Alex Nicol was a versatile and prolific actor and director who appeared in more than 40 feature films and many television shows. He was best known for his roles in westerns such as The Man from Laramie (1955) and The Wild Wild West (1967). He also directed episodes of Tarzan (1966) and Daniel Boone (1966). But how did he die and what was his cause of death? Here is what we know about his life and death.
Early Life and Career
Alex Nicol was born on January 20, 1916, in Ossining, New York. His father was the arms keeper at Sing Sing prison. He studied at the Feagin School of Dramatic Art before joining Maurice Evans’ theatrical company, with whom he made his Broadway debut in Henry IV, Part 1 (1939)
He served in the army during World War II and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. After the war, he returned to Broadway and joined The Actors Studio, where he worked with Elia Kazan. He played Brick in Tennessee Williams’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and understudied Henry Fonda in Mister Roberts
He moved to Hollywood in the early 1950s and signed a contract with Universal Studios. He appeared in films such as Meet Danny Wilson (1951), Because of You (1952), Red Ball Express (1952), and The Redhead from Wyoming (1953). He also starred in the horror film The Screaming Skull (1958), which he also directed
He became a popular character actor in westerns, playing both heroes and villains. He worked with James Stewart in The Man from Laramie (1955) and Anthony Mann in The Tin Star (1957). He also appeared in The Savage (1952), The Violent Men (1955), The Lonely Man (1957), and The Wild and the Innocent (1959)
Television Work and Later Years
Nicol also had a successful career in television, appearing in shows such as Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, Perry Mason, The Fugitive, and The Virginian. He also directed many episodes of westerns and adventure shows, such as The Wild Wild West, Tarzan, Daniel Boone, and The High Chaparral
He moved to Europe in the 1960s and continued to act and direct in films and TV shows. He worked with Sergio Leone in A Fistful of Dollars (1964) and with Clint Eastwood in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). He also appeared in The Night of the Generals (1967), The Devil’s Brigade (1968), and The House of Exorcism (1975)
He retired in the late 1980s and moved to Montecito, California, where he lived with his wife Jean Fleming, whom he married in 1948. They had three children together
Cause of Death
Alex Nicol died of natural causes on July 29, 2001, at the age of 85. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea. He was survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren
He was remembered as a talented and versatile actor and director who worked in various genres and media. He was also a generous and kind person who supported many charitable causes. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002
Alex Nicol was a legend of the silver screen and the small screen. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a lasting impression on his fans and colleagues. He was one of the actors who made the western genre popular and exciting. He was also a pioneer of the horror and spaghetti western genres. He was a true star who shone brightly in the entertainment industry.
