Date of Birth: December 26, 1914
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: March 24, 2008
Biography
Richard Widmark was an American actor born on December 26, 1914, in Sunrise Township, Minnesota. Widmark began his acting career in radio but gained fame with his debut film role as the villainous Tommy Udo in “Kiss of Death” (1947), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He became known for his versatility, starring in a variety of genres including film noir, westerns, and dramas. Some of his notable films include “Judgment at Nuremberg” (1961), “How the West Was Won” (1962), and “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974). Richard Widmark had a career that spanned over five decades, during which he became a respected figure in Hollywood. He passed away on March 24, 2008, in Roxbury, Connecticut.
5 Interesting Facts about Richard Widmark
1. Richard Widmark’s performance as Tommy Udo in “Kiss of Death” was so convincing that he reportedly received hate mail from viewers who couldn’t separate him from his character.
2. He was a lifelong liberal and was active in the civil rights movement.
3. Widmark was originally considered for the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991), a role that eventually went to Anthony Hopkins.
4. He was a dedicated sailor and owned a yacht named “The Lazy W.”
5. Despite his many villainous roles, Widmark was known to be a kind and gentle person off-screen.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Richard Widmark
1. “I suppose I wanted to act in order to have a place in the sun. I’d always lived in the shadow of my father and the brothers he lost in World War I.”
2. “I don’t care about being a star. I can do a supporting role; I don’t have to be the lead.”
3. “I don’t carry any particular respect for acting. I’m far more impressed by people like my father working to make a living.”
4. “The best thing about being a movie star is the freedom to do what you want to do.”
5. “I played more psychopaths, killers, and neurotics than you can shake a stick at.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Richard Widmark’s net worth was estimated to be around $1.5 million, a significant sum for the time.
Children
Richard Widmark had one child, a daughter named Anne Heath Widmark, who became an artist and writer.
Relevant Links
1. [IMDb Profile](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0927579/
2. [Wikipedia Entry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Widmark
4. [Hollywood Walk of Fame](http://www.walkoffame.com/richard-widmark
5. [Find a Grave Memorial](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/25524383/richard-widmark
