Hugh Marlowe was a versatile actor who appeared in movies, television, stage, and radio. He was best known for his roles in 20th Century Fox films such as Twelve O’Clock High, All About Eve, and The Day the Earth Stood Still. He also starred in sci-fi classics like Earth vs. the Flying Saucers and Seven Days in May. But how did this talented performer die? And what legacy did he leave behind?
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Hugh Marlowe’s Early Life and Career
Hugh Marlowe was born Hugh Herbert Hipple on January 30, 1911, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was of primarily English ancestry, with some of his ancestors being on the Mayflower. He began his stage career in the 1930s at the Pasadena Playhouse in California, where he adopted the stage name John Marlowe. He later changed it to Hugh Marlowe, which he used for the rest of his career.
He made his Broadway debut in 1936 in Arrest That Woman, and went on to appear in several plays, including Kiss the Boys Goodbye, The Land Is Bright, Lady in the Dark, Laura, and Duet for Two Hands. He also worked as a voice actor in radio programs, such as Brenda Curtis and The Adventures of Ellery Queen.
Hugh Marlowe’s Film and Television Success
Hugh Marlowe made his film debut in 1936 in Brilliant Marriage, but his breakthrough came in 1944 when he played John Truett, the love interest of Judy Garland’s character, in Meet Me in St. Louis. He then signed a contract with 20th Century Fox, and became a regular supporting actor in their films. He played opposite Gregory Peck in Twelve O’Clock High, Bette Davis in All About Eve, Richard Widmark in Night and the City, and Marilyn Monroe in Monkey Business.
He also starred in one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time, The Day the Earth Stood Still, in 1951. He played Tom Stevens, a reporter who befriends the alien visitor Klaatu, played by Michael Rennie. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is considered a landmark in the genre.
He continued to work in sci-fi films, such as Earth vs. the Flying Saucers in 1956, where he played Dr. Russell Marvin, a scientist who tries to stop an alien invasion. He also appeared in Elmer Gantry in 1960, Birdman of Alcatraz in 1962, and Seven Days in May in 1964.
He also had a prolific television career, appearing in shows like The Twilight Zone, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Perry Mason, The Andy Griffith Show, and Rawhide. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for his role as Jim Matthews in the soap opera Another World, which he played from 1969 to 1982.
Hugh Marlowe’s Personal Life and Death
Hugh Marlowe was married three times and had three children. His first wife was actress Edith Atwater, whom he married in 1941 and divorced in 1946. His second wife was actress K.T. Stevens, whom he married in 1946 and divorced in 1968. They had two sons, Hugh Marlowe II and Chris Marlowe. His third wife was Rosemary Torri, whom he married in 1968 and remained with until his death. They had one son, Jeffrey Marlowe.
Hugh Marlowe died of a heart attack on May 2, 1982, in New York City, at the age of 71. He was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery and Mausoleum in Hartsdale, Westchester County, New York.
Hugh Marlowe was a versatile and talented actor who left a lasting impression on the audiences and the industry. He was praised for his professionalism, his versatility, and his charm. He was a star of the golden age of Hollywood, and a pioneer of the sci-fi genre. He will always be remembered as one of the greats of the silver screen.
