Preston Foster was an American actor and singer who had a long and versatile career in stage, film, radio, and television. He appeared in over 100 movies and dozens of TV shows, and also had a successful career as a vocalist. He died of a heart attack on July 14, 1970, at the age of 69. Here is a brief overview of his life and death.
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Early Life and Career
Preston Foster was born on August 24, 1900, in Ocean City, New Jersey. He was the eldest of three children of Walter and Sallie Foster, who were both natives of New Jersey. Preston had two sisters, Mabel and Anna. His father worked as a painter and a machinist. Preston showed an early interest in music and theater, and began working in films in 1929 after acting on Broadway. He also worked as a clerk for the New York Ship Company in Camden, New Jersey, before pursuing his acting career full-time.
Stage and Film Career
Preston Foster had a prolific and diverse career in stage and film. He starred in many genres, including musicals, comedies, dramas, westerns, and crime films. Some of his notable films include Doctor X (1932), Annie Oakley (1935), The Last Days of Pompeii (1935), The Informer (1935), Geronimo (1939), My Friend Flicka (1943), and The Harvey Girls (1946). He also appeared in several Broadway plays, such as Two Seconds (1931), The Silver Cord (1933), and The Sun Field (1942).
Radio Actor and Vocalist
Preston Foster was also a talented radio actor and vocalist. He had his own radio show, The Preston Foster Show, which aired from 1941 to 1942. He also appeared in many radio dramas, such as Lux Radio Theatre, Suspense, and The Screen Guild Theater. He had a rich and powerful voice, and recorded several songs, such as “Got a Date with an Angel”, “I’m in the Mood for Love”, and “The Way You Look Tonight”.
Television Work
Preston Foster was one of the first film actors to transition to television. He starred in several TV shows, such as Waterfront (1954-1956), The Loretta Young Show (1956-1957), and Gunslinger (1961). He also guest-starred in many popular shows, such as Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, and Bonanza. His last TV appearance was in The F.B.I. in 1968.
Personal Life and Death
Preston Foster was married twice. His first wife was Gertrude E. (Warren) Leonard, a widow and stage actress who was seven years older than him. They married in 1925 and divorced in 1945. His second wife was Sheila Darcy, a film actress who co-starred with him in several movies. They married in 1946 and remained together until his death. He had one daughter, Stephanie Foster, from his second marriage.
Preston Foster died of a heart attack on July 14, 1970, at the age of 69. He was in La Jolla, California, where he had a home. He was buried at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego, California. He left behind a legacy of entertainment and a charitable foundation that supports various causes. He was also the father of Preston T. Foster, a businessman and philanthropist who died in a car accident in 2020.
