Born May 1, 1916, in Quebec, Canada, Glenn Ford's family moved to Santa Monica, California in the early 1920s, where he began his journey in film. Despite his birth in Canada, Ford's American roots ran deep. One of his ancestors was none other than Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States. Patriotism ran strong, with Ford serving not only in the Marines, but in the Coast Guard and the Navy Reserves as well. I'm certain most fans don't realize that Glenn Ford saw two tours of duty in Vietnam. "Among his numerous medals and commendations are the Medal of Honor, presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the French Legion of Honor Medal for his service in World War II, two commendation medals from the US Navy and the Vietnamese Legion of Merit."
In addition to his four marriages (Eleanor Powell – Peter Ford's mother, Kathryn Hays, Cynthia Hayward, and Jeanne Baus), Glenn Ford's romances with Judy Garland, Brigitte Bardot, Debbie Reynolds, Hope Lange, Connie Stevens, Rita Hayworth, Joan Crawford, and Maria Schell also made the news. All were discussed in the recent Glenn Ford: A Life In Film, which was shown on the actor's 90th birthday celebration earlier this year. Medically fragile after a series of strokes, Ford was unable to attend the celebration in person, but he did make an appearance via videotape.
Glenn Ford, an American hero on screen and off, was found dead in his home on August 30, 2006. He was 90 years old. He is survived by his son Peter and daughter-in-law Lynda, their children, and friends and fans the world over.
My deepest sympathies go out to the Ford family, as well as a great debt of gratitude to Peter for sharing some of his memories of his father with me.
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Article comments
1 - diana hartman
I am pleased to tell you this article is being featured in the Culture Focus today, August 31st, and tomorrow, September 1st.
Diana Hartman
Culture Editor
2 - Triniman
He was quite something, wasn't he? He definitely won't be forgotten.
3 - Victor Lana
I always loved the dignity of his characters. My favorite was the teacher in Blackboard Jungle. He (and Sidney Poitier in To Sir, With Love) made me want to be a teacher despite what he went through in the movie.
Sadly, I think he was forgotten recently but a renewed interest in his body of work would be wonderful.
RIP, Mr. Ford.
4 - MCH
"During his service with the Marines in World War II, he helped build safe houses in France for those hiding from the Nazis. Mr. Ford also served two tours of duty in Vietnam and is the only actor to have served with both the Green Berets and the French Foreign Legion. Among his numerous medals and commendations are the Medal of Honor, presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the French Legion of Honor Medal for his service in World War II, two commendation medals from the US Navy and the Vietnamese Legion of Merit."
- www.meredy.com
The fact that Glenn Ford served two tours in Vietnam AFTER 50 YEARS OF AGE, shines a glaringly bright light-of-truth on the phoney "I'm too old" excuses used by the War-Wimps these days....
5 - Victor Plenty
After a certain age you can't join any U.S. military service, not even the National Guard.
If you are already a reservist they might let you change back to active status if you're still under 60 and in good health, but at the moment I don't think any of the services are accepting new recruits older than 30 or 35.
6 - MCH
"FORT KNOX, Ky. (
Army News Service, June 22, 2006) - The Army has raised the enlistment age to 42, made possible under provisions of the Fiscal Year 2006 National Defense Authorization Act.
The Army raised the active-duty age limit to 40 in January as an interim step while it worked out the additional medical screening requirements for recruits ages 40 to 42. Before January, an applicant could not have reached his or her 35th birthday. The Army Reserve age limit was raised from 35 to 40 in March 2005."
7 - Twilla
Thanks Mr. Ford for all the good works in film as well as your service to your country.. my personal favorite was Days of Wine and Roses.You were truly a star not like the imiatations of today.
8 - MCH
Re #5 and 6;
And I see no reason why they shouldn't bring back the draft and go all the way up to 55. If a Canadian like Glenn Ford can do it, why can't every pro-war 50s-plus American (who hasn't served yet) do it?