RICHARD CRENNA
Name: Richard Donald Crenna
Born: 30 November 1926 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died: 17 January 2003 Los Angeles
Richard Donald Crenna (November 30, 1926 - January 17, 2003) was an American
film, television and radio actor. He starred in such motion pictures as The Sand
Pebbles, Wait Until Dark, Body Heat, First Blood (and its following Rambo
sequels), Hot Shots! Part Deux, and The Flamingo Kid. Perhaps though he is best
remembered for his role as Walter Denton in the CBS radio and television series
"Our Miss Brooks"; or as Luke McCoy in the ABC and CBS sitcom The Real McCoys (1957-1963).
Crenna was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Edith J. (nee Pollette),
who managed a hotel, and Domenick Anthony Crenna, a pharmacist. He had Italian
ancestry. Crenna attended Belmont High School and the University of Southern
California in Los Angeles.
Crenna got his acting start on radio, appearing in My Favorite Husband, Boy
Scout Jamboree, A Date With Judy, The Great Gildersleeve, and Our Miss Brooks.
He remained with the cast of the latter show when it transitioned to television.
When Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden, underwent a change in format -- his
character Walter Denton was omitted -- Crenna joined the The Real McCoys.
Kathleen Nolan was cast as his young wife, Kate McCoy; they lived on a
California farm with Grandpa Amos McCoy, Brennan's best-known role. Crenna guest
starred on I Love Lucy and played the lead as a state legislator in the 1964-1965
series Slattery's People, both on CBS.
Crenna is perhaps best known for his role as John Rambo's ex-Commanding Officer
"Colonel Trautman" in the first three Rambo films. He also spoofed the role in
Hot Shots! Part Deux, as a homage to his Rambo character. He also has a star on
the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6714 Hollywood Blvd.
Crenna contracted pancreatic cancer but died of heart failure at the age of
seventy-six. At the time of his death, he had a recurring role in the CBS series
Judging Amy. On the show, his passing was acknowledged by the death of the
character that he portrayed.
Crenna's son, Richard Anthony Crenna, is also an actor.
Name: Richard Donald Crenna
Born: 30 November 1926 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died: 17 January 2003 Los Angeles
Richard Donald Crenna (November 30, 1926 - January 17, 2003) was an American
film, television and radio actor. He starred in such motion pictures as The Sand
Pebbles, Wait Until Dark, Body Heat, First Blood (and its following Rambo
sequels), Hot Shots! Part Deux, and The Flamingo Kid. Perhaps though he is best
remembered for his role as Walter Denton in the CBS radio and television series
"Our Miss Brooks"; or as Luke McCoy in the ABC and CBS sitcom The Real McCoys (1957-1963).
Crenna was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Edith J. (nee Pollette),
who managed a hotel, and Domenick Anthony Crenna, a pharmacist. He had Italian
ancestry. Crenna attended Belmont High School and the University of Southern
California in Los Angeles.
Crenna got his acting start on radio, appearing in My Favorite Husband, Boy
Scout Jamboree, A Date With Judy, The Great Gildersleeve, and Our Miss Brooks.
He remained with the cast of the latter show when it transitioned to television.
When Our Miss Brooks starring Eve Arden, underwent a change in format -- his
character Walter Denton was omitted -- Crenna joined the The Real McCoys.
Kathleen Nolan was cast as his young wife, Kate McCoy; they lived on a
California farm with Grandpa Amos McCoy, Brennan's best-known role. Crenna guest
starred on I Love Lucy and played the lead as a state legislator in the 1964-1965
series Slattery's People, both on CBS.
Crenna is perhaps best known for his role as John Rambo's ex-Commanding Officer
"Colonel Trautman" in the first three Rambo films. He also spoofed the role in
Hot Shots! Part Deux, as a homage to his Rambo character. He also has a star on
the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6714 Hollywood Blvd.
Crenna contracted pancreatic cancer but died of heart failure at the age of
seventy-six. At the time of his death, he had a recurring role in the CBS series
Judging Amy. On the show, his passing was acknowledged by the death of the
character that he portrayed.
Crenna's son, Richard Anthony Crenna, is also an actor.