Broderick Crawford
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William Broderick Crawford (born December 9, 1911; died April 26, 1986) was an American actor. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Lester Crawford and Helen Broderick, he was stereotyped as a rough-talking tough guy, frequently a bad guy. His parents were vaudeville performers, and his mother, Helen Broderick, had a minor career in Hollywood comedies. Crawford gained fame in 1937 when he starred in Of Mice and Men on Broadway. He moved to Hollywood afterwards, but did not get the role in the movie version of the play.
In 1949, Crawford was cast as Willie Stark (a character based on Louisiana politician Huey Long) in All the King's Men, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The following year he starred in another smash hit film, Born Yesterday.
Despite these successes, Crawford's career suffered due to type casting. He moved to television, most notably starring in the police drama series Highway Patrol, as "Chief" Dan Matthews. He made several European films, but few more in Hollywood.
Crawford died in 1986 in Rancho Mirage, California, after suffering a stroke.
Crawford has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures at 6901 Hollywood Blvd., and one for television at 6734 Hollywood Blvd.
[edit] Trivia
Crawford was known to the Southern California law enforcement community as Old 502 due to his habit of driving under the influence of alcohol ("502" is the California radio code for drunken driving).
"Matthews'" famous radio call, "2150 to headquarters," was frequently spoofed as "5150 to headquarters." "5150" is the California code for an insane person.
He appeared as himself on an episode of CHiPs, stopped for speeding by Ponch, who makes reference to Crawford's trademark role.
| Preceded by Laurence Olivier for Hamlet |
Academy Award for Best Actor 1949 for All the King's Men |
Succeeded by José Ferrer for Cyrano de Bergerac |
