Matinee Classics - Richard Basehart Biography & Filmography

Richard Basehart ACTOR

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RICHARD BASEHART BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Richard Basehart was born on August 31st, 1914 in Zanesville, Ohio with the birth name John Richard Basehart. He is most remembered for his role as Admiral Nelson on the television series drama, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" (1964).

His career in acting began working as a stage actor performing in a number of Broadway productions. After gaining some years of stage experience he relocated to Hollywood and began appearing on such films as, "He Walked by Night" (1948), "Fourteen Hours" (1951), "The House on Telegraph Hill" (1951), "La Strada" (1954) and "Moby Dick" (1956) starring Gregory Peck.

Along with his work in film he was also seen on television such as in the televised play, "Valley Forge" (1975) and the television movie, "The Paradine Case" (1962). He also did voice over work for such projects as the mini series, "Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War" (1980). Other television credits included appearances on such series as, "Columbo", "Hawaii Five-O", "The Twilight Zone" and "Little House on the Praire".

In addition to his career as an actor he worked on the other side of the industry as well producing a number of sci-fi series in the mid 60's and also such films as, "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972) and "The Towering Inferno" (1974) starring Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden and Richard Chamberlain.

Richard Basehart married three times throughout his lifetime, first to Stephanie Klein in 1940 and they were together until she passed away in 1950. He then married Valentina Cortese in 1951 and they had one child before the marriage ended in divorce in 1960. His third and final wife was Diana Lotery whom he wed in 1962 and together they had two children and remained married until he passed away at the age of seventy on September 17th, 1984 in Los Angeles, California after suffering from multiple strokes.

His final acting job was in 1984 prior to his passing when he voiced the closing ceremonies for the Los Angeles Olympics. He and his third wife Diana founded the organization, Actors and Others for Animals in 1971.