Joel Dee McCrea American film actor Date of Birth: 06.09.1934 Country: USA

1. Biography of Jodie De McCree
2. Early Life and Military Service
3. Early Acting Career
4. Breakthrough and Success
5. Later Career and Personal Life

Biography of Jodie De McCree

Jodie De McCree was an American film actor, born on September 6, 1934. He was the eldest son of the star couple Francis Dee and Joel McCree, who achieved incredible popularity during the golden age of Hollywood. Jodie spent his childhood on a ranch founded by his father, who considered himself more of a cowboy than a movie star.

Early Life and Military Service

After graduating from school, Jodie enlisted in the army and served in a special unit. He later participated in the creation of television programs to recruit new soldiers for the US Army. Jodie did not show any interest in the acting profession until he turned twenty.

Early Acting Career

Jodie started his acting career in 1955, but for a long time, he had to settle for minor roles in films and on TV, despite being a tall (191 cm) and very attractive young man, resembling his father. In 1956 and 1957, he appeared in the films "The First Texan" and "Trooper Hook," both starring his father, Joel McCree.

Breakthrough and Success

Jodie's breakthrough came in 1959 when he landed one of the lead roles in the television series "Wichita Town," where he had the opportunity to work alongside his famous father. The series aired from September 1959 to April 1960 on NBC. Joel McCree portrayed Marshal Mike Dunbar, who restored order in a cowboy town, while Jodie played his assistant, Ben Matheson. After "Wichita Town," Jodie received more offers and continued to act in films, mostly in westerns.

Later Career and Personal Life

Jodie's passion for horses, inherited from his father, also influenced his acting career. Some notable films he appeared in include the World War I drama "Lafayette Escadrille," the western "The Broken Land," which featured the relatively unknown actor Jack Nicholson, and "Cry Blood, Apache," where Jodie played the son of his father's character and also served as a producer. Jodie had a talent for comedic roles, demonstrated in films like "Deadhead," one of the seven "beach" movies of the 1960s targeted at the youth audience.

Throughout his career, Jodie continued to act in both films and TV, occasionally venturing onto the theater stage. He married Dusty Iron Wing, a Native American woman, who did not want him to continue his show business career. After the release of "Cry Blood, Apache" in 1970, Jodie only appeared on screen twice, in 1977 and 1985. He then left the film industry and lived on his ranch in New Mexico.

Jodie De McCree passed away on April 4, 2009, at the age of 74, from a heart attack at his home.