New York-born Worcester Van Eps, a man of multifaceted talents, initially pursued a career as a meter reader before transitioning into the world of professional tennis at the tender age of 25 in 1937. However, he soon discovered that his fair-haired good looks and undeniable athleticism made him a natural fit for the world of acting, and he decided to capitalize on these assets by adopting the more palatable and less ethnic stage name Willard Parker.
As Willard Parker, he began his acting career with a series of uncredited film roles and a few appearances on the Broadway stage, including notable productions such as "Johnny Belinda" in 1940 and "Lady in the Dark" in 1943. His breakthrough came when he was signed by Columbia Pictures in the 1940s, and he went on to star in a string of "B" movies, often playing the lead or co-lead in action-adventure films.
Throughout his career, Willard Parker remained a reliable and versatile performer, taking on a wide range of roles that often flew under the radar. Some of his notable film credits include the swashbuckling adventure "The Fighting Guardsman" in 1945, the western actioners "Calamity Jane and Sam Bass" in 1949, "Apache Drums" in 1951, "The Great Jesse James Raid" in 1953, "Lone Texan" in 1958, and "Young Jesse James" in 1960, in which he played the role of Cole Younger.
In addition to his film work, Willard Parker also made a name for himself on television, partnering with Harry Lauter in the popular action series "Tales of the Texas Rangers" from 1955 to 1959. He eventually retired from the entertainment industry to pursue a career in real estate.
In his personal life, Willard Parker was married twice, first to former stage actress Marion Pierce, with whom he had a son, and then to the beautiful blonde actress Virginia Field, with whom he appeared in the British sci-fi film "The Earth Dies Screaming" in 1964. Although he did not have any children with Virginia Field, the couple remained together until his passing.
Tragedy struck in 1974 when Willard Parker suffered a stroke, effectively ending his performing career. He went on to live the remainder of his life in relative quiet, passing away on December 4, 1996, at the age of 84 due to heart failure.
