Ross Martin

Biography for Ross Martin

Born in Grodek, Poland, Ross Martin grew up on New York City's Lower East Side. He spoke Yiddish, Polish, and Russian before even learning English and later added French, Spanish, and Italian to his amazing repertoire.

Despite academic training (and receiving honors in) business, instruction, and law, M. Martin chose a career of acting. His first film was the George Pal production Conquest of Space (1955). Soon after, he caught the eye of Blake Edwards who cast him in a number of widely varied roles, culminating with a fantastic part in The Great Race (1965).

Ross somehow managed a series in between, the short-lived "Mr. Lucky" (1959). With the release of The Great Race (1965), CBS cast him in what was to become his most famous part, Secret Service agent Artemus Gordon in "The Wild Wild West" (1965), opposite Robert Conrad. Perhaps the show's cancellation in 1969 was for the best - he suffered a near-fatal heart attack in 1968.

Afraid to take the risk of having a lead actor with a heart condition, the networks snubbed him with regards to a lead role, yet he appeared as a guest star in an amazing number of programs, not all dramatic masterpieces. Yet Ross loved to act, and took every role which came his way. Ross Martin collapsed while playing tennis, the heart condition finally taking its toll on July 3rd, 1981.

Born March 21, 1920 in Grodek (Poland), (his real name Martin Rosenblatt). He grew up in the eastern neighborhoods of New York. He spoke Yiddish., Polish, Russian before learning English and later adding French, Spanish and Italian to his narcotic repertoire. Despite university training and after having received a diploma in trade, teaching and law, Ross Martin had to choose the acting career.

His first film was a production by George Pal: "Conquest of Space". Later, he drew the eye of Bkake Edward who will play him in "La Grande Race around the world" (1965). He managed in one way or another to make a series after "Mr Lucky" which had been short -lived. Ross Martin was going to become the famous secret agent Artemus Gordon in "The mystery of the West" where he was opposed to Robert Conrad. Perhaps, the cancellation of the series in 1969 was best for him after the heart attack that almost was fatal to him in 1968. frightened to have the actor of the main role with a heart disease, the chain refused with respect that he continues his role.

He will then appear in a surprising number of films, not all dramatic masterpieces. However Ross liked to play, and took every role that came in his own way. Ross Martin collapsed victim of a heart attack shortly after finishing part of tennis on July 3, 1981.

Ross Martin was an American actor known for his role as Artemus Gordon in the television series The adventures of Wild Wild West. Born March 22, 1920 in Grodek, Poland (at the time part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire), Martin immigrated to the United States with his family in 1923. He grew up in New York and began his career D 'Radio actor before moving on to the movies and television.

In addition to his emblematic role in the adventures of Wild Wild West, Martin also played in films such as The Great Race, The Pink Panther and Who's Minding the Mint ?. He also made many appearances in popular television series at the time, such as The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Wild Wild West and The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Despite his successful career, Martin was known to be a difficult actor on the shooting sets. He often disagreed with directors and producers and tended to be demanding with regard to the details of his character and his performance. Despite this, he was considered a talented actor and was appreciated by his colleagues.

Ross Martin died on July 3, 1981, at the age of 61, following a heart attack. His career has earned him numerous awards and appointments, including three Emmy Awards. Although Martin died over 40 years ago, he is still considered one of the most talented and popular actors of his generation.

Photos

Filmography

Trivia

• In Columbo - "Suitable For Framing", many a viewer notes the marvelous interplay between Martin and Peter Falk. This is to be expected; Martin was Falk's acting instructor in years past. The two also worked together in The Great Race (1965).
• A singer on Broadway, he played Nathan Detroit in a Broadway touring company of "Guys and Dolls" in the 50s.
• An accomplished musician, he was a violin virtuoso at age 8 playing solo with the junior symphony orchestra.
• His natural ability for dialects led him to radio while in his 20s, perfomring on three daytime radio serials at once, including the part of a 62 year old Viennese gent. At one time the prolific actor was a regular in eight separate major series on all the different networks. He ended up with his own radio program, "The Ross Martin Show."
• One half of a vaudeville comedy duo from 1937-41 called "Ross & West." His partner was Bernie West.
• With a penchant for playing villains, he received a Golden Globe nomination for his terrifying role in Experiment in Terror (1962). As a promotion and publicity stunt for the film, Columbia chose to withheld the identity of Martin from the press until the film opened. It helped bring interest to the film, but in the long run, hurt the unknown Martin.

Quotes

On the hazards of a job requiring changes in appearance: "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."

On ad-libs: "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." [From the 1st season B&W Episode "The Night of the Burning Diamond."]

Family

• Spouse : Grindrod, Olavee (10 September 1967 - 3 July 1981) (his death) 3 children, Muriel Weiss (1941 - 1965) (her death)
• His wife Olavee Grinrod, died February 3, 2002.
• Had two daughters: Phyllis, Rebecca; one son, George.

Author of the card

• Creation date: 01/07/2003 by MANNIX