Bill Schenley
2005-10-14 05:55:17 UTC
Actor Paul Fix Of 'Rifleman' Series Dies
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FROM: The Associated Press (October 17th 1983) ~
Veteran character actor Paul Fix, who began his career in silent films
but became known for the role of marshal Micah Torrance in the
"Rifleman" television series, has died at the age of 81.
Fix died Friday of kidney failure at St. John's Hospital in Santa
Monica.
He had appeared in nearly 400 motion pictures and 200 television
productions in a career that spanned more than half a century.
"People around the business," he said in a 1981 interview, "knew I
would accept any kind of talking part and could deliver on the first
take. "I rarely made over $750 a week ... but it was steady. My idea
was to keep working ... and I did."
Paul Fix Morrison was born March 13, 1902, at Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., lied
about his age to enter the Army in World War I, and later told friends
he had based his choice of a postwar career on the flip of a coin.
Arriving in Los Angeles in the early 1920s, he began working almost at
once.
"I had a face that could be an Indian ... in one scene, and you'd
never recognize me playing one of the sheriff's posse or one of the
bad guys in the next scene," he said. "So they got double work out of
me _ for a single paycheck!"
But if movie work occupied his days, the stage kept him busy at night.
He was in 20 plays with a movie hopeful named Clark Gable.
"Clark couldn't get into movies then _ ears was too big," said Fix.
Fix appeared in such films as "The First Kiss" with Gary Cooper, a
film that began silent and ended with sound.
Although typed as a heavy for many years, many of his most memorable
roles were heroes: the dying businessman whose quiet strength sustains
others in "The High and the Mighty," Elizabeth Taylor's aristocratic
doctor-father in "Giant," the wise and valiant Chinese elder in "Blood
Alley," the tough sergeant in "Santiago" and the lawman in Chuck
Connors' "Rifleman" TV series.
He also wrote screenplays for many films, including "Tall in the
Saddle," "Back to Bataan" and "Wake of the Red Witch," all three of
which starred John Wayne. He also appeared with Wayne in "Hondo"
(1953) and "El Dorado" (1967).
Twice married, Fix was introduced to his second wife, Beverly, by
Wayne.
A widower at the time of his death, he leaves a daughter, Marilyn
Carey, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Other film credits included "Zoo in Budapest" in 1933, "News is Made
at Night" (1939), "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1963); "Shenandoah" (1965);
"Nevada Smith" (1966) and many others.
He also produced and directed several films and television segments.
---
Photo:
Loading Image...
(w/John Wayne and Robert Mitchum)
Photos: Loading Image...
Loading Image...
FROM: The Associated Press (October 17th 1983) ~
Veteran character actor Paul Fix, who began his career in silent films
but became known for the role of marshal Micah Torrance in the
"Rifleman" television series, has died at the age of 81.
Fix died Friday of kidney failure at St. John's Hospital in Santa
Monica.
He had appeared in nearly 400 motion pictures and 200 television
productions in a career that spanned more than half a century.
"People around the business," he said in a 1981 interview, "knew I
would accept any kind of talking part and could deliver on the first
take. "I rarely made over $750 a week ... but it was steady. My idea
was to keep working ... and I did."
Paul Fix Morrison was born March 13, 1902, at Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., lied
about his age to enter the Army in World War I, and later told friends
he had based his choice of a postwar career on the flip of a coin.
Arriving in Los Angeles in the early 1920s, he began working almost at
once.
"I had a face that could be an Indian ... in one scene, and you'd
never recognize me playing one of the sheriff's posse or one of the
bad guys in the next scene," he said. "So they got double work out of
me _ for a single paycheck!"
But if movie work occupied his days, the stage kept him busy at night.
He was in 20 plays with a movie hopeful named Clark Gable.
"Clark couldn't get into movies then _ ears was too big," said Fix.
Fix appeared in such films as "The First Kiss" with Gary Cooper, a
film that began silent and ended with sound.
Although typed as a heavy for many years, many of his most memorable
roles were heroes: the dying businessman whose quiet strength sustains
others in "The High and the Mighty," Elizabeth Taylor's aristocratic
doctor-father in "Giant," the wise and valiant Chinese elder in "Blood
Alley," the tough sergeant in "Santiago" and the lawman in Chuck
Connors' "Rifleman" TV series.
He also wrote screenplays for many films, including "Tall in the
Saddle," "Back to Bataan" and "Wake of the Red Witch," all three of
which starred John Wayne. He also appeared with Wayne in "Hondo"
(1953) and "El Dorado" (1967).
Twice married, Fix was introduced to his second wife, Beverly, by
Wayne.
A widower at the time of his death, he leaves a daughter, Marilyn
Carey, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Other film credits included "Zoo in Budapest" in 1933, "News is Made
at Night" (1939), "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1963); "Shenandoah" (1965);
"Nevada Smith" (1966) and many others.
He also produced and directed several films and television segments.
---
Photo:
Loading Image...
(w/John Wayne and Robert Mitchum)