Monday, August 31, 2009

Remembering Richard Basehart

Born John Richard Basehart on August 31, 1914 in Zanesville, Ohio, he will always be known for his role as Admiral Harriman Nelson on the TV series "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea". This followed a film career as a leading man in such films as "He Walked by Night" (1948), "Decision Before Dawn" (1951), "Moby Dick" (1956). He was married to Italian actress Valentina Cortesse. Basehart was known for his deep, distinctive voice and was often hired as a narrator for documentaries. Because of his marriage to Cortesse he was able to make contacts with the European film industry which led to several films among them two European westerns "Savage Guns" (1961) as Steve Fallon and "Chato's Land (1971 as Nye Buell. Basehart was the announcer at the opening game ceremonies of the 1984 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. He died of a stroke a month later on September 17, 1984 in L.A. We remember Richard Basehart today on what would have been his 95th birthday.

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