Glenn Ford Birthday & Fun Facts

Glenn Ford Birthday Highlights

Birth Name

Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford

Place Of Birth

Quebec, Canada

Age

107 years old

Birth Date

May 1 1916

Glenn Ford Facts

Child Star?

no

Occupation

Actor

Education & Qualifications

Santa Monica High School

Net Worth

$12,000,000

Children

Peter Ford

Parents

Newton Ford, Hannah Wood Mitchell

Glenn Ford was also known as Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford.

On May 1, 1916, he took birth in Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne, which is located in Quebec, Canada. Glenn was well-known for his amazing performances in cowboy movies and his fine western standards.

His father was Newton Ford and his mother was Hannah Wood. He had no known siblings and his father, Newton Ford was an engineer. Glenn Ford attended the Santa Monica High School and participated actively in the school's drama presentations.

After graduation, he worked menial jobs where he began his acting career by featuring in stage productions by West Coast. He made his official television debut at age 23 and became a citizen of the United States by naturalization in 1939. Glenn Ford volunteered to join the US Marines in 1942 and received his first assignment to active duty in March 1943. He was trained at the Marine Base in San Diego.

He married Eleanor Powell, his first wife on October 23, 1943, and was redeployed to Quantico, Virginia a few months later. After his return, he was diagnosed with duodenal ulcers and was hospitalized for five months. Due to his diagnosis, he was medically discharged from service on December 7, 1944. For his service, although he had no combat duty, he was presented with several war medals. After World War II ended, Glenn Ford served in the Vietnam War and rose to the rank of captain.

Glenn Ford's most outstanding role was in his post-war movie, 'Gilda' where he acted alongside Hollywood's most beautiful actress of the '40s, Rita Hayworth. They went on to act together in a total of five films and during this time, they became inseparable friends. Although he never received an Academy Award, he had an impressive streak from 1955 until 1958 when he starred in mostly western movies. Glenn Ford's notable films include 'Gilda,' 'A Stolen Life,' 'Blackboard Jungle,' 'The Adventures Of Martin Eden' and 'Pocketful Of Miracles.'

Glenn Ford lived an accomplished life. He passed away while he was staying in his Beverly Hills home at the age of 90, leaving behind his son, Peter Ford.

What was Glenn Ford’s net worth?

He had an estimated net worth of $12 million before his death in Beverly Hills.

How much did Glenn Ford earn per year?

Although there was no certain amount of money earned by Glenn Ford annually, he earned a considerable sum enough to purchase him a mansion of $400,000 in Beverly Hills.

How tall was Glenn Ford?

He was 5 ft 10 in (180 cm) tall.

How old was Glenn Ford?

He was born on May 1, 1916, and was 90 years old when he died. He passed away while he was staying in his Beverly Hills home on August 30, 2006.

Glenn Ford took birth on May 1, 1916, in the city of Quebec, Canada. He was known to be the only child of his parents, Newton Ford and Hannah Wood who were of Welsh descent. He grew up in Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne, which is located in Quebec before his family moved to Venice and then later on to Santa Monica.

His father, Newton Ford worked as an engineer at the Canadian Pacific Railway and also as an operator at the Venice Electric Tram Company. After Glenn had started school at Santa Monica High School, he participated actively in drama presentations. Glenn Ford's father, Newton Ford served as a great mentor in Glenn's life and encouraged him to take on acting as his career choice, and to him, Glenn owed his motivation.

Glenn Ford marched towards his military career on December 13, 1942, when he volunteered to join the US Marines while shooting the war drama, 'Desperadoes.' He received his first assignment to active duty at the Marine Corps Base of San Diego in March 1943. For his outstanding prowess during training, he won the Marksman Badge and Honor Man awards of his platoon and was also promoted to the rank of sergeant. He was later reassigned to the Marine Corps Schools Detachment in Quantico, where he served for three months before returning to the Base in San Diego.

Barely two months before his wife, Eleanor gave birth to their son, Peter Ford, Glenn Ford was hospitalized. He was unfortunately diagnosed with a duodenal ulcer. After five months of being hospitalized, he was medically discharged from duty on December 7, 1944, cutting short his hopes of training at the Officers Training School. He was presented with the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, as well as the the World War II Victory Medal for his service. Later, after the war concluded, he enlisted to join the Vietnam War, served for two years, and attained the position of captain.

Who were Glenn Ford's parents?

Glenn Ford's family was quite prominent. He was the great nephew of Sir John Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister. He was also a descendant of President Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States. His father, Newton Ford died in 1940, at the age of 50 and his mother, Hannah Wood died in 1980 at the age of 87.

Who was Glenn Ford’s partner?

Glenn Ford got married to his first wife, Eleanor Powell, the famous dancing star, on October 23, 1943. She is the mother of his son and only child, Peter Ford. The marriage lasted for 16 years spanning from 1943-1959. While he was still married to Eleanor, Glenn Ford met Rita Hayworth on stage while shooting 'Gilda' and during this time, they fell in love and began a relationship. This relationship eventually led to the end of Rita's marriage with James Jill. She kept dating Glenn for a very long time but they never got married because one of them was always married to someone else. In 1966, Glenn Ford married Kathyrn Hays, an American actress, but the marriage abruptly ended in 1969. In 1977, he got married to Cynthia Hayward, a model, but divorced in 1984. He got married to Jeanne Baus, who was his nurse in 1993 but they got divorced in 1994. Glenn Ford never remarried again but he and Rita Hayworth were always together.

Best Known For…

Glenn Ford's official debut was in 1939 when he received a role from Columbia Pictures in the movie 'Heaven With A Barbed Wire Fence.' After his debut, he starred in various movies like 'Go West,' 'Young Lady' and 'The Adventures Of Martin Eden' until 1942 when he joined the US Marines. His most memorable movie was 'Gilda' in 1946 and his best late-period western was 'Day Of The Evil Gun' in 1968. He played other outstanding roles as Mike Lambert in 'Framed' (1947), Richard Dadier in 'Blackboard Jungle' (1955), Joe Baron in 'The Money Trap' (1965), and as President Richardson in 'Virus: The End' (1980). He was also cast in a lot of comedies including 'Pocketful Of Miracles,' a comedy that won him three Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor. In 1978, he also received a role to play as Clark Kent's adoptive father in 'Superman.' In his accomplished career of more than 50 years, he acted in a total of 102 movies.

What awards did Glenn Ford win?

Glenn Ford was nominated for the BAFTA Film's Best Foreign Actor award in 1959. In 1960, he won the Special Achievement award by CINDY Awards; he was a two-time winner of the Golden Apple Awards for Most Cooperative Actor in 1948 and 1957; he won the Golden Boot award in 1987; and for his comedy, 'Pocketful Of Miracles,' he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in 1962. Between 1958 through 1963, he was nominated for several Golden Laurel awards but only won one of the awards for Top Male Comedy Performance in 1958.

In 1987, he won the Donostia Lifetime Achievement award during the San Sebastian International Film Award Festival. In 1960, for his contribution to the motion picture industry, he was inducted into the Hollywood Walk Of Fame; and in 1978, for his outstanding acting in the cowboy western film, 'Day Of The Evil Gun,' he was recognized by executives of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma and inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers.

Glenn Ford’s Hobbies And Interests

He loved growing vegetables and roses. He was also known to do menial tasks like plumbing, wiring, and more, despite being a great actor.

• Glenn Ford was one of Hollywood's most popular actors.
• He got married four times. His best friend, Rita Hayworth was married five times.
• Rita Hayworth passed away in 1987 at age 68 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
• During his official debut, the film's director is known to have publicly humiliated him.
• He received a personal invitation from President Franklin Roosevelt to his birthday party, whose wife's name was Eleanor.
• He almost died in the Vietnam War.
• By the end of his life, he was so frail he missed his Hollywood-sponsored 90th birthday.
• He was alone in his later years but told his son, Peter, a full account of his life before he died.
   

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