Chris Drake
Chris Drake | |
|---|---|
 Mitsuko Kimura and Christian Drake inForever My Love(Itsu itsu made mo), 1952 | |
| Born | James Christian Droste December 11, 1923 nearRichmond, Virginia,U.S. |
| Died | July 9, 2006(aged 82) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1944-1961 |
| Spouse | Margaret Shobe (m. 1958-2006; his death) |
| Children | 4 children |
Chris Drake(bornJames Christian Droste,[1]December 11, 1923 – July 9, 2006) was an American actor best known for his co-star role of the 1950stelevision seriesSheena, Queen of the Jungle,in which he co-starred withIrish McCalla.
Early life
[edit]Drake was born nearRichmond, Virginia.He traced his family's roots in Virginia back to 1638. When he was 10 years old, he moved with his family toCalifornia,after his father had developed an incurable skin condition. They settled inManhattan Beach.[citation needed]Drake graduated fromEl Segundo High School.[2]
He joined and served in theUnited States Marine Corpsfrom 1942-1944 duringWorld War IIand fought, as a member ofCarlson's Raiders,atGuadalcanal,where he suffered multiple wounds, after which he spent over 11 months in eight Naval Hospitals and was awarded the Purple Heart. Additionally, he also received two presidential unit citations for gallantry.[3]
Career
[edit]After he played a bit part in an RKO film, the studio signed Drake to a long-term contract.[4]He had the leading role in the filmForever My Love.[3]He also co-starred in the 1954Sci-FifilmThem!and appeared on such television series asLassie,Stories of the Century(asBurt Alvord),Dragnet,andThe Lone Ranger.
Following his acting career, he sold real estate in California, owning wholly or a portion of 11 real estate offices in and around Palos Verdes, until 1990. He retired two years later to his nativeVirginia,where he died in 2006, aged 82.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^"Wounded Marine Asks Court Approval Of Movie Contract".The Tampa Tribune.Florida, Tampa. Associated Press. December 15, 1943. p. 7.RetrievedMay 6,2020– viaNewspapers.
- ^"From Real Marine Raider to a Reel Raider in Movies".Chicago Tribune.Illinois, Chicago. December 5, 1943. p. 168.RetrievedMay 6,2020– viaNewspapers.
- ^ab"Marine Hero Earns Break".The Charlotte Observer.North Carolina, Charlotte. June 20, 1954. p. 33.RetrievedMay 6,2020– viaNewspapers.
- ^"Marine Hero Signs Up for Film Career".The Los Angeles Times.California, Los Angeles. November 20, 1943. p. 13.RetrievedMay 6,2020– viaNewspapers.
- Ultra FilmfaxApril 1988, Iss.66, pg. 79–82, by Charles P. Mitchell, "Christian Drake, Sheena Days with White Hunter Bob"
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
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- 1923 births
- 2006 deaths
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II
- United States Marines
- Male actors from Richmond, Virginia
- Military personnel from Richmond, Virginia
- RKO Pictures contract players
- 20th-century American male actors
- El Segundo High School alumni
- American television actor, 1920s birth stubs