Wright King obit

 

Wright King, Actor in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘The Twilight Zone,’ Dies at 95

Wright King, whose character received a kiss from Blanche DuBois in 'A Street Car Named Desire' during its original Broadway run, its first national tour and in the classic Marlon Brando-Vivien Leigh film, has died. He was 95.

 He was not on the list.

Wright King, whose character received a kiss from Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire during its original Broadway run, its first national tour and in the classic Marlon Brando-Vivien Leigh film, has died. He was 95.

King died Nov. 25 in the Woodland Hills area, family spokesman Jared Stine told The Hollywood Reporter.

The Oklahoma native also was memorable in a pair of Twilight Zone episodes, playing a newspaper reporter who thinks a man (Dennis Weaver) facing the death penalty may be innocent in 1961’s “Shadow Play” and the janitor/business tycoon who buys rights to land that will someday sprout oil in 1963’s “Of Late I Think of Cliffordville.”

 King portrayed the chimp veterinarian Dr. Galen who saves Charlton Heston’s life in the original Planet of the Apes (1968) and played Jason Nichols, Steve McQueen’s deputy sheriff, on CBS’ Wanted: Dead or Alive in 1960.

King had limited acting experience when he auditioned for director Elia Kazan, producer Irene Selznick and actress Uta Hagen (who was starring as Blanche) for the part of the young newspaper collector in the upcoming Chicago production of Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire.

He was hired and also got to work with Anthony Quinn as Stanley Kowalski (and Jack Palance as Quinn’s understudy), then spent all of 1948 with the Streetcar national tour.

When Hagen was asked to take over for Jessica Tandy in the Broadway production that had debuted with Brando playing Stanley in December 1947, the actress brought King along with her.

In Kazan’s 1951 movie version, Leigh’s Blanche flirts with King’s boyish and bashful Evening Star newspaper collector, saying, “You make my mouth water.” She kisses him “just once, softly and sweetly” on the lips before telling him to “run away now, quickly … It would be nice to keep you, but I’ve got to be good — and keep my hands off children.”

On a Warner Bros. soundstage in 1950, King spent a whole day kissing Leigh. “Counting rehearsals and actual takes, [King] kissed her 48 times,” Sam Stagg wrote in his 2005 book, When Blanche Met Brando.

“She was lovelier than you could imagine, and on the darkened movie set, when the light hit her, she was just gorgeous,” King said in a 2008 interview with the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “She seemed to float across the room to me. My God, the technique, the professionalism!”

King was born on Jan. 11, 1923, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He graduated from a high school in Mount Vernon, Illinois, and won a scholarship to the St. Louis School of Theatre before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1943. He was on a ship headed for Japan when World War II was declared over.

 

King hitchhiked from Mount Vernon to New York City and got a job playing Aladdin for eight months — at $35 a week — in a national theater production that catered to children. Later, he worked for the Yiddish Art Theatre.

After Streetcar closed on Broadway in 1949, King played the newspaper collector in a short run at the City Center in New York. “Two days later, I got a call; [Kazan] wanted me for the film,” he said. “I never wanted to be a movie star, but I sure wanted to be in that movie.

“Kazan was wonderful, but he liked to manipulate his actors to get what he wanted. At one point, he got me very disoriented and confused on the set, the camera was rolling, and that’s the shot he used.”

King later became a regular in Westerns, appearing in such films as The Young Guns (1956), Friendly Persuasion (1956), Stagecoach to Fury (1956), The Gunfight at Dodge City (1959) and Cast a Long Shadow (1959) and on TV in Gunsmoke, The Gabby Hayes Show and Cheyenne.

“I thanked God for my early horseback riding on the farm and that old Okie accent that I could drag up on a moment’s notice,” he said in an interview for the 2016 book The Encyclopedia of Feature Players of Hollywood, Volume 2.

King also appeared on Broadway in 1950’s The Bird Cage with Melvyn Douglas and Stella Adler, played inventor Earnest P. Duckweather on the 1953-54 syndicated TV comedy The Johnny Jupiter Show and showed up in other films like The Bold and the Brave (1956), Finian’s Rainbow (1968) and King Rat (1965).

Survivors include his sons, Wright Jr., Michael and Meegan, and several grandchildren. His wife of 60 years, June — whom he met when she was a secretary at the New York Times radio station WQXR — died in 2008.

 

Actor (113 credits)

 1978 The Critical List (TV Movie)

Dr. Kenderly

 1977-1978 Logan's Run (TV Series)

Jonathon

- Carousel (1978) ... Jonathon

- The Judas Goat (1977) ... Jonathon

- Logan's Run (1977) ... Jonathon

 1977 Police Woman (TV Series)

Marston

- Death Game (1977) ... Marston

 1977 Washington: Behind Closed Doors (TV Mini Series)

Duffy Weller

- Part 6 (1977) ... Duffy Weller

 1977 The Spell (TV Movie)

Rian

 1977 Most Wanted (TV Series)

Malcolm Hayes

- The White Collar Killer (1977) ... Malcolm Hayes

 1976 Helter Skelter (TV Mini Series)

Friend

 1976 Bronk (TV Series)

Sedley

- Target: Unknown (1976) ... Sedley

 1976 How the West Was Won (TV Series)

Infantry Captain

- The Macahans (1976) ... Infantry Captain

 1975 McCloud (TV Series)

Carter

- Three Guns for New York (1975) ... Carter

 1974 The Missiles of October (TV Movie)

Sen. Richard Russell

 1974 ABC Afterschool Specials (TV Series)

Joe Smiley

- The Toothpaste Millionaire (1974) ... Joe Smiley

 1974 Nightmare (TV Movie)

Director

 1973 The Streets of San Francisco (TV Series)

Les Slauson

- The Twenty-Four Karat Plague (1973) ... Les Slauson

 1973 Invasion of the Bee Girls

Dr. Murger

 1973 Room 222 (TV Series)

Mr. Sheldon

- To Go with the Bubbles (1973) ... Mr. Sheldon

 1972 House Made of Dawn

Father Olguin

 1972 Journey Through Rosebud

Indian Agent

 1970 Dan August (TV Series)

Gordon Elliott

- Quadrangle for Death (1970) ... Gordon Elliott

 1970 The Andersonville Trial (TV Movie)

Major Hosmer

 1970 Along Came a Spider (TV Movie)

Frank Dietzler

 1969 Lancer (TV Series)

Zack Blake

- The Knot (1969) ... Zack Blake

 1969 The Outcasts (TV Series)

Fred Willard

- Act of Faith (1969) ... Fred Willard

 1968 Mannix (TV Series)

Jonathan Webber / Robert Hartigan

- Night Out of Time (1968) ... Jonathan Webber

- License to Kill - Limit Three People (1968) ... Robert Hartigan

 1968 Judd for the Defense (TV Series)

J.W. Roe

- The Death Farm (1968) ... J.W. Roe

 1968 Finian's Rainbow

District Attorney

 1968 Shadow Over Elveron (TV Movie)

Dr. Parker

 1968 Planet of the Apes

Dr. Galen

 1967 The Invaders (TV Series)

Ed Tonkin

- The Condemned (1967) ... Ed Tonkin

 1965-1966 The F.B.I. (TV Series)

SAC Parker / Scott Boles

- The Camel's Nose (1966) ... SAC Parker

- An Elephant Is Like a Rope (1965) ... Scott Boles

 1964-1966 The Fugitive (TV Series)

Joe Penny / Dave Simmons

- Running Scared (1966) ... Joe Penny

- Never Stop Running (1964) ... Dave Simmons

 1965 12 O'Clock High (TV Series)

Maj. Hub Coefield

- Target 802 (1965) ... Maj. Hub Coefield

 1955-1965 Gunsmoke (TV Series)

Lon Jensen / Lon / Bud / ...

- The Bounty Hunter (1965) ... Lon Jensen

- No Hands (1964) ... Lon

- Abe Blocker (1962) ... Bud

- Colorado Sheriff (1961) ... Rod

- Little Girl (1961) ... Hi Stevens

Show all 8 episodes

 1965 King Rat

Brough

 1965 We Learn About the Telephone (Short)

Bill Matthews

 1964 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV Series)

Dr. Baines

- Submarine Sunk Here (1964) ... Dr. Baines

 1964 Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series)

Chaplain

- A Cruel and Unusual Night (1964) ... Chaplain

 1962-1963 Perry Mason (TV Series)

Sidney Weplo / Lee Gregson

- The Case of the Bouncing Boomerang (1963) ... Sidney Weplo

- The Case of the Poison Pen-Pal (1962) ... Lee Gregson

 1963 Rawhide (TV Series)

Collie Quade

- Incident of the Rawhiders (1963) ... Collie Quade

 1963 The Great Adventure (TV Series)

Lucas

- Six Wagons to the Sea (1963) ... Lucas

 1961-1963 The Twilight Zone (TV Series)

Hecate / Paul Carson

- Of Late I Think of Cliffordville (1963) ... Hecate

- Shadow Play (1961) ... Paul Carson

 1963 The New Loretta Young Show (TV Series)

Priest

- When You Are Near (1963) ... Priest

 1962 Dangerous Charter

Joe

 1962 Margie (TV Series)

Bradford

- The Professional Man (1962) ... Bradford

 1961 Bronco (TV Series)

Allen Miller

- The Harrigan (1961) ... Allen Miller

 1957-1961 Have Gun - Will Travel (TV Series)

Alejandro / Cull / Lane Kilmer / ...

- A Knight to Remember (1961) ... Alejandro

- Brother's Keeper (1961) ... Cull

- The Search (1960) ... Lane Kilmer

- The Chase (1959) ... Gyppo - Posse Member

- Helen of Abajinian (1957) ... Jimmy O'Riley

 1961 Tales of Wells Fargo (TV Series)

Will Norris

- Man of Another Breed (1961) ... Will Norris

 1961 Outlaws (TV Series)

Charlie Sonberg / Little Dick

- No Luck on Friday (1961) ... Charlie Sonberg

- The Bill Doolin Story (1961) ... Little Dick

 1961 Hazel (TV Series)

Leroy

- Hazel Makes a Will (1961) ... Leroy

 1961 Checkmate (TV Series)

Jim Barker

- Portrait of a Man Running (1961) ... Jim Barker

 1959-1960 Wanted: Dead or Alive (TV Series)

Jason Nichols / Joe Hooker / Seth Blake

- Prison Trail (1960) ... Jason Nichols

- Death Divided by Three (1960) ... Jason Nichols

- Vendetta (1960) ... Jason Nichols

- Black Belt (1960) ... Jason Nichols

- Triple Vise (1960) ... Jason Nichols

Show all 11 episodes

 1960 Johnny Ringo (TV Series)

Junior

- Judgement Day (1960) ... Junior

 1960 This Is the Life (TV Series)

Paul Brandt

- Red Tape (1960) ... Paul Brandt

 1959-1960 Playhouse 90 (TV Series)

Riley

- A Dream of Treason (1960)

- The Rank and File (1959) ... Riley

 1960 General Electric Theater (TV Series)

- Sarah's Laughter (1960)

 1959 The Rebel (TV Series)

Woody

- The Vagrants (1959) ... Woody

 1959 Cast a Long Shadow

Noah Pringle

 1959 The David Niven Show (TV Series)

Harry Nichols / David

- The Vengeance (1959) ... Harry Nichols

- The Promise (1959) ... David

 1959 Sugarfoot (TV Series)

Wolf Wilkes

- Wolf (1959) ... Wolf Wilkes

 1959 The Gunfight at Dodge City

Billy

 1959 Tombstone Territory (TV Series)

Jim Clark

- Warrant for Death (1959) ... Jim Clark

 1959 The D.A.'s Man (TV Series)

Eddie Lima

- Jail Watch (1959) ... Eddie Lima

 1958 The Texan (TV Series)

Mac Kernin

- Desert Passage (1958) ... Mac Kernin

 1958 The Walter Winchell File (TV Series)

Fisher

- The Night Prowlers: File #35 (1958) ... Fisher

 1957-1958 The Silent Service (TV Series)

McKenzie / Bill Bony / Pharmacists Mate M. L.Demers

- The Triton's Christmas (1958) ... McKenzie

- The Squailfish (1957) ... Bill Bony

- The U.S.S. Pampanito Story (1957) ... Pharmacists Mate M. L.Demers

 1958 The Loretta Young Show (TV Series)

Father Moore / Chuck Hendricks

- South American Uncle (1958) ... Father Moore

- Thanks to You (1958) ... Chuck Hendricks

 1956-1958 Cheyenne (TV Series)

The Kiowa Kid / Nevada Jones / Blaney Wilcox / ...

- Ghost of the Cimarron (1958) ... The Kiowa Kid / Nevada Jones

- Born Bad (1957) ... Blaney Wilcox / Pocatello Kid

- Quicksand (1956) ... Frank Endicott

 1958 Man Without a Gun (TV Series)

Danny

- Wanted (1958) ... Danny

 1957 The Gray Ghost (TV Series)

- Horses for Stuart (1957)

 1957 Maverick (TV Series)

Rick

- Hostage! (1957) ... Rick

 1957 Boots and Saddles (TV Series)

Pvt. Bennett

- The Obsession (1957) ... Pvt. Bennett

 1957 Father Knows Best (TV Series)

Mr. Beckman

- Follow the Leader (1957) ... Mr. Beckman

 1957 The Sheriff of Cochise (TV Series)

Brownie

- Hold Up (1957) ... Brownie

 1957 Hot Rod Rumble

Ray Johnson - Arnie's sidekick

 1956-1957 You Are There (TV Series)

Charley Ball

- The End of the Dalton Gang (October 5, 1892) (1957) ... Charley Ball

- Decatur's Raid at Tripoli (February 16, 1804) (1956)

 1957 State Trooper (TV Series)

Jamie Syckles

- The Widow Makers (1957) ... Jamie Syckles

 1955-1957 Navy Log (TV Series)

Thach / Joey McAdams

- Thach Weaves a Trap (1957) ... Thach

- Home Is a Sailor (1955) ... Joey McAdams

 1956 Alarm (TV Movie)

Sergeant Bill Martin

 1956 Stagecoach to Fury

Ralph Slader

 1956 Friendly Persuasion

Forager (uncredited)

 1956 The Young Guns

Jonesy

 1956 Telephone Time (TV Series)

Hans

- Mystery of Caspar Hauser (1956) ... Hans

 1956 The Bold and the Brave

Technician Fifth Grade

 1951-1956 Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series)

- Angels in the Sky (1956)

- The Lucky Touch (1951)

 1956 Chevron Hall of Stars (TV Series)

- Cold Harbor (1956)

 1955 Two Sons (Short)

Mark Bennett

 1955 Screen Directors Playhouse (TV Series)

2nd Soldier

- Day Is Done (1955) ... 2nd Soldier

 1952-1955 Kraft Theatre (TV Series)

Howie

- One Hill, One River (1955)

- The World and the Werners (1954)

- The Man Most Likely (1954) ... Howie

- The New Servant (1953)

- The Thief (1952)

Show all 6 episodes

 1954 Omnibus (TV Series) (segment "The Second Shepherds' Play")

- The Second Shepherds' Play (1954) ... (segment "The Second Shepherds' Play")

 1953-1954 The Big Story (TV Series)

Jack Crawley

- The Sioux City Story (1954) ... Jack Crawley

- Episode dated 26 March 1953 (1953)

 1952-1954 The Philco Television Playhouse (TV Series)

- The Shadow of Willie Greer (1954)

- Expectant Relations (1953)

- Tender Age (1952)

 1953-1954 Johnny Jupiter (TV Series)

Ernest P. Duckweather

- The Barbershop (1954) ... Ernest P. Duckweather

- Reject's Defect (1954) ... Ernest P. Duckweather

- Reject's Birthday Party (1954) ... Ernest P. Duckweather

- The Penny Arcade (1954) ... Ernest P. Duckweather

- The Geiger Counter (1954) ... Ernest P. Duckweather

Show all 39 episodes

 1952 Broadway Television Theatre (TV Series)

Danny

- Outward Bound (1952)

- The Nervous Wreck (1952)

- Night Must Fall (1952) ... Danny

- Three Cornered Moon (1952)

 1951-1952 Danger (TV Series)

- The Thread of Scarlett (1952)

- The Hands of the Enemy (1952)

- The Net Draws Tight (1951)

 1952 Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series)

- Penny (1952)

- Happy Birthday, George (1952)

 1952 The Adventures of Ellery Queen (TV Series)

- Episode dated 22 May 1952 (1952)

 1952 Betty Crocker Star Matinee (TV Series)

- Split Infinitive (1952)

 1952 Treasury Men in Action (TV Series)

- The Case of the Obedient Son (1952)

 1952 Suspense (TV Series)

Harvey Johnson

- Death Drum (1952) ... Harvey Johnson

 1952 Hallmark Hall of Fame (TV Series)

- Doctor Serocold (1952)

 1951 Studio One (TV Series)

Mike Nelson

- The Paris Feeling (1951)

- The Dangerous Years (1951) ... Mike Nelson

- Lonely Boy (1951)

- Shield for Murder (1951)

- Portrait by Rembrandt (1951)

 1950-1951 The Gabby Hayes Show (TV Series)

Danny

- Iowa Jima (1951)

- Newspaper Sam Clemens (1951)

- Southern (1951)

- Sam Bass (1951) ... Danny

- Young Sam Clemens (1951)

Show all 6 episodes

 1951 Out There (TV Series)

- Sense of Wonder (1951)

 1951 Crime Photographer (TV Series)

- The Fix (1951)

 1951 The Amazing Mr. Malone (TV Series)

- Episode #1.2 (1951)

 1951 Celanese Theatre (TV Series)

- Ah, Wilderness! (1951)

 1951 A Streetcar Named Desire

A Collector

 1950-1951 Big Town (TV Series)

- Box 243 (1951)

- Episode #1.4 (1950)

 1951 Pulitzer Prize Playhouse (TV Series)

- The Stolen City (1951)

- Valley Forge (1951)

 1951 Starlight Theatre (TV Series)

- Relatively Speaking (1951)

 1950 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series)

- Episode #4.15 (1950)

 1950 The Trap (TV Series)

- Lonely Boy (1950)

 1949 Captain Video and His Video Rangers (TV Series)

Midshipman Bascomb