biography
| name: |
Gable, (William) Clark
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1901–60)
|
| biography:
| Actor, born in Cadiz, Ohio, USA. Leaving school at age 14 he worked at various jobs, from oilfield handyman to telephone repairman. In 1918 he was drawn to the stage and for several years he acted in productions from New York City to Oregon. In 1924 he entered Hollywood films as an extra, then enjoyed a hit on Broadway in Machinal (1928). He launched his film career in 1931 when he became a hit in The Painted Desert and made 11 further films that year. Although his large ears made some doubt if he would ever be a romantic lead, he combined his rugged masculinity with a casual charm that allowed him to play both ‘bad guys’ and heroes, and after he won an Academy Award for It Happened One Night (1934), he became ‘King of Hollywood’ and first choice for Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind (1939). After his third wife, Carole Lombard, died in a plane crash (1942), he joined the air force and flew bombing missions. On returning to Hollywood, he never quite regained his former glory but he remained popular with older fans. His final film was The Misfits (1961). |
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