William Broderick Crawford (December 29, 1911 – April 26, 1986) was an American stage, film, and television actor. Known for his powerful screen presence and burly physique, Crawford's career spanned over four decades, during which he became famous for portraying tough, often authoritarian, and sometimes corrupt characters. He is best remembered for his Academy Award-winning performance as Willie Stark in the 1949 film All the King's Men and for his starring role as Chief Dan Mathews in the syndicated television series Highway Patrol (1955–1959).
Early Life
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Crawford was the son of two performers: Helen Broderick, a character actress specializing in droll comedy, and Lester Crawford, a vaudeville performer. His parents' theatrical background exposed him to the entertainment world from a young age. He attended various schools, including Dean Academy in Franklin, Massachusetts, and was briefly enrolled at Harvard University before dropping out to pursue a career in acting.
Career
Stage Career
Crawford began his acting career on the stage, initially working as a longshoreman and a radio announcer to support himself. His Broadway debut came in 1935 in the play Pantomime. He gained significant notice for his performance as Lenny Small in the original 1937 Broadway production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. This powerful role showcased his ability to portray complex and physically imposing characters, laying the groundwork for his future screen persona.
Film Career
Crawford transitioned to Hollywood in the late 1930s. His early film roles often saw him typecast as villains, tough guys, or secondary comedic relief. Some of his notable early films include Beau Geste (1939), The Real Glory (1939), and When the Daltons Rode (1940).
His career was interrupted by service in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, Crawford returned to filmmaking and began to take on more substantial roles. His breakthrough came with the 1949 film All the King's Men, directed by Robert Rossen. In this political drama, Crawford delivered a transformative performance as Willie Stark, a populist politician whose idealism gradually gives way to corruption and megalomania. His portrayal earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, beating out formidable contenders such as Kirk Douglas and John Wayne.
Following his Oscar win, Crawford solidified his status as a leading man. He starred opposite Judy Holliday in Born Yesterday (1950), playing the coarse, uneducated millionaire Harry Brock. Other significant film roles of this period include The Mob (1951), Human Desire (1954) directed by Fritz Lang, and The Fastest Gun Alive (1956).
Television Career
In the mid-1950s, Crawford found new fame on the small screen as Chief Dan Mathews in the syndicated crime drama Highway Patrol. The series, which ran from 1955 to 1959, was immensely popular and made Crawford a household name. His gruff voice, distinctive "10-4" radio call, and no-nonsense portrayal of a dedicated police chief became iconic.
After Highway Patrol, Crawford continued to work in both film and television, often appearing as a guest star in various TV shows and taking on character roles in films such as Goliath and the Barbarians (1959), The Square Jungle (1955), and Terror in the Wax Museum (1973). His later career saw him frequently appear in European productions, particularly Italian films, where he often played tough American characters.
Personal Life
Crawford was married four times. He had one son, Kelly Crawford, from his second marriage to Joan Patrick. Throughout his life, Crawford faced challenges with alcoholism and health issues, which affected his later career.
Broderick Crawford died on April 26, 1986, at the age of 74, in Santa Barbara, California, following a series of strokes.
Legacy
Broderick Crawford is remembered as a powerful and versatile actor capable of portraying a wide range of characters, from the noble to the nefarious. His intense performances and distinctive screen presence left an indelible mark on Hollywood, particularly through his Academy Award-winning role as Willie Stark and his iconic television character Chief Dan Mathews.
Selected Filmography
- Beau Geste (1939)
- The Real Glory (1939)
- When the Daltons Rode (1940)
- All the King's Men (1949)
- Born Yesterday (1950)
- The Mob (1951)
- Human Desire (1954)
- The Fastest Gun Alive (1956)
- Goliath and the Barbarians (1959)
- Up from the Beach (1965)
- A House Is Not a Home (1964)
- Terror in the Wax Museum (1973)
Selected Television
- Highway Patrol (1955–1959) – Chief Dan Mathews
- Rawhide (1962) – Guest appearance
- The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1967) – Guest appearance
- Kojak (1977) – Guest appearance
Awards and Nominations
- Academy Award for Best Actor – All the King's Men (1949)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama – All the King's Men (1949)
See Also
- All the King's Men (1949 film)
- Highway Patrol (TV series)
External Links
- Broderick Crawford at IMDb
- Broderick Crawford at TCM Movie Database
{{DEFAULTSORT:Crawford, Broderick}} [[Category:American male film actors]] [[Category:American male television actors]] [[Category:American male stage actors]] [[Category:Academy Award winners for Best Actor]] [[Category:Golden Globe Award winners for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] [[Category:Actors from Pennsylvania]] [[Category:20th-century American male actors]] [[Category:1911 births]] [[Category:1986 deaths]] [[Category:People from Philadelphia]] [[Category:People from Santa Barbara, California]] [[Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II]]