Scott Marlowe was an American actor who had a long and versatile career in film, television, and stage. He was best known for his roles as a troubled youth in the 1950s and 1960s, such as in The Cool and the Crazy, A Cold Wind in August, and The Subterraneans. He also appeared in popular TV shows like Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Have Gun – Will Travel, and Murder, She Wrote. He died of a heart attack in Los Angeles on January 6, 2001, at the age of 68. Here is a brief overview of his life and career, as well as the details of his death.
Early Life and Career
Scott Marlowe was born as Ronald Richard DeLeo on June 24, 1932, in Newark, New Jersey. He began his acting career as a child, performing in radio dramas and stage plays. He attended the Professional Children’s School in New York City, where he studied with renowned acting coach Sanford Meisner. He also trained at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler.
He made his film debut in the 1954 epic Attila, starring Anthony Quinn. Two years later, he starred as John Goodwin in an episode of General Electric Theater, opposite Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis. He then landed a series of roles as a young delinquent or rebel in films like The Scarlet Hour, The Restless Breed, The Cool and the Crazy, Riot in Juvenile Prison, The Subterraneans, and A Cold Wind in August. He earned critical acclaim for his performances, especially for his portrayal of a 17-year-old lover of a 38-year-old stripper (played by Lola Albright) in A Cold Wind in August.
Television and Stage Work
Scott Marlowe also had a prolific career on television, appearing in dozens of shows from the 1950s to the 1990s. He had guest roles in westerns like Wagon Train, Law of the Plainsman, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and Have Gun – Will Travel. He also starred in dramas like Executive Suite, Perfect Strangers, and Valley of the Dolls. He played recurring characters on soap operas like General Hospital and Days of Our Lives. He also appeared in comedy shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Odd Couple, and Alice. His last TV role was in an episode of Murder, She Wrote in 1998.
In addition to his screen work, Scott Marlowe also performed on stage throughout his career. He was a founding member of Theatre West, an actors’ cooperative in Los Angeles. He appeared in plays like Death of a Salesman, The Glass Menagerie, The Crucible, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and A Streetcar Named Desire. He also directed and produced several plays for Theatre West.
Death and Legacy
Scott Marlowe died of a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles on January 6, 2001. He was 68 years old. According to his obituary in the Los Angeles Times, he had been suffering from kidney problems and diabetes for several years. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Scott Marlowe left behind a legacy of diverse and memorable roles in film, television, and stage. He was praised for his naturalistic and nuanced acting style, as well as his ability to portray complex and conflicted characters. He was also admired for his dedication to his craft and his passion for theater. He once said: “I love acting more than anything else I’ve ever done.”
