Matinee Classics - Aldo Ray Biography & Filmography

Aldo Ray ACTOR

PHOTOS

ALDO RAY BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Aldo Ray was born on September 25th, 1926 in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania with the birth name Also DaRe. He was born into a family with five brothers and one sister. When Aldo turned eighteen, he joined the United States Navy and fought during World War II.

After leaving his military service, he attended college at UC Berkeley but only remained there for a short time before dropping out and relocating to Crockett California. Aldo became interested in politics and was elected the 12th Township Constable of Crockett.

Aldo's brother, Guido was an actor and when Aldo drove him to an audition the director had more of an interest in hiring Aldo for the part. Columbia Pictures approached Aldo and offered him a contract which he accepted, despite ever having any interest in acting or any type of experience or training.

His first film was in 1952 with Judy Holiday in the movie, "The Marrying Kind" followed by an appearance in, "Pat and Mike" (1953) which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Newcomer.   He soon had the chance to star opposite Rita Hayworth in, "Miss Sadie Thompson" (1953) and from this point on his career was heading for stardom.

He continued to work on a variety of films such as, "Battle Cry" (1955), "Three Stripes in the Sun" and "We're No Angels" (both 1955). Aldo also took a chance at working as a radio actor and announcer at Syracuse, New York's top music station. However, by 1957, he chose to return back to Hollywood and the film industry.

Between 1957 and 1968 he appeared on a total of eleven films such as, "Men in War" (1957), Four Desperate Men" (1959), "River Boat" (1959) and "Sylvia" (1965). Even though it was not difficult for Aldo to get cast in a number of films, he was normally cast playing the same type of character, the 'tough guy'.

Along with his successful film career, he also worked as a television actor working on two pilots which sadly were never picked up.

By the 1970's however, his career began to decline with less roles being offered to him. Aldo continued to work but mostly in low budget films as mostly a character actor. Diagnosed with throat cancer, he would continue to work as an actor and take on any role offered to him to help cover the cost of medical bills. His final film role was in, "Shock 'Em Dead" (1991).

Aldo Ray married three times throughout his lifetime. His first marriage was to Shirley Green in 1947 and the couple had one child before they divorced in 1953. His second marriage was to Jeff Donnell an actress from 1954 through 1956 having no children. His third and final marriage was to Johanna Ray from March 26th, 1960 through March 1967 and they had three more children together. He did not marry again and on March 27th, 1991, Aldo passed away in Martinez, California from throat cancer at the age of sixty seven. His remains were cremated and buried in Crockett.