Glenn Corbett was a popular American actor who appeared in many movies and television shows for more than three decades. He is best known for his roles as Pat Garrett in Chisum, Jason Aldrich in The Doctors, and Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek. However, his life and career were cut short by a deadly disease that claimed his life in 1993. What was Glenn Corbett’s cause of death and how did he cope with his illness? Here is a brief overview of his life, career, and death.
Early Life and Career
Glenn Corbett was born as Glenn Edwin Rothenburg on August 17, 1933, in El Monte, California. He was the son of John Warren Rothenburg, a garage mechanic, and Sarah Bell Holland. He served in the US Navy as a Seabee and then attended Occidental College in Los Angeles, where he met his future wife Judy. She encouraged him to pursue acting and he soon landed a contract with Columbia Pictures.
He made his film debut in The Crimson Kimono in 1959 and then appeared in several other films, such as The Mountain Road, Homicidal, and The Pirates of Blood River. He also starred in the TV series Route 66, replacing George Maharis in the cast. He received positive reviews for his performance and continued to work in both film and television throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Some of his notable roles include Jacob in Shenandoah, Paul Morgan in The Road West, Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: The Original Series, Dr. Tom Halverson in Medical Center, Paul Bracken in The Name of the Game, and John Wayne’s son-in-law James McCandles in Big Jake. He also played Pat Garrett in Chisum, opposite John Wayne as John Chisum, and was praised for his portrayal of the legendary lawman.
Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Death
In the late 1970s, Corbett joined the cast of the daytime soap opera The Doctors as Jason Aldrich, a role he played until 1979. He then moved to the primetime soap Dallas as Paul Morgan, a love interest for Sue Ellen Ewing. He appeared in 22 episodes from 1983 to 1988.
However, during this time, Corbett was also battling lung cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease in 1987 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He continued to work despite his illness and even appeared in two more films: Nashville Girl and Midway.
Unfortunately, his condition worsened and he died on January 16, 1993, at the age of 59. He passed away at the Veterans Administration hospital in San Antonio, Texas, where he had been receiving treatment. He was survived by his wife Judy and their two children, Jason and Jocelyn.
Legacy and Tribute
Glenn Corbett was a talented and versatile actor who left behind a rich legacy of films and television shows. He was admired by his fans and colleagues for his charisma, professionalism, and courage. He was also a devoted husband and father who loved his family dearly.
After his death, he was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. He was also honored by Star Trek fans who considered him the original Zefram Cochrane, the inventor of warp drive. In 1996, James Cromwell played the same role in Star Trek: First Contact and paid tribute to Corbett by wearing a replica of his medallion from the original episode.
Glenn Corbett’s cause of death was a tragic loss for the entertainment industry and his loved ones. He will always be remembered as one of the stars of Hollywood’s golden age who brought joy and excitement to millions of viewers around the world.
