Bradford Harris, a native of St. Anthony, a small town nestled in the eastern region of Idaho, embarked on a remarkable journey that would take him from the football fields of UCLA to the silver screens of Hollywood. As a fullback on the Bruins' football team in the early 1950s, Harris's athletic prowess and academic pursuits, which focused on economics, may have been seen as a springboard for a career in his family's banking business. However, Harris's true calling lay elsewhere, and he soon found himself drawn to the fringes of the Los Angeles movie industry, initially securing employment as a stunt man.
As his experience and reputation grew, Harris traveled to Europe in the late 1950s, where he served as the stunt coordinator for a German-Italian co-production. This stint marked the beginning of a fruitful career, as he soon transitioned into the role of second-unit director. His breakthrough came in 1961 with a starring role in the film Goliath Against the Giants, which showcased his versatility and talent.
Harris's rugged good looks and impressive physique made him a sought-after actor during the era of "sword and sandal" movies, a genre that captivated audiences worldwide. As this trend began to wane, Harris seamlessly adapted to the emerging "spaghetti westerns" and a succession of action movies with a focus on spy thrillers. In 1967, he tied the knot with the talented actress Olga Schoberová, cementing his status as a Hollywood A-lister.
