Forrest Tucker

Forrest Meredith Tucker was an American actor in both movies and television who appeared in nearly a hundred films. Tucker worked as a vaudeville straight man, aged fifteen years old. A mentor provided funds and contacts for a trip to California, where party hostess Cobina Wright persuaded guest, Wesley Ruggles to give Tucker a screen test, based on his photogenic good looks, thick wavy hair and height of six feet, five inches putting him into the same league as John Wayne, Chuck Connors, Fess Parker, Jim Arness and his younger brother Peter Graves. Tucker was a sight reader who needed only one take, and his film career started well despite a perception in most Hollywood studios that blond men were not photogenic, but he enlisted during World War II. After twenty years mainly he spent in westerns and action roles, he returned to his roots showing versatility as a comedic and stage musical actor. He also became identified with a character in the TV show F Troop, in which he played an

Tucker described himself as a farm boy. He was born in Plainfield, Indiana, a son of Forrest A. Tucker and his wife, Doris Heringlake. His mother has been described as an alcoholic. Tucker began his performing career at ageat the 1933 Chicago Worlds Fair, pushing the big wicker tourist chairs by day and singing Throw Money at night. After his family moved to Washington, D.C., Tucker attracted the attention of Jimmy Lake, the owner of the Old Gaiety Burlesque Theater, by winning its Saturday night amateur contest on consecutive weeks. After his second win, Tucker was hired fulltime as master of ceremonies at the theatre. However, his initial employment there was shortlived it was soon discovered that Tucker was underage. Tucker graduated from WashingtonLee High School, Arlington, Virginia, near Washington, D.C., in 1938. Tucker joined the United States Army cavalry. He was stationed at Fort Myer in Arlington County, Virginia, but was discharged when his age became known. He returned

Source: Wikipedia