James Marshall Thompson American film and television actor Date of Birth: 27.11.1925 Country: USA

Biography of Marshall Thompson

James Marshall Thompson, known professionally as Marshall Thompson, was born on November 27, 1925, in Peoria, Illinois. He began his acting career in 1943 when he signed a contract with Universal Pictures. Thompson quickly gained attention for his attractive looks and was cast in various films, including the drama "Reckless Age" alongside Gloria Jean, where he portrayed the character Roy Connors. For his role in this film, Thompson received a weekly salary of $350.

However, in 1946, Universal Pictures terminated contracts with many actors, including Thompson. That same year, he joined MGM, and his roles gradually improved in quality and complexity. Throughout the 1950s, Thompson worked without a contract, collaborating with different film studios. He appeared in several horror and science fiction films, notably playing the role of Colonel Edward Carruthers in the 1958 science fiction horror film "It! The Terror from Beyond Space."

Thompson's career continued to flourish, and he became known for his role as Mel Hunter in the television series "World of Giants." By the 1960s, Thompson's boyish appearance had transformed, leading to more authoritative roles on screen. He starred alongside Annie Fargé in the CBS sitcom "Angel" from 1960 to 1961, playing the character of an American architect married to a charming but frivolous French woman who often found herself in comical situations due to her limited knowledge of English. Despite the critical acclaim received by newcomer Annie Fargé, the show was canceled due to low ratings.

Thompson later became one of the stars of the CBS television series "Daktari," portraying a veterinarian in Africa. Throughout his career, he appeared in numerous television projects and a few films, including the 1977 melodrama "The Turning Point" and the 1980 thriller "The Formula" directed by John G. Avildsen. He also made guest appearances in popular TV series such as "Murder, She Wrote," "Centennial," "Charlie's Angels," "The Streets of San Francisco," and "Ironside."

In the twilight of his career, Thompson appeared in the TV drama "Dallas: The Early Years" and the action-drama film "McBain," directed by James Glickenhaus. Thompson was married to Barbara, who happened to be the sister of actor Richard Long, best known for his role as Jarrod Barkley in the ABC series "The Big Valley."

Sadly, Thompson passed away at the age of 66 from congestive heart failure in Royal Oak, Michigan.