Richard Basehart

Richard Basehart was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Richard Basehart worked right up until his death. He had just finished narrating the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California, when he suffered a series of strokes. He died 17 September, 1984, at the age of 70.

In 1962, Basehart married his last wife, Diana Lotery. Their first daughter, Jenna, was born in 1964 and their second daughter, Gayla, was born in 1969.

His marriage to Valentina Cortese produced one child, son John Anthony Carmine Michael (aka Jack). They were divorced in 1960.

Basehart lived in Europe for most of the 1950s.

Richard met the Italian actress Valentina Cortese while making "The House On Telegraph Hill". They were married on March 24, 1951.

Basehart married Stephanie Klein January 14, 1940. Tragically, she died ten years later of a brain tumor. They had no children together.

Richard was 5'8" tall.

As a young man, he lost his job as a reporter for his dad's newspaper after punching a detective in the face.

Basehart feared horses but overcame it to ride them in films.

Broke his right foot in three places after jumping seventeen feet off of the ship during the filming of Moby Dick.

When he was 12, he ran away from home for two weeks.

Favorite color: white

Basehart played priests four times and German soldiers six times.

Richard owned a dog named Harriman, after his role as Admiral Harriman Nelson in Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea.

Suffered from claustrophopia.

Favorite food: steak tartare

First started acting at the age of 13.

Also had a sister named Elizabeth.

An accident on a titter totter crushed one hand, misshaping those fingers. These can be clearly seen in some of the shows he appeared in.

Had three brothers Robert, Hubert and Harry.

His father was a traveling minstrel.