Richard Long was an American actor who starred in several popular TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s, such as The Big Valley, Nanny and the Professor, and Bourbon Street Beat. He was also a frequent guest star on other shows, such as 77 Sunset Strip, The Twilight Zone, and Wagon Train. He had a promising film career before he was drafted into the Korean War, and he appeared in movies such as The Egg and I, Cult of the Cobra, and House on Haunted Hill. He was married twice, first to actress Suzan Ball, who died of cancer in 1955, and then to actress Mara Corday, with whom he had three children. He died of a heart attack in 1974 at the age of 47. This article will explore his life, career, and tragic death in more detail.
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Early Life and Film Career
Richard Long was born on December 17, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was a child, and he attended Hollywood High School. He had no intention of becoming an actor, but he took a senior drama class to fulfill an English requirement. There, he caught the attention of a casting director from International Pictures, who offered him a screen test. He passed the test and landed his first film role in Tomorrow Is Forever (1946), playing the son of Claudette Colbert and Orson Welles. Welles was impressed by Long’s performance and cast him again in The Stranger (1946), where he played the younger brother of Loretta Young.
Long signed a contract with Universal Pictures, which had merged with International Pictures. He played Tom Kettle, the eldest son of Ma and Pa Kettle, in four films based on The Egg and I (1947), which were very successful at the box office. He also appeared in other films for Universal, such as Tap Roots (1948), Criss Cross (1949), The Life of Riley (1949), and All I Desire (1953). He showed his versatility by playing different types of roles, from comedy to drama to horror.
Military Service and TV Career
In December 1950, Long was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He served for two years at Fort Ord, California. When he returned to Hollywood, he found that his film career had stalled. He decided to turn to television, which was a new and growing medium at the time. He started as a guest star on various shows, such as Lux Video Theatre, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Climax!, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and The Millionaire.
In 1959, he got his first regular role on a TV series: Bourbon Street Beat. He played Rex Randolph, a private detective working in New Orleans with two partners. The show was part of Warner Bros.’ stable of detective shows, along with 77 Sunset Strip and Hawaiian Eye. It lasted for one season before being canceled. Long then joined the cast of 77 Sunset Strip for its third season, playing attorney Rex Williams. He left the show after one season as well.
In 1965, he landed his most famous role: Jarrod Barkley on The Big Valley. He played the eldest son of Victoria Barkley (Barbara Stanwyck), a wealthy ranch owner in California’s San Joaquin Valley in the 1870s. He had three siblings: Nick (Peter Breck), Audra (Linda Evans), and Heath (Lee Majors). Jarrod was a lawyer who often helped his family and others with legal matters. He was also a gentleman who valued justice and peace. The show was a hit with audiences and critics alike, and it ran for four seasons until 1969.
Long’s final TV role was Professor Harold Everett on Nanny and the Professor. He played a widowed college professor who hired a nanny (Juliet Mills) to take care of his three children. The nanny turned out to have magical powers that often caused chaos and confusion in the household. The show was a light-hearted comedy that appealed to families and children. It ran for three seasons from 1970 to 1971.
Personal Life and Death
Long married Suzan Ball in 1954 after a whirlwind romance. Ball was an actress who had appeared in films such as East of Sumatra (1953) and Chief Crazy Horse (1955). She was diagnosed with cancer shortly after their wedding and underwent several surgeries to remove tumors from her leg. She died in 1955 at the age of 21.
Long remarried in 1957 to Mara Corday, another actress who had worked with him in Tarantula (1955) and The Black Scorpion (1957). They had three children: Valerie (born in 1958), Gregory (born in 1960), and Carey (born in 1963). They remained married until Long’s death.
Long suffered from a heart condition that caused him to have multiple heart attacks. He had his first one in 1964, while filming The Big Valley. He had another one in 1970, while filming Nanny and the Professor. He had his final one on December 21, 1974, while he was at home with his family. He was rushed to the hospital, but he died on the way. He was 47 years old.
Long was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. His grave is marked by a simple plaque that reads: “Richard Long / Beloved Husband and Father / 1927-1974”.
Legacy and Influence
Richard Long was a talented and versatile actor who left a lasting impression on many viewers and fans. He was known for his handsome looks, his charming personality, and his ability to play different genres and characters. He was also a devoted husband and father who loved his family dearly.
Long’s work has been preserved and celebrated by various media outlets and platforms. His films and TV shows have been released on DVD, Blu-ray, and streaming services. His fans have created websites, blogs, and social media pages dedicated to him and his career. His co-stars and colleagues have spoken fondly of him and his contributions to the entertainment industry.
Richard Long may be gone, but he is not forgotten. He lives on through his films and TV shows, which continue to entertain and inspire new generations of viewers. He is remembered as a TV star who brought joy and excitement to millions of people around the world.
