Woody Strode

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    WOODY STRODE


    Information From IMDb


    Date of Birth
    25 July 1914, Los Angeles, California, USA


    Date of Death
    31 December 1994, Glendora, California, USA (lung cancer)


    Birth Name
    Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode


    Height
    6' 4" (1.93 m)


    Spouse
    Tina (10 May 1982 - 31 December 1994) (his death)
    Luana Strode (1940 - 1980) (her death) 2 children


    Trivia
    Strode was one of the first four blacks who integrated major league pro football in 1946. The others were Bill Willis, Marion Motley of the Browns and fellow Ram Kenny Washington.


    The Rams gave Kenny Washington a tryout when they moved to L.A., and hired lineman Strode to be his roommate.


    Prior to 1946, Strode played semi-pro ball.


    Strode played several seasons for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League before moving back to the United States and beginning his film career.


    Former pro football player.


    Strode posed for one of two paintings commissioned by Adolf Hitler for the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.


    Reportedly, his favorite film from his career is Sergeant Rutledge (1960).


    Was a close friend of John Ford from the early 1960s until Ford's death, with Ford having preferred Strode's company over most other actors when the director became ill from cancer. Somewhat controversially, Ford usually waved off claims his films were racist by saying things like, "But my best friend Woody Strode is black."


    According to John Capouya's biography of Gorgeous George, Woody paid him a visit late in 1963, and was shocked and saddened to see the extent of his old friend's decline.


    Personal Quotes
    "Simply one of the most ridiculously perfect human specimens to ever walk the Earth." - Todd von Hoffman


    "If you're a nice guy, you can walk into a room anywhere in the world."


    Salary
    La collina degli stivali (1969) $75,000 for 10 weeks


    Mini Biography
    An athlete turned actor, Strode was a top-notch decathlete and a football star at UCLA. He became part of Hollywood lore after meeting director John Ford and becoming a part of the Ford "family," appearing in four Ford motion pictures. Strode also played the powerful gladiator who does battle with Kirk Douglas in Spartacus (1960)."
    IMDb Mini Biography By: Ray Hamel


    Mini Biography-2
    Played college football and broke color barrier at the same time as Kenny Washington. Met his wife, a Hawaiian princess and stand-in for the swim sequences for Dorothy Lamour. Woody played for the Los Angeles Rams after their move from Cleveland. He was also a professional wrestler, wrestling the likes of Gorgeous George. Woody lived in a modest home overlooking Glendora and the San Gabriel Valley, north east of Los Angeles about 25 miles.
    IMDb Mini Biography By: Bob Rea


    Filmography
    1. The Quick and the Dead (1995) .... Charlie Moonlight
    ... aka "Quick & Dead" - Japan (English title)
    2. Posse (1993) .... Storyteller
    3. Storyville (1992) .... Charlie Sumpter
    4. A Gathering of Old Men (1987) (TV) .... Yank
    5. On Fire (1987) (TV) .... Woody
    6. Lust in the Dust (1985) .... Blackman, Hard Case Gang
    7. The Cotton Club (1984) .... Holmes
    8. Euer Weg führt durch die Hölle (1984) .... Luther
    ... aka "Jungle Warriors" - USA, West Germany (video title)
    9. L'ultimo guerriero (1984) .... Sam
    ... aka "The Final Executioner" - International (English title)
    ... aka "The Final Executioner" - Japan (English title)
    10. Razza violenta (1984) .... Polo
    ... aka "The Violent Breed" - International (English title), Philippines (English title)
    ... aka "Real Soulja" - USA (video title)
    11. The Black Stallion Returns (1983) .... Meslar
    12. Vigilante (1983) .... Rake
    ... aka "Street Fighters" - Belgium (English title) (video title)
    13. Horror Safari (1982) .... Cal
    ... aka "Safari of No Return" - International (English title)
    14. Angkor: Cambodia Express (1982) .... Woody
    ... aka "Kampuchea Express" - USA (video title)
    15. "Fantasy Island" .... Makalo (1 episode, 1981)
    - The Proxy Billionaire/The Experiment (1981) TV episode .... Makalo
    16. Scream (1981) .... Charlie Winters
    17. "The Dukes of Hazzard" .... Willie (1 episode, 1980)
    - The Great Santa Claus Chase (1980) TV episode .... Willie
    18. Cuba Crossing (1980) .... Titi
    19. "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" .... Sergeant 'Big Red' MacMurthy (1 episode, 1979)
    - Return of the Fighting 69th (1979) TV episode .... Sergeant 'Big Red' MacMurthy
    20. Jaguar Lives! (1979) .... Sensei
    21. Ravagers (1979) .... Brown
    22. Kingdom of the Spiders (1977) .... Walter Colby
    23. Martinelli, Outside Man (1977) (TV) .... Shaker Thompson
    24. "How the West Was Won" (1977) TV mini-series .... Arapaho Chief
    25. Cowboysan (1977) .... Buddy
    ... aka "Cowboy-San!" - USA (alternative title)
    26. "The Quest" .... Tucker (2 episodes, 1976)
    - The Longest Drive: Part 2 (1976) TV episode .... Tucker
    - The Longest Drive: Part 1 (1976) TV episode .... Tucker
    27. Keoma (1976) .... George
    ... aka "Desperado" - USA (cut version)
    ... aka "Django Rides Again" - USA
    ... aka "Django's Great Return" - USA
    ... aka "Keoma: The Avenger" - USA (dubbed version)
    28. The Quest: The Longest Drive (1976) (TV) .... Tucker
    29. Cuibul salamandrelor (1976) .... Ben
    ... aka "The Billion Dollar Fire" - USA (video title)
    ... aka "The Million Dollar Fire" - International (English title) (literal title)
    ... aka "Oil" - Japan (English title) (TV title)
    30. Winterhawk (1975) .... Big Rude
    31. "The Manhunter" .... Ernie Sutton (1 episode, 1975)
    - Trial by Terror (1975) TV episode .... Ernie Sutton
    32. Colpo in canna (1975) .... Silvera
    ... aka "Loaded Guns" - Philippines (English title)
    33. Noi non siamo angeli (1975) .... Black Bill
    ... aka "We Are No Angels" - Philippines (English title)
    34. Key West (1973) (TV) .... Candy Rhodes
    35. The Gatling Gun (1973) .... Runner the Scout
    36. La mala ordina (1972) .... Frank Webster
    ... aka "Black Kingpin" - USA (video title)
    ... aka "Hired to Kill" - International (English title)
    ... aka "Hit Men" - USA (video title)
    ... aka "Hitmen" - USA (video title)
    ... aka "Man Hunt" - USA (video title)
    ... aka "Manhunt" - USA (video title)
    ... aka "Manhunt in the City" - International (English title)
    ... aka "The Italian Connection" - USA
    37. The Revengers (1972) .... Job
    38. The Last Rebel (1971) .... Duncan
    39. The Deserter (1971) .... Jackson
    ... aka "Ride to Glory" - USA (video title)
    ... aka "The Devil's Backbone" - USA
    40. Scipione detto anche l'africano (1971) .... Massinissa - re di Numidia
    ... aka "Scipio the African" - International (English title)
    41. Breakout (1970) (TV) .... Skip Manion
    42. Ciakmull - L'uomo della vendetta (1970) .... Woody
    ... aka "Chuck Moll" - USA
    43. La collina degli stivali (1969) (as Woody Stroode) .... Thomas
    ... aka "Boot Hill" - USA
    ... aka "Boot Hill: Trinity Rides Again" - USA (video box title)
    44. Che! (1969) .... Guillermo
    45. C'era una volta il West (1968) .... Stony - Member of Frank's Gang
    ... aka "Once Upon a Time in the West" - International (English title), UK, USA
    ... aka "There Was Once the West" - USA (literal English title)
    46. Shalako (1968) .... Chato (Apache chief)
    47. Seduto alla sua destra (1968) .... Maurice Lalubi
    ... aka "Black Jesus" - USA
    ... aka "Seated at His Right" - USA (literal English title)
    ... aka "Super Brother" - USA (unauthorized video title)
    48. "Tarzan" .... Chaka / ... (7 episodes, 1966-1968)
    - End of a Challenge (1968) TV episode .... Bangu
    - The Perils of Charity Jones: Part 2 (1967) TV episode .... Chaka
    - The Perils of Charity Jones: Part 1 (1967) TV episode .... Chaka
    - The Deadly Silence: Part 2 (1966) TV episode .... Sgt. Marshak
    - The Deadly Silence: Part 1 (1966) TV episode .... Sgt. Marshak
    (2 more)
    49. "Batman" .... Grand Mogul (2 episodes, 1966)
    - Marsha's Scheme of Diamonds (1966) TV episode .... Grand Mogul
    - Marsha, Queen of Diamonds (1966) TV episode .... Grand Mogul
    50. The Professionals (1966) .... Jake Sharp
    51. "Daniel Boone" .... Goliath (1 episode, 1966)
    - Goliath (1966) TV episode .... Goliath
    52. 7 Women (1966) .... Lean Warrior
    53. Genghis Khan (1965) .... Sengal
    54. "The Farmer's Daughter" (1 episode, 1964)
    - My Son, the Athlete (1964) TV episode
    55. "The Lieutenant" .... Holt (1 episode, 1964)
    - To Set It Right (1964) TV episode .... Holt
    56. Tarzan's Three Challenges (1963) .... Khan/Dying Leader
    57. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) .... Pompey
    58. Two Rode Together (1961) .... Stone Calf
    59. "Rawhide" .... Binnaburra / ... (2 episodes, 1961)
    - Incident of the Boomerang (1961) TV episode .... Binnaburra
    - Incident of the Buffalo Soldier (1961) TV episode .... Corporal Gabe Washington
    60. The Sins of Rachel Cade (1961) .... Muwango
    61. Spartacus (1960) .... Draba
    ... aka "Spartacus: Rebel Against Rome" - USA (poster title)
    62. Sergeant Rutledge (1960) .... 1st Sgt. Braxton Rutledge
    ... aka "The Trial of Sergeant Rutledge" - USA
    63. The Last Voyage (1960) .... Hank Lawson
    64. "The Man from Blackhawk" .... Tego (1 episode, 1960)
    - The Savage (1960) TV episode .... Tego
    65. Pork Chop Hill (1959) .... Pvt. Franklin
    66. The Buccaneer (1958) (as Woodrow Strode) .... Toro
    67. Tarzan's Fight for Life (1958) .... Ramo
    68. The Ten Commandments (1956) (as Woodrow Strode) .... King of Ethiopia
    69. "Jungle Jim" .... Zangurna (1 episode, 1955)
    - The Leopard's Paw (1955) TV episode .... Zangurna
    70. Buruuba (1955) .... Native Chief
    71. "Soldiers of Fortune" .... Gulio (1 episode, 1955)
    - Drums of Far Island (1955) TV episode .... Gulio
    72. Son of Sinbad (1955) (uncredited) .... Guard
    73. Jungle Gents (1954) (uncredited) .... Malaka
    74. The Gambler from Natchez (1954) .... Josh
    75. Jungle Man-Eaters (1954) (uncredited) .... One of Native Escorts to Biplane
    76. Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) (uncredited) .... Gladiator
    77. Mandrake the Magician (1954) (TV) .... Lothar
    78. "Ramar of the Jungle" .... Big Boy / ... (3 episodes, 1953)
    - King of the Watus (1953) TV episode (as Woodrow Strode) .... Chief Naruma
    - Thunder Over Sangoland (1953) TV episode (as Woodrow Strode) .... Big Boy
    - Voice of the Past (1953) TV episode (as Woodrow Strode) .... Na-Hoo
    79. City Beneath the Sea (1953) .... Djion
    80. Androcles and the Lion (1952) .... The Lion
    ... aka "Bernard Shaw's Androcles and the Lion" - UK (complete title), USA (complete title)
    81. Caribbean (1952) .... Esau, MacAllister Guard
    82. "Dangerous Assignment" .... Mongo (1 episode, 1952)
    - The Pat and Mike Story (1952) TV episode .... Mongo
    83. African Treasure (1952) (uncredited) .... Mailman
    84. Bride of the Gorilla (1951) .... Nedo - Policeman
    85. The Lion Hunters (1951) (as Woodrow Strode) .... Walu
    86. No Time for Love (1943) (uncredited) .... Black Sandhog
    87. Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) (uncredited) .... Rochester's motorcycle Chauffeur
    88. Sundown (1941) (uncredited) .... Tribal Policeman
    89. Stagecoach (1939) (uncredited) .... Man in saloon


    Stunts:
    1. The Gatling Gun (1973) (stunt archer) (uncredited)


    Soundtrack
    1. Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) (performer: "Sharp as a Tack")


    Self
    1. Black Rodeo (1972) (voice) .... Narrator


    Archive Footage
    1. Classified X (1998) (TV) .... Himself
    2. The 67th Annual Academy Awards (1995) (TV) .... Himself (Memorial Tribute)
    3. Il giustiziere del Bronx (1989) .... Sheriff Warren
    4. "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century"
    - A Blast for Buck (1980) TV episode (uncredited) .... Big Red
    5. Tarzan's Deadly Silence (1970) .... Marshak
    6. Tarzan and the Perils of Charity Jones (1967)

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 6 times, last by ethanedwards ().

    Woody Strode who was not only part of the
    The John Ford Stock Company
    but was also a personal friend, and made 4 movies with him.


    Quote

    Was a close friend of John Ford from the early 1960s until Ford's death, with Ford having preferred Strode's company over most other actors when the director became ill from cancer.


    Woody made 3 films with Duke


    The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)...Pompey
    The Long Voyage Home (1940)... Hank Lawson
    Stagecoach (1939)..Un-credited..Man in saloon


    He was a fine athlete, and to many a perfect speciman of mankind,
    playing many creditable parts, including his fine role
    as Draba in Spartucus.


    His crowning achievement, in most fans eyes,
    his performance as 1st Sgt. Braxton Rutledge
    in Sergeant Rutledge (1960)


    Apparently during the filming of Liberty Valance,
    Ford constantly teased Duke that
    Woody served in the forces and also about his football achievments

    Quote

    Duke...

    pointing at Woody,


    Quote

    There's a real footballer

    probably causing tensions between Duke and Woody,
    as a result nearly resulting in a fight!


    A fight Ford could do without,
    and as everyone realised, Duke would probably have lost!
    Woody was 47, and Duke 55, but Strode still had the body
    of the UCLA footballer, he had been 25 years before!!
    An injured Duke, would cost the studio 100's of thousands of dollars,
    in lost shooting time.


    Knowing this Ford pleaded

    Quote

    Woody, don't hit him!

    Ford, stopped production for a while,
    so the two men could cool off
    ****************************************************************


    For continuity here are the previous posts relating to Woody.

    Quote

    April 12th, 2010
    WaynamoJim


    Strode was also in The Last Voyage and was very good in that role. I thought he was at his very best in Sergeant Rutledge. He was the central character, it was about him and he made the most of it.

    Quote

    April 12th, 2010
    ethanedwards


    Thank Jim
    Indeed he was, as Hank Lawson.
    Having not profiled him, I hadn't checked through it all.

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 14 times, last by ethanedwards ().

    Hi Keith, Jim, thanks much for your input on him. I always liked what I saw him in. Speaking of Sergeant Rutledge, I do have one movie still from that movie but, it only shows Jeffrey Hunter and Constance Towers. Im looking for a couple with Woody in it and will get them soon as I do find some for sale. I know where I can get some with him and Kirk Douglas in: Spartacus-but just cant afford them at this time. Im hoping the seller does not sell them so I cna get them next month ;-))

    Keith, thank you for the profile on him, its a day maker ;-))

    Es Ist Verboten Mit Gefangenen In Einzelhaft Zu Sprechen..




    Great shot of him in The Professionals.

    Es Ist Verboten Mit Gefangenen In Einzelhaft Zu Sprechen..

    I have always been a fan of Woody Strode. The earliest movie I remember him in was "The Ten Commandments" - he was the Ethiopian king who pays his respects to the Pharaoh near the beginning of the movie. He also had a double role as one of the entourage of Pharaoh's sister that arrives at the Moses' home just before the first Passover!

    Cheers - Jay:beer:
    "Not hardly!!!"

    After seeing "Spartacus", I sat through anything with Woody Strode in it.
    I thought that he was exceptional in "The Professionals". One scene that hit me was when the four are scouting Raza's camp, Lee Marvin tells Woody to quiet the horses - which made no sense since Robert Ryan was the horse master/wrangler. Then I realized that after the topless Si Si Chicquita was shown in the next scene that the film makers had to have the black guy out of the way.



    We deal in lead, friend.

    Hi Keith, sorry its been so long since last visit and current reply but, thanks and im looking forward to seeing your work on Woody Strode. Oh and, a VERY nice, kind gent gave me one of his Movie Stills from Spartacus-which is a great shot of both Kirk Douglas and Woody Strode in the Gladiators Arena just befor ethey start fighting. I have this and about 80 other movie still images on a photo CD and I already have extra copies of it made. If you would like a copy? please send me your address and ill send you a copy of it. Also on it are many many more images of many movies you have profiled-both War and Western.

    Hi Jim, ive never heard of that movie? is it somkind of a sea adventure movie? A few favorite Strode movies of mine are: Pork Chop Hill, Spartacus, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Professionals and of course: Sergeant Rutledge ;-))

    Es Ist Verboten Mit Gefangenen In Einzelhaft Zu Sprechen..

    Hi Ringo. I assume you are talking to me about The Last Voyage. It starred Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone and George Sanders and is about an ocean liner that runs into trouble when a boiler explodes and the ship begins sinking. The jist of the story is that when the explosion occurs, it blows right through the cabin of a couple, Stack and Malone, and traps Malone behind some wreckage. Stack tries everything to get her out before the ship goes under. Woody Strode is a crew member who gives Stack a huge hand in getting her out. It was a very good role for Strode. Oh and, Sanders is the ships captain. It was filmed aboard a retired liner, Ile de France, which they sank in the film for realism.

    Does anyone know exactly which scene had Woody in Stagecoach? Was that the scene at the start of the movie where John Carradine was sitting at a table talking to a guy (Woody?) with his back to the camera?

    I know this is kind of late to be writing this but, right now, TCM is showing The Last Voyage w/ Robert Stack, Edmond O'Brien, Geroge Sanders and, Woody Strode. I was looking to see what was on and came across it.

    woody strode was a great actor.my favourite films are sgt rutledge.the man who shot liberty valance,the professionals and once upon a time in the west. he was such a strong actor.he always left a mark in his films that you would never forget the performances he done.

    I think it needs to be pointed out that his "uncredited" role in Stagecoach is erroneous. The actor shown in that close-up is quite obviously not him. the nose and mouth are very different, and the actor in the close-up is a good deal older than Strode was at the time (23).


    He might very well HAVE been in Stagecoach as an extra, but he was NOT in that close-up in the bar...you can see for yourself at about 1:20:38