Ford Rainey

Noted American character actor of stage, films, and television, born in Idaho, son of a colorful character who was a champion of local dance contests. As a shy boy, Rainey found solace in school plays, which sparked a passion for the performing arts. He honed his craft in regional theatre companies, later moving to New York to study with the renowned Michael Chekhov. During this time, he juggled multiple "civilian" jobs to make ends meet, including stints as a logger, lineman, and licensed carpenter. Rainey's dedication to his craft was evident, even during World War II, when he served in the U.S. Coast Guard. After the war, he relocated to California, where he co-founded the Ojai Valley Players and made his film debut in 1949. Over the next five decades, he became a familiar face in films and television shows, while maintaining a lifelong commitment to the theatre. In his ninetieth year, Rainey played the role of Giles Corey in "The Crucible" at Theatricum Botanicum, the Topanga, California theatre founded by his dear friend, the late Will Geer.