Tuesday 29 March 2016

Richard Bradford RIP


Richard Bradford

27 March 2016

The Los Angeles Times has reported that Richard Bradford, the Texas born actor who is best known for the 1960s British series “Man in a Suitcase” has died. He was 78 years old.

Bradford got his training at the actors studio, and began his work on stage before being cast by Arthur Penn in the 1966 movie “The Chase.” It is this film that led to Lew Grade casting Bradford in the British series “Man in a Suitcase.”

Bradford did extensive work in television for the remainder of the sixties and for most of the seventies. He appeared on “Medical Center,” “Marcus Welby MD,” “High Chaparral,” “Kojak,” and other popular American TV programs. He also acted in many movies, including “Goin’ South,” “Missing,” “The Escape Artist,” “The Trip to Bountiful,” and “The Untouchables.” He had a recurring role on “Cagney and Lacey” during the 80s and remained active in film and television through the 90s and into the 2000s.

An actor who began as a handsome leading man and grew into character roles, Bradford remained a solid, steady, accomplished actor who was able to play a variety of parts and in different genres. Mr. Bradford is survived by his son Richard Bradford III, his longtime partner, actress Millie Perkins, his step-daughters Hedy Hutcheson and Lillie Thom, and four grandchildren.


File:Panic The Smiths.jpg
Bradford's image was famously used by The Smiths for the cover of their single, Panic, in which Morrissey exhorts the public to 'burn down the disco' and hang the DJ.' If only we'd listened.


Richard Bradford 1934 - 2016
Richard Bradford, actor who starred in British television series "Man in a Suitcase," dies at 82

27 March 2016

Richard Bradford was born in Conroe, Texas and attended Peacock Military Academy and then Texas A & M on a football scholarship. After injuring himself, he transferred to University of Texas to play baseball. When the pro-ball team he played for folded, he, on a whim, auditioned for "Picnic" and won the lead role.

From there, his life was determined. 

In 1962, he joined the Actor's Studio in New York and acted in his first movie, "The Chase" (1966) with Marlon Brando. 

From 1967 - 1968, Bradford starred in the British television series, "Man in a Suitcase," a show still aired on British television today. 

Upon moving to Los Angeles, he had a long and critically acclaimed career, playing in over 80 movies and television shows, amongst them "Looking to Get Out" (1982), "Trip to Bountiful" (1985), "Untouchables" (1987), "Little Nikita" (1988), "Milagro Beanfield War" (1988), "Internal Affairs" (1990), "Just the Ticket" (1999), and "Lost City" (2005). 

Many may remember his scene stealing moment as the Irish cop arguing in an alley with Sean Connory in "Untouchables." 

Richard cared about the craft to the very depth of his being. He was a source of comfort and love, and friends were always welcomed to his home with barbecued ribs, corn bread, and black-eyed peas. He is survived by his son Richard Bradford III, his longtime partner Millie Perkins, his step-daughters Hedy Hutcheson and Lillie Thom, and four grandchildren.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/latimes/obituary.aspx?n=richard-bradford&pid=179024157

See http://www.freewebs.com/maninasuitcase/

3 comments:

  1. http://www.freewebs.com/maninasuitcase/

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  2. The lady who runs the Man in a Suitcase website is from the North East - they were great friends!

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  3. Wish the media would make their minds up was he born in 1934 or 1937 ie was he 78 or 81 when he died . He was ignored by Hollywood in life so no surprise he didn't even get a mention at the phoney Oscars fantastic actor and top no nonsense man. RIP Richard Bradford.

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