Richard Thorpe

Actor who turned to directing in 1923, progressing from low-budget material to more prestigious productions like the MGM "Tarzan" cycle. Proficient to the point of boredom ("His reputation for needing only one take is why we don't remember his films," quipped James Mason), Thorpe spent 33 years of his 45-year career with MGM and was immensely prolific and capable in all genres. Highlights include "Night Must Fall" (1938), "The Great Caruso" (1951), three Robert Taylor swashbucklers ("Ivanhoe" 1952, "Knights of the Round Table" 1954 and "Quentin Durward" 1955) and "Jailhouse Rock" (1957).

• Also Credited As:
  Rollo Smolt Thorpe
• Born:
  February 24, 1896 in Hutchinson, Kansas, USA
• Died:
  May 1, 1991.
• Job Titles:
  Director, Actor

Significant Others

• Wife: Belva McKay.

Milestones

• 1921 Arrived in Hollywood as an actor
• 1923 Directed first two-reelers
• 1924 Directed first feature, Gold and Grit
• 1935 Signed as a director by MGM
• 1939 Was initial director on The Wizard of Oz
• 1967 Last film before retiring, The Last Challenge
• Acted in vaudeville, stock and musical comedy
• Appeared as actor in Torchy Comedies , Three O clock in the Morning , Burn em up Barnes , Flame of Desire