Lawrence Tierney

Lawrence Tierney (March 15, 1919 – February 26, 2002) was an American actor.

Related Topics:
March 15 - 1919 - February 26 - 2002

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Tierney was born in Brooklyn and earned an athletic scholarship to Manhattan College, but he dropped out to travel around the country, bouncing from job to job. In 1943, RKO studios signed Tierney to a contract when a talent scout spotted him among members of the American-Irish Theater.

Related Topics:
Brooklyn - Manhattan College - 1943 - RKO

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Early in his career, he appeared in sporting roles in films, including The Ghost Ship and The Falcon Out West.

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His starring role in the popular Dillinger led him to play other tough-guy characters in such films such as San Quentin, The Devil Thumbs a Ride, and Born to Kill.

Related Topics:
Dillinger - San Quentin - The Devil Thumbs a Ride - Born to Kill

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He also played the villain in Cecil B. DeMille's 1952 best-picture Oscar-winner, The Greatest Show on Earth.

Related Topics:
Cecil B. DeMille - Best-picture Oscar-winner - The Greatest Show on Earth

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But Tierney's run-ins with the law in real life took a toll on his career. Throughout the 1960s and '70s, he was only able to get small parts in movies. He returned to Hollywood in late 1983 and tried to rekindle his acting career by guest-starring on television shows such as Star Trek, Remington Steele, Fame, Hunter, Hill Street Blues, Seinfeld, and The Simpsons.

Related Topics:
1960s - '70s - Television - Star Trek - Remington Steele - Fame - Hunter - Hill Street Blues - Seinfeld - The Simpsons

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Tierney died February 26, 2002 in Los Angeles of pneumonia.

Related Topics:
February 26 - 2002 - Los Angeles - Pneumonia

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