Richard Davalos, who played James Dean’s brother Aron in the 1955 film East of Eden, passed away on March 8, 2024, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. He was 85 years old. The cause of death was not disclosed by his family or the hospital. In this article, we will pay tribute to the life and career of the actor, who also appeared in other classic films such as Cool Hand Luke and Kelly’s Heroes.
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Early Life and Breakthrough Role
Richard Davalos was born on November 5, 1930, in New York City, of Spanish and Finnish descent. He developed an interest in acting at a young age, and performed in a school play of Cinderella when he was six years old. He later studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he met his future wife, Ellen Van Der Hoeven.
Davalos made his film debut in 1955, in the Warner Bros. epic East of Eden, directed by Elia Kazan and based on the novel by John Steinbeck. He played Aron Trask, the son of a California farmer and the twin brother of Cal Trask, portrayed by James Dean. The film was a critical and commercial success, and earned Davalos a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising Newcomer. He also won the Theatre World Award for his performances in the Arthur Miller plays A View from the Bridge and A Memory of Two Mondays.
Other Film and Television Roles
After East of Eden, Davalos continued to work in film and television, often playing soldiers, convicts, or rebels. He starred in the war drama All the Young Men (1960), opposite Alan Ladd and Sidney Poitier, and the horror film The Cabinet of Caligari (1962), a remake of the German expressionist classic. He also had a memorable role as Blind Dick, a prisoner who tries to escape with Paul Newman’s character in Cool Hand Luke (1967).
Davalos also appeared in several TV shows, such as Bonanza, Perry Mason, Rawhide, The Rat Patrol, and The Rockford Files. He had a leading role in the short-lived NBC series The Americans (1961), which depicted the Civil War from the perspectives of two brothers who fought on opposite sides. He also guest-starred in episodes of Hawaii Five-O, The Jeffersons, Hart to Hart, and Murder, She Wrote.
Personal Life and Legacy
Davalos was married to Ellen Van Der Hoeven, a Dutch actress and model, from 1957 until her death in 1998. They had two daughters, Elyssa and Dominique, who both followed their parents into show business. Elyssa is an actress who appeared in films such as MacGyver and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Dominique is a musician and singer who fronts the rock band Dominatrix. Davalos was also the grandfather of Alexa Davalos, who stars in the Amazon series The Man in the High Castle.
Davalos was a private and humble person, who avoided the Hollywood spotlight and preferred to spend time with his family and friends. He was also an avid reader and a fan of classical music. He was a lifelong friend of James Dean, who died in a car crash shortly after filming East of Eden. Davalos kept a photo of Dean in his wallet until his own death.
Davalos was also admired by many fans and artists, especially in the music industry. He appeared on the covers of several albums by the British rock band The Smiths, such as Strangeways, Here We Come, Best…I, and …Best II. The band’s singer, Morrissey, was a fan of Davalos and East of Eden, and chose his image for the album artwork.
Richard Davalos was a talented and versatile actor, who left a lasting impression on the film and television industry. He will be remembered for his roles in East of Eden, Cool Hand Luke, and other classics, as well as for his personal charm and integrity. He is survived by his two daughters, his granddaughter, and his fans around the world.
