Herbert Alonzo "Lon" McCallister Jr. (April 17, 1923 – June 11, 2005) was an American actor. According to one obituary, he was best known for "playing gentle, boyish young men from the country."[1] Another said he "had an ingenuous appeal that made him a favourite of family audiences, and was particularly at home in outdoor settings featuring dogs and horses. Ultimately his perennial boyishness and slight stature became a handicap for more mature roles."[2]
Early life
Born in Los Angeles, Lon McCallister was the son of a real estate broker. He attended Marken Professional School, which trained children for show-business careers and began appearing in movies at the age of 13. He had uncredited appearances in Let's Sing Again (1936) and Romeo and Juliet (1936), directed by George Cukor who, gave McAllister a large close up, and became a friend.[2]
At 20, he appeared in the World War II morale booster Stage Door Canteen, where he played a star struck serviceman with theater actress and producer Katharine Cornell.[3] The Los Angeles Times said he stole the film with "his bashful smile and winning ways".[5]
McCallister leapt to fame playing the lead as Sparke in the horse-racing tale Home in Indiana (1944), also starring Walter Brennan and Jeanne Crain. This led to a contract with 20th Century Fox.[6] He followed it with Winged Victory (1944) but then his career momentum was interrupted by war service.
McCallister and William Eythe were producers of the stage musical revue Lend an Ear, which began at Los Angeles' Las Palmas Theater and launched Carol Channing's career.[1]
Post-acting career
In 1953, at the age of 30, McCallister retired from acting. Later, he became a successful real estate manager, wealthy from his investments.[2]
In a 1992 interview, McCallister said, "Being a movie star was great, but I never considered doing it for a lifetime. I wanted to be myself, to go where I pleased without causing a traffic jam. I've succeeded in this, and I'm happy".[3]
^ abObituaries: LON MCCALLISTER
Anonymous. Variety; Los Angeles Vol. 399, Iss. 5, (Jun 20 – 26, 2005): 44.
^ abcdOBITUARY: LON MCCALLISTER; Actor of perennial boyishness: [First Edition]
Vallance, Tom. The Independent July 1, 2005: 47.
^ abcLON McCALLISTER, 82
The Globe and Mail July 1, 2005: S.7.
^Lon McCallister, 82, Hollywood Actor of the 40s: [Obituary (Obit)]
New York Times June 22, 2005: 17.
^DRAMA AND FILM: McCrea to Act Doctor Role in Field Story Laughton Will join Cast of 'Dragon Seed;' Lon McCallister Set for Film at 20th
Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times August 10, 1943: 11.
^"The SCREEN". The Mercury. Vol. CLVIII, no. 22, 780. Tasmania, Australia. December 4, 1943. p. 12. Retrieved December 30, 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Hollywood REPORTS". Lithgow Mercury (CITY ed.). New South Wales, Australia. January 13, 1947. p. 4. Retrieved December 30, 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
^Drama: Bruce Bennett Obtains Scientific Subject; Lon McCallister Gets Break
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times September 20, 1951: A9.
^Lon's Back as Silvers' Guest Star
Chicago Tribune November 10, 1963: w13.
^Obituary: Lon McCallister: Child and teen actor: 'the cutest boy the movies hauled up out of obscurity'
Bergan, Ronald. The Guardian July 9, 2005: 21.
