Woody Strode weighed 205 lbs (92 kg) when playing. Thank you for reading! There's no easier way to put it: Woody is weird. Required fields are marked *. Michael Munns integrity as a biographer has been questioned. It was Ford who cast Strode in the lead role in Sergeant Rutledge. Strodes riveting presence among a trio of hired gunslingers waiting at the train station in the spaghetti western, Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), is unforgettable. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Michael Munns books are unreliable. Its such a disheartening rumor thats unfortunately made its way across the internet. As already mentioned, Woody has a real hard time knowing when to keep from over sharing. Much in the same vein as Phil Dunphy ofModern Family failing to understand what "WTF" stands for, Woody apparently believes "TMI" means "Tell More Information." So thank you for this I really really appreciate it. Strode played college football for the UCLA Bruins, the most integrated collegiate team in the nation in 1939, which included future NFL running back Kenny Washington and future Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Jackie Robinson. He's also written for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WrestleZone, The Windsor Star, and other publications. Wrestling: Shocking Stories from the Squared Circle; Benoit: Wrestling with the Horror That Destroyed a Family and Crippled a Sport (with Steven Johnson, Heath McCoy and Irv Muchnick); He can be emailed at goliver845@gmail.com, you can follow him on Twitter @gregmep, and visit www.oliverbooks.ca. Great Movies Collections TV/Streaming Interviews Movie Reviews Chaz's Journal Contributors Cast and Crew Woody Strode Find on IMDB. Strode was a black cavalry officer on trial for rape and murder, and during the court-martial his story is recounted in flashback. Jim and Duke got to know each other during filming in Marquette County, Michigan, where the entire company stayed at the same hotel and shared meals. An athlete turned actor, Strode was a top-notch decathlete and a football star at UCLA. I was too young at the time to realize Ford was using me to get at Stewart. Thanks so much for your kind words, and for reading! Scipione detto anche lafricano (1971) Hal Kanter is our only primary source on the alleged conversation. I am so glad that I can watch his movies again! However Dewes book was published early in 1996 when Stewart was still alive. Yet it was this famous athleteturned-actor who, with the great running back Kenny Washington, overcame the segregation hurdle in professional football when they signed with the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League in 1946. In director John Fords Sergeant Rutledge (1960), a western where he depicted a soldier on trial for two murders and the rape of a white woman, when Strode bared his chest to a white woman (actress Constance Towers), even the movie audiences gasped. And late Hollywood legend James Stewart got to watch their dynamic up close. Its such a demoralizing rumor. According to Strode, John Ford then called the whole cast and crew over, and twisted the comment into something Jimmy Stewart never said. In 1946, Jimmy Stewart led a small group of stars who vocalized their support for brotherhood among all Americans. May Mr. Stewart Rest In Peace. But Kanter says that Jimmy mixed up the roles: he explained to Jim that Hal Williams had not been cast as a police officer, but as an FBI agent in a different episode. But i am so glad to find out it was not true. Er verffentlichte theologische und philosophische Schriften, Arbeiten zur Musik, insbesondere zu Johann Sebastian Bach, sowie autobiographische Schriften in zahlreichen und vielbeachteten Werken.. 20072023 Blackpast.org. He often offers his opinions and most candid thoughts at the least appropriate moments. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. Thank you for bringing the evidence together. debut in 1941 in Henry Hathaway' s Sundown. In the absence of evidence to support your various claims about Jimmy Stewart, they cannot be taken as fact. Woody Strode, the square-jawed, muscular former UCLA athlete who became a character actor with supporting roles in films for nearly a half century, has . Race is not a factor in the world market, he said in a 1982 interview with the Globe and Mail. Donald Bogle, Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies & Bucks (New York: Continuum, 1992); Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB) title search by key word; Woody Strode,; The Timeout Film Guide, edited by Tom Milne, Penguin Books, 3rd Edition, 1992. Every day, someone was at the bottom of the list in the barrel, as you say, Stewart said of Fords tendency to take his frustrations out on his underlings. I do believe he love life and all Gods creations. In 1941, he began working as a professional wrestler, and in 1946, he and Washington became the first two African-American football players to play in the NFL, when they signed with the Los Angeles Rams. In its pages African American studies intellectuals, community activists, and national and international political leaders come to grips with basic issues confronting black America and Africa. But that's what makes him such a great character. Terrible rumors about Jimmy Stewarts beliefs have sprung from an interview that possibly never occurred. And really, that says everything someone needs to know about Woody. But Kanter says that Jimmy mixed up the roles: he explained to Jim that Hal Williams had not been cast as a police officer, but as an FBI agent in a different episode. Six decades later, the film continues to attract attention because it was one of the first mainstream films in the U.S. to treat racism frankly and to give a starring role to an African-American actor. Aka:The Violent Breed Another reliable source for Woody Strodes feelings towards Jimmy Stewart is a 1994 interview with Lee Marvin biographer, Dwayne Epstein. According to Woody, he's even less in control of himself, and all of his faculties, when tickling is involved. Im so happy you came across my article. Aka: The Devils Backbone There are different takes over why, including that he thought it was a better medium. The couple would have a son and a daughter to compliment Kalaeloas two sons from a previous marriage. BlackPast.org is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and our EIN is 26-1625373. Woody eventually becomes a major player in the world ofPsych, but he's also clearly not part of the main friendship group for most of the series' run. In USA Network's Psych, Coroner Woody Strode is easily the weirdest character, but he also has some of the series' funniest quotes. Required fields are marked *. Scream (1985) Thank you for more information for understanding. An Interview with Woody Strode INTRODUCTION by Frank Manchei interview is with Woody Strode, called by JET magazine, "the Jackie Robinson of cinema." Strode made his film debut in 1941 in Henry Hathaway' s Sundown. I can go back to my original thought, that he wasnt racist. He is wearing cowboy. Aka: Scipio the African Thanks for reading Brian! Regarding your claim that Jimmy made racist remarks about people in Vietnam: in my extensive research, Ive never found any evidence to support this. I read an article a few weeks ago about him being racist and I couldnt believe it. The same year he broke into pro wrestling, he also got his start in Hollywood, making his debut in the 1941 filmSundown. No Time for Love (1943) Aka: The Last Warrior Watch the video below to hear what Jim and the other stars had to say about brotherhood: Freedom, brotherhood, and equality were issues Jimmy Stewart clearly felt strongly about, for he returned to headline American Brotherhood Week the following year. But after reading your entire article I know Mr. Stewart was a decent human being and my admiration for him has grown after reading your article. In a gold-yielding town under a gang's reign of terror, an unusual alliance is forming -- between the townspeople, gunmen, and circus performers.1969 Spaghet. > Career Records Cuibul salamandrelor (1976) It is like when people try to pretend John Wayne and Winston Churchill were not racist. So yes, Woody's idea of the "snoafer" might not be the best concept in the world. If Michael Munns interview with Woody Strode did take place, its craftily presented, with Munns own words inserted in key places to suggest that Jimmy Stewart was a racist. Im delighted to put the rumors about him to rest. Lets go behind the origin of the rumor that Jimmy Stewart was racist, and the evidence that refutes it. link] that first sparked rumors about the beloved stars beliefs. For his book, Dewey interviewed the producer of Jimmys 1971 television show, writer Hal Kanter. This unnamed actor used the n word to refer to Woody Strode. Santa Barbara Coroner Woodrow "Woody" Strode may have been a late addition to the world ofPsych, but there's no denying that he's arguably one of the series' weirdest and most memorable characters. Strode was born in Los Angeles on July 25, 1914, the son . She has a passion for character-driven stories with dynamic but flawed leads, and a special weakness for all things 1980s. In the Grey Cup game, Strode grabbed a misplayed lateral pass by Ottawa quarterback Peter Karpuk off the ground, and lumbered almost to the end zone. > Music I once played a part written for an Irish prize fighter. Regarding your claim that Jimmy expressed mildly anti-Semitic views: Ive never found any evidence to support this, either. But I gradually learned L.A. was heavily segregated. I'm glad you made it.. I find a lot of this evidence unconvincing. Ive done everything but play an Anglo-Saxon. A recently posed question casts a shadow on the otherwise pristine legacy of. Whether that labels him a racist or not is irrelevant. Jungle Gents (1954) He died the following year at age 80. Never had so much fun as I did in Canada. Im so glad you found my article, and Im beyond happy to hear that you can enjoy Jimmys films once more. Strode was a gladiator in Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) and was in Jungle Man-Eaters (1954), a Jungle . The Alleged Woody Strode Interview Michael Munn's dangerous habit of mixing truth with exaggeration and fallacy calls his alleged interview with Woody Strode into question. The Ravagers, The Professionals) Fall victim to a spider attack, entomologist Diane Ashley (Tiffany Bolling, Wild Party) arrives and tries to help Rack deal with the crisis. And, as my article highlights, Hal Williams was not fired from The Jimmy Stewart Show. If Jim had an issue with casting a black actor, why was Williams not fired? I can find no evidence to suggest that Jimmys support of Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election was based on Goldwaters civil rights voting record. Woody's whispered warning - "Don't pick up" - is easily one of the series' best line deliveries. Of course, their football rhythm had been broken up by World War II. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Jimmy Stewart voiced his support for this goal in a 16 second radio campaign that played the week of February 16-23, 1947. Seduto alla sua destra (1968) It would be interesting to hear Janes thoughts. Strode is perhaps best remembered as the stoic slave gladiator in Spartacus (1960) who tells Kirk Douglas: I dont want to be your friend. Thanks for reading Tracy! I would have lost that role if I hadnt been in shape, and if I hadnt had a lot of experience as a wrestler, Strode told the Pittsburgh Courier in 1961. Then he asked Stewart to come over. Strode continued acting for decades his final film was as Charlie Moonlight in the 1995 film,The Quick and the Deadthat also featured Leonardo Di Caprio, Sharon Stone, and Gene Hackman sadly, Strode passed away from lung cancer in late 1994 before the film was released and the film was dedicated to him upon release. Ford discovered Wayne, then Marion Morrison, when the latter was a University of Southern California student with a summer job on a studio lot. Aka: Chuck Moll The Ten Commandments (1956) Pompey actor Woody Strode remembered that Ford "kept needling Duke about his failure to make it as a football player", comparing him to Strode who was a former NFL player. At MGM there was a separate entrance and lunchroom for the black laborers and maids. Razza violenta (1984) And, as my article highlights, Hal Williams was not in fact fired from The Jimmy Stewart Show, and he does play a police officer in episode 6. We both gotta be professionals. He shared a story from the set of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Fords 1962 film about an attorney (Stewart) who, robbed and left for dead by a notorious outlaw, is saved by a rancher (Wayne) and has to start over from scratch. Im so glad you searched for the facts and came across my article. La spina dorsale del diavolo (1971) Katharine Hepburn & Woman of the Year, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Chickpeas and Tarragon Tahini. Jim replied that he thought the costume made Strode look a bit too much like Uncle Remus.. Woody Strode and Jimmy Stewart in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). In his role as the Coroner (and later Assistant Coroner) for the Santa Barbara Police Department, Woody often gets far too involved and far too close for comfort with all of the dead bodies that come his way. Aka: We Are No Angels In comparison, Ford had made combat documentaries for the Office of Strategic Services and had been wounded at the Battle of Midway, while Ranse star Stewart had been a bomber pilot who served with distinction. Strode praised Ford in a 1960 interview. Besides Ford, Strode also worked with storied directors Cecil B. Kingdom of the Spiders (1977) It was on the set of 1959s Pork Chop Hill, a Korean War film, that Strode met John Ford (though Ford was not the director; Lewis Milestone and star Gregory Peck shared the credit). Also, he appeared in several episodes of the 1952-1954 television series Ramar of the Jungle, where he portrayed an African warrior. "I know Gus well." "Shawn." "Him too. John Wayne was a supporter of Israel, but is known to have made several anti-Semitic remarks. Strode appeared in several subsequent Ford films, though never in a starring capacity. The Last Rebel (1971) So this week, lets resolve to live in harmony with our fellow man.. After Gus and Shawn are implicated in yet another murder scene, they scramble to cover up the evidence which Woody is already all too keenly aware of. He became part of Hollywood lore after meeting director John Ford and becoming a part of the Ford "family," appearing in four Ford motion pictures. I encourage you to read my full article for further insights into the character of Jimmy Stewart. As an actor, Strode is forever tied to John Ford (see our Pepper Martin biography for some stories that involve both Strode and Ford). Michael Munns dangerous habit of mixing truth with exaggeration and fallacy calls his alleged interview with. Jimmys words and actions prove that he was not racist. After handing over ME duties to Alex Richards, he remains a frequent contributor to the site. Angkor: Cambodia Express (1982) As they were preparing to shoot, Ford came up to Stewart and asked, What do you think of Woodys costume?. Actor: Spartacus. A footnote in the life of a great man. Unlike Robinson, however, neither played much. The episode "Last Night Gus" isn't just a real highlight for Psych but for Woody's character and his bizarre humor, too. Thanks again for reading, and thanks so much for commenting! African Treasure (1952) Afterwards, Lee Marvin remembered seeing both John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart lunge for the offending actor. In fact, Woody was already calling someone on his cell phone: Shawn. A recently posed question casts a shadow on the otherwise pristine legacy of Jimmy Stewart. Actors Woody Strode and Lee Marvin, who also collaborated four years earlier in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance," are seen chatting in Death Valley while filming director Richard Brooks . 1995 Taylor & Francis, Ltd. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. Also Stewart even stayed up late much to director Premingers chagrin during Anatomy Of A Murder to play with Duke Ellington. 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He majored in history and education. John Ford wasnt afraid to explore bigotry in his films, but Sergeant Rutledge is a standout and the first big-budget Western to feature a black man as the hero played by Woody Strode. His fellow Gold Dust Gang member Jackie Robinson would break the color barrier in Major League Baseball a year later in 1947. Western icon John Wayne had a legendary collaboration with director John Ford that lasted five decades and transformed both mens careers. Aka: Black Kingpin Strode praised Ford in a 1960 interview. link]. Jims daughter, Kelly Stewart Harcourt, also knew her father was not racist: There were not a lot of black people in Dads life, but he was not a racist.. Your email address will not be published. Horror Safari (1982) One of the most memorable episodes ofPsych is "Last Night Gus," which allows the series to payhomage toThe Hangover. And Duke came up to me one day and said, Hows it come that youve gone through this whole thing and youve never been at the bottom of the list? And he was dressed in blue overalls, a blue work shirt and boots. Cuba Crossing (1980) Thanks for setting me straight. Actually, I had been rassling in the off-season anyhow, Strode told the late, great Canadian newspaper columnist Jim Proudfoot. Jimmy Stewart has deserved an article like this for a long time. He made more than sixty movies including his last film, The Quick and The Dead [1995]. Hal Kanter is our only primary source on the alleged conversation. Woody Strode was a Black Indian (his grandmother was Black Cherokee and his grandfather was Black Muscogee) and an outstanding athlete. Aka: Black Jesus > Canadian Hall of Fame A hilarious subplot within the episode finds Woody and Carlton "Lassie" Lassiter waking up snuggled up together, and left to wonder exactly what transpired between the two of them the night before. Just ask fans of the Calgary Stampeders. from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. > Video (Episode 6). The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. But as a key supporting player, Woody is absolutely perfect, and his many oddities are all the more welcome because of that. Strode served in the Air Force from 1942 to 1946, including time in Guam and the Marianas where he unloaded bombs. Under coach Les Lear, the young team made it to the Grey Cup, November 27, 1948, set to face the Ottawa Roughriders. Among other dubious claims, Munn insists that at age 17, he and Ava Gardner became lovers, not long after George Raft ran Munn over with his Rolls Royce, at which point they became close. Founded in 1969 and hailed by The New York Times as a journal in which the writings of many of todays finest black thinkers may be viewed, THE BLACK SCHOLAR has firmly established itself as the leading journal of black cultural and political thought in the United States and remains under the editorship of Robert Chrisman, Editor-In-Chief, Robert Allen, Senior Editor, and Maize Woodford, Executive Editor. The Quest: The Longest Drive (TV) (1976) On Fire (TV) (1987) According to Strode, John Ford then called the whole cast and crew over, and twisted the comment into something Jimmy Stewart never said. RELATED:Psych: Ranking The Main Characters By Intelligence. Never thought of them as brothers though. > Gaming Im so glad that you decided to do your own research, and that you came across my article. African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Education - Historically Black Colleges (HBCU), Political Activists - Radicals and Marxists, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. He would find several extras roles over the decade, before turning to pro wrestling on a more full-time basis in 1949.