Richard Hartunian was destined for stardom in Hollywood, with many predicting he would follow in the footsteps of the legendary James Dean. His breakthrough role came in the 1957 film "Hot Rod Rumble", where he left an indelible mark on the industry.
Hartunian's family has a rich history in the entertainment industry, with his cousin Wayne Hartunian working at MGM studios for seven years, just like his father-in-law, Charles "Hovey" Hovland, who spent an impressive 40 years at the studio. This pioneering spirit was also evident in the late 1930s, when Hartunian's wives' family, the Grays, helped establish the studio.
Richard's wife, Virginia Aldridge, is also an accomplished actress, having played the role of "Lieutenant Karen Tracy" in the 1967 episode "Wolf in the Fold" of the iconic TV series "Star Trek: The Original Series", which aired in the show's second season in 1966.
Hartunian is also related to actress Michele Cummins, who is his third cousin and resides in Vancouver, B.C.
The Hartunian family has Armenian roots, with Richard's parents migrating to Fresno, California from the Armenian Genocide in the early 20th century, around 1913-1915.
