Wallace Ford was a prolific and versatile actor who appeared in over 200 films and several Broadway plays. He was known for his friendly-faced and wise-cracking characters, as well as his roles in some of John Ford’s classic films. But behind his successful career, there was a tragic story of a childhood marked by hardship, loss, and abuse. Wallace Ford died of a heart attack on June 11, 1966, at the age of 68. This article will explore his life, his achievements, and his cause of death.
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From Orphan to Actor: Wallace Ford’s Early Life
Wallace Ford was born Samuel Jones Grundy on February 12, 1898, in Bolton, England. He never knew his parents, as he was separated from them at an early age and sent to an orphanage. When he was three, he was shipped to Canada along with other orphans to be adopted by farming families. However, he did not find a loving home, but rather a series of abusive and exploitative foster parents. He ran away from 17 different homes, until he joined a vaudeville troupe called the Winnipeg Kiddies at the age of 11. He learned to perform and entertain, and found a new family among his fellow actors.
In 1914, he and another boy named Wallace Ford decided to seek their fortune in the United States. They hopped on a freight train, but tragedy struck when Ford was killed by the train. Samuel took his friend’s name as a tribute, and became Wallace Ford. He eventually joined the U.S. Cavalry and served in World War I. After the war, he pursued his acting career, and made his Broadway debut in 1919 in a play called Seventeen. He became a popular stage actor, starring in hits like Abie’s Irish Rose and Bad Girl.
A Prolific and Versatile Film Career
Wallace Ford made his film debut in 1931, opposite Joan Crawford and Clark Gable in Possessed. He also landed the lead role in the controversial film Freaks, directed by Tod Browning. The film featured real-life circus performers with deformities, and was banned in many countries for its shocking content. Ford played a sympathetic circus clown who befriended the freaks.
Ford went on to appear in a variety of genres, from comedy to drama to horror. He worked with some of the most acclaimed directors of his time, such as John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and Fritz Lang. He was a frequent collaborator of John Ford, appearing in five of his films, including The Lost Patrol, The Informer, They Were Expendable, and The Last Hurrah. He also had memorable roles in Shadow of a Doubt, Spellbound, Dead Reckoning, and Harvey.
Ford was not only a film actor, but also a television star. He co-starred with Henry Fonda in the western series The Deputy, which ran from 1959 to 1960. He also guest-starred in shows like The Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Perry Mason.
Wallace Ford Cause of Death: A Heart Attack After Losing His Wife
Wallace Ford was married to Martha Haworth, a former Ziegfeld Follies dancer, from 1922 until her death in 1966. They had one daughter, Patricia, who also became an actress. Ford was devoted to his wife and family, and was described by his friends and colleagues as a kind and generous man.
In February 1966, Martha died of cancer, leaving Ford heartbroken. He moved into the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, a retirement home and medical facility for actors, in Woodland Hills, California. Four months later, he suffered a heart attack and died on June 11, 1966. He was buried at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Wallace Ford was a talented and beloved actor who overcame a difficult childhood to achieve a remarkable career. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a reputation of being a good friend and a good human being. His cause of death was a heart attack, but his life was a triumph.
