Alan Ladd (September 3, 1913 - January 29, 1964) was an American film actor. Famous for his emotionless demeanor and small stature (5'5"/165 cm tall). In just about all of his films he played the hero or a bad guy with a conscience.
Ladd was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas to English immigrant parents, and died in Palm Springs, California of an overdose of alcohol and sedatives at the age of 50.
After first becoming a star with his performance as a hitman with a conscience in This Gun for Hire (1942), he became most famous for his starring role as a gunfighter in the classic 1953 western Shane. Veronica Lake was an ideal co-star; as she was so petite, she made him seem taller than he really was.
Ladd also worked in radio, most notably the syndicated series Box 13. Box 13 ran from 1948 to 1949 and was produced by Ladd's own company, Mayfair Productions.
He was sometimes listed as Allan Ladd in credits. His son Alan Ladd, Jr. became a motion picture executive and producer. Another son David Ladd was married to Charlie's Angels star Cheryl Ladd.
Alan Ladd was married to silent film actress Sue Carol, who was also his manager. Actress Jordan Ladd is his granddaughter.
On his passing in 1964, due to alcohol and sedative overdose, he was entombed in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Shane (1953)
