Alan Ladd
Birthday: 1913-09-03 | Place of Birth: Hot Springs, Arkansas, USAAlan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964) was an American actor and producer known for his cool, understated screen presence and his defining roles in 1940s and 1950s film noir and Westerns. Standing 5 ft 6 in (168 cm), Ladd became famous for the contrast between his modest height and his commanding on‑screen persona, a combination studios often enhanced through camera techniques and staging. He was frequently paired with Veronica Lake, one of the few major actresses shorter than he was, and together they became one of Hollywood’s iconic noir duos. Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Ladd moved to North Hollywood as a child and worked various jobs before entering the film industry. After years of small roles — including an uncredited appearance in Citizen Kane — he achieved stardom with This Gun for Hire (1942). His quiet intensity and stoic charm resonated strongly with wartime audiences, making him one of the decade’s top box‑office draws. Ladd went on to star in a series of successful films, including The Glass Key (1942), The Blue Dahlia (1946), Whispering Smith (1948), Shane (1953), and The Proud Rebel (1958). Though his popularity declined somewhat in the late 1950s, he continued to work steadily in both film and television and produced several of his later projects. Ladd died in 1964 at the age of 50 from cerebral edema caused by acute alcohol and barbiturate intoxication, which was ruled an accidental death. Despite his relatively short life, he remains a defining figure of classic Hollywood — a performer whose quiet strength, distinctive presence, and memorable roles continue to influence the Western and noir genres.
Known For
Acting
Role
as Johnny Morrison
as Self (archive footage)
as (in "This Gun For Hire") (archive footage)
as Horatius
as Nevada Smith
as Walt Sherill
as Jim Hadley
as Mitch Barrett
as Sgt. Kincaid
as John Hamilton
as Alexander 'Alec' Austen
as John Chandler
as Peter Van Hoek (The Dutchman)
as Chad Morgan
as Dr. James 'Jim' Calder
as Caleb 'Cash' Adams
as Capt. Joseph C. 'Mac' McConnell, Jr.
as Steve Rollins
as Duncan Craig
as John
as Johnny MacKay
as Thomas O'Rourke
as Hugh Tallant
as Paul Lartal
as Shane
as Steve 'Canada' McKendrick
as Steve Gibbs
