Rory Calhoun, born Francis Timothy McCown, was a Los Angeles native, son of Elizabeth Cuthbert and Floyd McCown. With a versatile career spanning over 80 films and 1,000 television episodes, Calhoun's journey began with various occupations, including being a boxer, lumberjack, truck driver, and cowpuncher.
Before becoming a renowned actor, Calhoun's tall and handsome appearance caught the attention of 20th Century-Fox, thanks to a screen test arranged by Sue Carol, a Hollywood agent and wife of actor Alan Ladd. Calhoun's screen debut was in Something for the Boys (1944),alongside Carmen Miranda, billed as "Frank McCown".
David O. Selznick later changed his name to Rory Calhoun, and after playing small parts, he transitioned to starring roles in western films, including River of No Return (1954) with Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum. Some of Calhoun's notable films include How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) with Lauren Bacall, Monroe, and Betty Grable, and With a Song in My Heart (1952) with Susan Hayward.
Calhoun's television career flourished from 1959 to 1960 as the star of the CBS series The Texan (1958). Over two decades later, he returned to CBS for five years as Judge Judson Tyler on the daytime serial Capitol (1982). His final appearance, at the age of 70, was as Ernest Tucker in Pure Country (1992).
Throughout his illustrious career, Calhoun earned two stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, one for motion pictures and one for television.
