monroe_ and in Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952) he
demonstrated some expert swashbuckling.
Meanwhile on the musical stage, Keith proved he had a resilient baritone,
winning a Theatre World Award for "The Chocolate Soldier" in 1947.
Subsequently, he starred in "Kiss Me Kate" with Anne Jeffreys of TV's
"Topper" (1953) fame, appeared opposite Lucille Ball in her only Broadway
musical "Wildcat" in 1960, and wound things up playing Don Quixote for over
400 performances in "Man of La Mancha" in 1968.
Ironically, the movie studios did not take advantage of his musical prowess,
appearing in a bland, non-singing role with Jane Powell in The Girl Most
Likely (1957). Beside numerous episodic appearances, he appeared in two
series: "This Man Dawson" (1959) and the sitcom "Glynis" (1963) starring
Brit actress Glynis Johns. Both were short-lived. Slowing down by the 1970s,
he appeared very infrequently on camera while finding occasional voiceover
work.
Spouse
Shelah Hackett (1961 - ?)
Jean Alice Cotton (1948 - 1961) (divorced)
Regards
John Hopkins
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