| |
James
Brown
Desdemona's Celebrity Actor
by Linda Ruhl
"One of Baylor's earliest Hollywood success stories." |
| |
James Brown
as Lt. Rip Masters
with co-star Rin Tin Tin
Photo
courtesy thinhippo.com |
Desdemona,
Texas, became the birthplace of a future movie and TV star, when James Brown
was born on March 22, 1920. His parents came to Desdemona during the oil rush,
where his father, Floyd, worked as a carpenter. Some of the construction his father
took part in was the Desdemona Post office and Baptist church. The family moved
back to their home in Waco
sometime before 1924, where James attended elementary and high school, then went
on to study at Baylor University. The Baylor University Online Magazine refers
to him as "one of Baylor's earliest Hollywood success stories."
After
a brief career as a professional tennis player, this young athletic Texan began
a successful career in Hollywood. His career as an actor, which spanned over 40
years, included rugged military roles in films such as Wake Island (1942), Air
Force (1943), Objective Burma (1945), and Sands of Iwo Jima (1949). He also made
several westerns, in which he either starred or played supporting roles, and many
other films ranging from comedy to drama. |
| |
James Brown at the Charlotte, NC Film Festival, 1981
Photo courtesy
Cowboypals.com |
In
1954, James Brown was cast as the strong, handsome hero in the "Adventures of
Rin Tin Tin" tv show, a role which endears him to many "Baby Boomers" even today.
This show ran from 1954 to 1958, with 52 episodes recorded. It was re-released
in 1976, hosted by Brown, who reprised his Rip Master character for the program.
Two of the Rin Tin Tin episodes showcased Brown's musical talent, with him singing
"Forward Ho" in one episode and "The White Buffalo" in another. He had a rich
baritone voice and was a recording artist,backed by the "Trailwinders," for MGM
records.
While James Brown's resume includes many other films and television
appearances, most notably "Dallas," his work in the Rin Tin Tin series will live
in his fans' hearts for all time.
This fine actor passed away on April
11, 1992, after a long bout with lung cancer. |
|
|
