Ross Martin is an American actor, perhaps best known as Artemus Gordon, inventor and master of disguise on The Wild Wild West.
Ross Martin was a lingual and musical talent as a child, mastering several languages and developing a talent with the violin.
Martin's first film role was in George Pal's Conquest of Space. He had a busy film and television career throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, with appearances on The Twilight Zone, Mr. Lucky, Experiment in Terror and Blake Edward's The Great Race, as Baron Von Stuppe.
It was his performance in The Great Race that brought Martin to the attention of CBS network executives who were eyeing him for what would be his most famous role - Secret Service Agent Artemus Gordon in The Wild Wild West. The character, a master of disguise with a theatrical flair, suited Martin perfectly. He would design several of the disguises and costumes that Artemus used over the course of the series. Martin's performance, along with his chemistry and friendship with co-star Robert Conrad, helped to make The Wild Wild West a hit. In 1968, a year before the series was cancelled, Martin suffered a near-fatal heart attack. Though he would return to the show, he was temporarily replaced with guest actors, including Charles Aidman.
Following the cancellation of West, Martin remained busy, though he did not star in another series. He could be seen on Wonder Woman, Mork & Mindy, and Columbo, where he had the chance to appear opposite his former acting student, Peter Falk. Martin almost got the chance for a new series when he played Charlie Chan in a 1973 TV movie. Though it garnered decent ratings, protests about the famous Asian detective being played by a Caucasian sidelined the series.
In 1979 and 1980, Martin got the chance to return to his most famous role in a pair of Wild Wild West reunion movies. The revival West films were so well received that plans for a new series were in the works. Unfortunately, Martin's heart condition caught up with him in 1981, when he collapsed and died while playing tennis. He was 61 years old.
Ross Martin was a lingual and musical talent as a child, mastering several languages and developing a talent with the violin.
Martin's first film role was in George Pal's Conquest of Space. He had a busy film and television career throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, with appearances on The Twilight Zone, Mr. Lucky, Experiment in Terror and Blake Edward's The Great Race, as Baron Von Stuppe.
It was his performance in The Great Race that brought Martin to the attention of CBS network executives who were eyeing him for what would be his most famous role - Secret Service Agent Artemus Gordon in The Wild Wild West. The character, a master of disguise with a theatrical flair, suited Martin perfectly. He would design several of the disguises and costumes that Artemus used over the course of the series. Martin's performance, along with his chemistry and friendship with co-star Robert Conrad, helped to make The Wild Wild West a hit. In 1968, a year before the series was cancelled, Martin suffered a near-fatal heart attack. Though he would return to the show, he was temporarily replaced with guest actors, including Charles Aidman.
Following the cancellation of West, Martin remained busy, though he did not star in another series. He could be seen on Wonder Woman, Mork & Mindy, and Columbo, where he had the chance to appear opposite his former acting student, Peter Falk. Martin almost got the chance for a new series when he played Charlie Chan in a 1973 TV movie. Though it garnered decent ratings, protests about the famous Asian detective being played by a Caucasian sidelined the series.
In 1979 and 1980, Martin got the chance to return to his most famous role in a pair of Wild Wild West reunion movies. The revival West films were so well received that plans for a new series were in the works. Unfortunately, Martin's heart condition caught up with him in 1981, when he collapsed and died while playing tennis. He was 61 years old.
Comedian Dana Carvey has named Ross Martin (particularly his performance as Artemus Gordon) as a major influence on his career.
(edit)
During the filming of The Wild Wild West episode "The Night of the Juggernaut," Ross Martin broke his leg. For the show, he was only filmed from the waist up to hide the injury.
(edit)
Ross Martin was an accomplished musician, showing virtuoso talent with the violin as early as age eight. He would continue to play and perform throughout his life.
(edit) As a child, Ross Martin spoke Yiddish, Polish, and Russian before he learned English. Martin later added French, Spanish, and Italian to his universe of languages. (edit) From 1937 to 1941, Ross Martin and Bernard West performed as a vaudeville comedy duo called "Ross & West." (edit) As a publicity stunt for the film Experiment in Terror, Columbia chose to withheld the identity of Ross Martin (who played the film's mysterious villain) from the press until the film opened. It helped generate interest in the film, but hurt the unknown Martin. (edit) After The Wild Wild West ended, Ross Martin did not star in another TV series, as network executives were reluctant to cast an actor with a heart condition in a lead role. He did, however, do regular guest work on several popular shows. (edit) At the time of his death, Ross Martin and Robert Conrad were preparing a new Wild Wild West TV series. However, plans for the new show were dropped after Martin passed away. (edit) Ross Martin was nominated for an Emmy in 1969 as Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series for his role on The Wild Wild West. (edit) At one point, Ross Martin was Peter Falk's acting instructor. The two got to work together professionally when Martin guest starred as a murderer on Columbo. (edit)
(edit) As a child, Ross Martin spoke Yiddish, Polish, and Russian before he learned English. Martin later added French, Spanish, and Italian to his universe of languages. (edit) From 1937 to 1941, Ross Martin and Bernard West performed as a vaudeville comedy duo called "Ross & West." (edit) As a publicity stunt for the film Experiment in Terror, Columbia chose to withheld the identity of Ross Martin (who played the film's mysterious villain) from the press until the film opened. It helped generate interest in the film, but hurt the unknown Martin. (edit) After The Wild Wild West ended, Ross Martin did not star in another TV series, as network executives were reluctant to cast an actor with a heart condition in a lead role. He did, however, do regular guest work on several popular shows. (edit) At the time of his death, Ross Martin and Robert Conrad were preparing a new Wild Wild West TV series. However, plans for the new show were dropped after Martin passed away. (edit) Ross Martin was nominated for an Emmy in 1969 as Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series for his role on The Wild Wild West. (edit) At one point, Ross Martin was Peter Falk's acting instructor. The two got to work together professionally when Martin guest starred as a murderer on Columbo. (edit)
Ross Martin: (describing his ad-libs on the set of "The Wild Wild West") I've been allowed to add a bit of dialogue to the characters now and then, just to help the illusion. When I portrayed a German count, there was a scene where a tough dived at me from the stairway. I side-stepped him and ad-libbed, "Have a nice trip." I was allowed to keep it in. Later, one man grabbed me from behind and another came at me from the front. I added, "That's no way to treat an old man." That was left in too.
(edit)
Ross Martin: (when asked if he did his own stunts on "The Wild Wild West") I do my own acting.
(edit)
Ross Martin: (describing the challenges with appearing in costume) I went home one afternoon to pick up a script without bothering to change, and a half an hour later the Beverly Hills Police were at my door because a neighbor had reported a suspicious stranger lurking around Ross Martin's house. I had to peel off my beard to prove who I was.
(edit)
Person Vital Stats
Person
Score: 9.9 Superb 14 votes
Score: 9.9 Superb 14 votes
This content requires Macromedia Flash Player 7 or higher. Get Flash
| Track This Person | |
| Review This Person | Contribute |
