Victor McLaglen

Victor McLaglen (1883-1959) was a boxer and actor.

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McLaglen was born in England. His father, a bishop, moved the family to South Africa when McLaglen was a child. He left home at fourteen to join the army and fought in the Boer War. Four years later, he moved to Canada, where he earned a living as a wrestler and heavyweight boxer, with several notable wins in the ring. One of his most famous fights was against Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson, who defeated him in six rounds. Between bouts, he toured with a circus, which offered $25 to anyone who could go three rounds with him. He returned to England in 1913 and served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers during World War I. He also continued boxing, and was named Heavyweight Champ of the British Army in 1918. After the war, he began taking roles in British silent films.

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McLaglen's career took a turn in the 1920s, when he moved to Hollywood. He became a popular character actor, with a particular knack for playing drunks. The highlight of his career was an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Informer (1935), based on a novel by Liam O'Flaherty. He was nominated again, this time for Best Supporting Actor, for his role opposite John Wayne in The Quiet Man (1952). He was especially popular with director John Ford, who frequently included McLaglen in his films. Toward the end of his career, McLaglen made several guest appearances on television, particularly in Western series such as Have Gun, Will Travel and Rawhide.

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He died in 1959. He had by that time become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

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1883: 1883 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar)....

1959: 1959 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. It is also a song by The Sisters of Mercy on the album Floodland....

Boxer: REDIRECT Boxing...

Victor McLaglen related Images and Photos (experimental)

Victor McLaglen - Whistle Stop	Wee Willie Winkie Victor Mclaglen Shirley Temple	Hot Pepper El Brendel Victor Mclaglen Lupe Velez Edmund Lowe 1933	Under Two Flags Victor Mclaglen Ronald Colman Claudette Colbert 1936
Call Out the Marines Victor Mclaglen Binnie Barnes Edmund Lowe on Window Card 1942	Dishonored Marlene Dietrich Victor Mclaglen 1931	The Lost Patrol Lower Right: Victor Mclaglen 1934	This Is My Affair Robert Taylor Barbara Stanwyck Victor Mclaglen on Window Card 1937
Women of All Nations Edmund Lowe Greta Nissen Victor Mclaglen 1931	Victor Hugo	Victor Hugo	Victor Bicycles