James Philbrook was an American actor who appeared in several major films and television shows in the 1950s and 1960s. He was best known for his roles in I Want to Live! (1958), The Thin Red Line (1964), and The New Loretta Young Show (1962-1963). But how did he die and what was his cause of death?
Early Life and Career
James Philbrook was born on October 22, 1924, in Davenport, Iowa, the son of a clergyman. He attended St. Ambrose University and the University of Iowa, before graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with an electrical engineering degree in 1946. He served in the Navy for four years during the Korean War, where he was stationed in various locations around the world.
Philbrook had a diverse range of occupations before becoming an actor, such as a miner, a rodeo performer, a gym instructor, a writer, and a photographer. He started his acting career in 1957, appearing in Alfred Hitchcock Presents and several movies, including From Hell to Texas, In Love and War, and Warlock. He gained more recognition for his role as Bruce King in the Oscar-nominated film I Want to Live!, based on the true story of Barbara Graham, a convicted murderer who was executed in the gas chamber.
Television Fame and Later Roles
Philbrook moved to television in the late 1950s and early 1960s, starring in three short-lived series: The Islanders (1960-1961), The Investigators (1961), and The New Loretta Young Show (1962-1963). He also guest-starred in many popular shows, such as Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, Bonanza, and Gunsmoke. He played Colonel Tall in the 1964 war film The Thin Red Line, based on the novel by James Jones.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Philbrook relocated to Europe, where he appeared in several spaghetti westerns and other low-budget films, such as Finger on the Trigger, Sound of Horror, The Drums of Tabu, and Ballad of a Bounty Hunter. His last film role was in the 1975 Spanish thriller Si quieres vivir… dispara (If You Want to Live… Shoot).
James Philbrook Cause of Death
James Philbrook died on October 24, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 60. The exact cause of his death is not publicly known, but some sources suggest that he suffered from a heart attack or a stroke. He was survived by his wife, Frances Cassling, and their four children.
James Philbrook was a versatile and talented actor who had a successful career in both film and television. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a loyal fan base. He will always be remembered as one of the stars of the golden age of Hollywood.
