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Born: November 5, 1905 – Died: October 20, 1990
Joel McCrea, a renowned American actor, was born and raised amidst the glamorous surroundings of Hollywood. Fascinated by the movies being made around him, McCrea's passion for acting was ignited from a young age. He honed his skills at Pomona College and gained valuable stage experience at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, where he crossed paths with future stars like Randolph Scott and Robert Young. With his wholesome good looks and quiet demeanor, McCrea quickly rose to prominence as a sought-after leading man in romantic dramas and comedies. However, it was in the western genre that he truly left an indelible mark, captivating audiences with his talent and charm. Despite his immense contribution to the entertainment industry, McCrea's career may not have reached the levels of greatness that his friend Katharine Hepburn believed he deserved.
Early Life and Career
Joel McCrea's childhood and upbringing were shaped by his close proximity to Hollywood. Born and raised in the surrounding area, he developed a deep fascination for the movie industry from a young age. He further nurtured his passion for acting by studying the craft at Pomona College. McCrea's first taste of the stage came through his involvement with the Pasadena Community Playhouse, where he had the opportunity to work alongside future stars like Randolph Scott and Robert Young.
After graduating from the University of Southern California in 1928, McCrea embarked on his professional acting career. Initially working as an extra and performing stunt work, he eventually caught the attention of industry insiders and was offered a major role in the film "The Jazz Age." This marked a turning point in his career, as he secured a contract with MGM followed by a more favorable one with RKO Studios.
McCrea's breakthrough role came in 1940 with the film "Foreign Correspondent," directed by Alfred Hitchcock. This successful project propelled him to greater heights in the industry and established him as a versatile leading man. His work in films such as "Sullivan's Travels" and "Ride the High Country" further solidified his reputation and earned him critical acclaim.
In his personal life, McCrea was married to actors Frances Dee for an impressive fifty-seven years, until his death in 1990. They had three children together. Outside of his acting career, McCrea had a passion for ranching and roping, which he shared with his friend and fellow actor Randolph Scott.
McCrea is considered an icon in Hollywood, known for his wholesome good looks, talent, and versatility. His impact on the entertainment industry, particularly in western films, is still recognized today. His contributions to the world of cinema have solidified his status as a legendary figure in Hollywood's history. McCrea's lasting legacy as a talented actor and gentleman rancher continues to endure.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Mustang Country | Dan |
| 1971 | The Young Rounders | Unknown |
| 1970 | Cry Blood, Apache | Pitcalin as an Older Man |
| 1962 | Ride the High Country | Steve Judd |
| 1960 | The Crowning Experience | Prologue narrator |
| 1959–1960 | Wichita Town (TV Series) | Marshal Mike Dunbar | Mike Dunbar |
| 1959 | The Gunfight at Dodge City | Bat Masterson |
| 1958 | Fort Massacre | Sgt. Vinson |
| 1958 | Cattle Empire | John Cord |
| 1957 | The Tall Stranger | Ned Bannon |
| 1957 | Gunsight Ridge | Mike Ryan |
| 1957 | Trooper Hook | Sgt. Clovis Hook |
| 1957 | The Oklahoman | John |
| 1956 | The First Texan | Sam Houston |
| 1955 | Wichita | Wyatt Earp |
| 1955 | Stranger on Horseback | Judge Richard 'Rick' Thorne |
| 1954 | Black Horse Canyon | Del Rockwell |
| 1954 | Border River | Clete Mattson |
| 1953 | Shoot First | Taine |
| 1953 | The Lone Hand | Zachary Hallock |
| 1952 | The San Francisco Story | Rick Nelson |
| 1951 | Cattle Drive | Dan Mathews |
| 1951 | Hollywood Story | Joel McCrea |
| 1950 | Frenchie | Sheriff Tom Banning |
| 1950 | Saddle Tramp | Chuck Conner |
| 1950 | Stars in My Crown | Josiah Doziah Gray |
| 1950 | The Outriders | Will Owen |
| 1949 | Colorado Territory | Wes McQueen |
| 1949 | South of St. Louis | Kip Davis |
| 1948 | Four Faces West | Ross McEwen |
| 1947 | Ramrod | Dave Nash |
| 1946 | The Virginian | The Virginian |
| 1945 | The Unseen | David Fielding |
| 1944 | The Great Moment | William Thomas Green Morton |
| 1944 | Buffalo Bill | William Frederick 'Buffalo Bill' Cody |
| 1943 | The More the Merrier | Joe Carter |
| 1942 | The Palm Beach Story | Tom Jeffers |
| 1941 | Sullivan's Travels | John L. Sullivan |
| 1941 | The Great Man's Lady | Ethan Hoyt |
| 1941 | Reaching for the Sun | Russ Eliot |
| 1940 | Foreign Correspondent | John Jones |
| 1940 | Primrose Path | Ed Wallace |
| 1940 | He Married His Wife | T.H. Randall |
| 1939 | Espionage Agent | Barry Corvall |
| 1939 | They Shall Have Music | Peter |
| 1939 | Union Pacific | Jeff Butler |
| 1938 | Youth Takes a Fling | Joe Meadows |
| 1938 | Three Blind Mice | Van Dam Smith |
| 1937 | Wells Fargo | Ramsay MacKay |
| 1937 | Dead End | Dave |
| 1937 | Woman Chases Man | Kenneth Nolan |
| 1937 | Internes Can't Take Money | James Kildare |
| 1936 | Banjo on My Knee | Ernie Holley |
| 1936 | Come and Get It | Richard Glasgow |
| 1936 | Adventure in Manhattan | George Melville |
| 1936 | Two in a Crowd | Larry Stevens |
| 1936 | These Three | Dr. Cardin |
| 1935 | Splendor | Brighton Lorrimore |
| 1935 | Barbary Coast | Jim Carmichael |
| 1935 | Woman Wanted | Tony |
| 1935 | Our Little Girl | Dr. Donald Middleton |
| 1935 | Private Worlds | Dr. Alex MacGregor |
| 1934 | The Richest Girl in the World | Tony Travers |
| 1934 | Half a Sinner | John Adams |
| 1934 | Gambling Lady | Garry Madison |
| 1933 | Chance at Heaven | Blacky Gorman |
| 1933 | One Man's Journey | Jimmy Watt |
| 1933 | Bed of Roses | Dan |
| 1933 | The Silver Cord | David Phelps |
| 1933 | Scarlet River | Joel McCrea (uncredited) |
| 1932 | Rockabye | Jacobs Van Riker Pell |
| 1932 | The Sport Parade | Sandy Brown |
| 1932 | The Most Dangerous Game | Bob |
| 1932 | Bird of Paradise | Johnny Baker |
| 1932 | The Lost Squadron | Red |
| 1932 | Business and Pleasure | Lawrence Ogle |
| 1931 | Girls About Town | Jim Baker |
| 1931 | The Common Law | John Neville |
| 1931 | Born to Love | Barry Craig |
| 1931 | Kept Husbands | Richard 'Dick' Brunton |
| 1931 | Once a Sinner | Tommy Mason |
| 1930 | Lightnin' | John Marvin |
| 1930 | The Silver Horde | Boyd Emerson |
| 1930 | Framed | Waiter at the Casino Club (uncredited) |
| 1929 | Dynamite | Marco - Her Boy Friend |
| 1929 | So This Is College | Bruce Nolan (Babs' fiancé) (uncredited) |
| 1929 | The Single Standard | Blythe - One of the Philandering Men (uncredited) |
| 1929 | The Jazz Age | Todd Sayles |
| 1928 | The Five O'Clock Girl | Oswald |
| 1928 | The Divine Lady | Extra (uncredited) |
| 1928 | Freedom of the Press | Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited) |
| 1928 | Dead Man's Curve | Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited) |
| 1927 | The Enemy | Extra (uncredited) |
| 1927 | The Fair Co-Ed | Student (uncredited) |
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