Alan Ladd
from Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
from Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964) was an American actor and producer known for his cool, understated screen presence and his defining roles in 1940s and 1950s film noir and Westerns. Standing 5 ft 6 in (168 cm), Ladd became famous for the contrast between his modest height and his commanding on‑screen persona, a combination studios often enhanced through camera techniques and staging. He was frequently paired with Veronica Lake, one of the few major actresses shorter than he was, and together they became one of Hollywood’s iconic noir duos.
Born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Ladd moved to North Hollywood as a child and worked various jobs before entering the film industry. After years of small roles — including an uncredited appearance in Citizen Kane — he achieved stardom with This Gun for Hire (1942). His quiet intensity and stoic charm resonated strongly with wartime audiences, making him one of the decade’s top box‑office draws.
Ladd went on to star in a series of successful films, including The Glass Key (1942), The Blue Dahlia (1946), Whispering Smith (1948), Shane (1953), and The Proud Rebel (1958). Though his popularity declined somewhat in the late 1950s, he continued to work steadily in both film and television and produced several of his later projects.
Ladd died in 1964 at the age of 50 from cerebral edema caused by acute alcohol and barbiturate intoxication, which was ruled an accidental death. Despite his relatively short life, he remains a defining figure of classic Hollywood — a performer whose quiet strength, distinctive presence, and memorable roles continue to influence the Western and noir genres.
Self (archive footage)
Al - Baby Weems Storyboard Artist (archive footage) (uncredited)
Self (archive footage)
(archive footage)
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
(in "This Gun For Hire") (archive footage)
Self (archive footage)
Nevada Smith
Walt Sherill
Horatius
Jim Hadley
Sgt. Kincaid
Mitch Barrett
John Hamilton
Alexander 'Alec' Austen
John Chandler
Peter Van Hoek (The Dutchman)
Chad Morgan
Dr. James 'Jim' Calder
Caleb 'Cash' Adams
Opening Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Capt. Joseph C. 'Mac' McConnell, Jr.
Steve Rollins
Duncan Craig
Thomas O'Rourke
John
Self
Johnny MacKay
Shane
Paul Lartal
Steve 'Canada' McKendrick
Jim Bowie
Steve Gibbs
Hugh Tallant
Capt. Brett Sherwood
Captain Webster Carey
Al Goddard
Choya
Jay Gatsby
Ed Adams
Capt. Rockwell 'Rocky' Gilman
Whispering Smith
Sam McCloud (uncredited)
Alan Ladd
Joe Madigan
Major Larry Briggs
Johnny Morrison
John Martin / Lt. (j.g.) Philip Masson, U.S.N.R. / Philippe Martine
Charles Stewart
Neale Gordon
Salty O'Rourke
Alan Ladd
Alan Ladd
Skirmish on the Home Front
Harry W. Average
Doctor Merek Vance
Capt. Smith
David Jones
"Baby"
Alan Ladd
Philip Raven
Ed Beaumont
Lucky Jordan
Higgins Daughter's Boyfriend
Himself
Reporter Smoking Pipe at End (uncredited)
Richard Hartley
Jimmy Kelly aka Bill Dugan
Baby Weems Storyboard Artist
Soldier in Photo Shop (uncredited)
Harry - Musician (uncredited)
Military Training
Lieutenant, Platoon Leader, County Fair
Unfinished Rainbows
Charles Martin Hall
Gilpin - Student Pilot (uncredited)
Cadet in Trouble
Man on the Spot Reporter
Danny
John Pittman Jr.
TV Director (uncredited)
Mr. Williams
Keg Rearick
American Portrait
Young man / Old man
Newton
(uncredited)
Backwoodsman (uncredited)
Bill Allen
John Williams
Elevator Passenger (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Heyst as an 18-Year-Old (uncredited)
John Gilman
Narrator (uncredited)
Henchman
Karl Bach
Colin Farrell
First Auditioning Singer (uncredited)
Club Waiter (uncredited)
Student (uncredited)
Hospital Orderly (uncredited)
Soldier (uncredited)
Young Man (uncredited)
Sailor (uncredited)
Chief Quartermaster (uncredited)
Student (uncredited)
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
Student
Cadet
Projectionist (uncredited)