 |
Kent LaneAmerican actor
Date of Birth: 17.08.1941
Country:  USA |
Content:
Kent Lane: A Hollywood Enigma
American actor Kent Lane made a brief appearance in feature films and television series. Despite his dashing looks and natural talent for transformation, he failed to capitalize on his potential and slipped into relative obscurity.
Childhood and Early Life
Kent Lane was born in the United States in August 1941. He spent his childhood in the carefree and creative atmosphere of sunny California. His father, Thomas Wade Lane, worked as an interior decorator and maintained the family home in Los Angeles. His mother, Marilyn Louis, who later became famous as Rhonda Fleming, had graduated from Beverly Hills High School and signed a contract with Hollywood studios shortly before his birth.
Due to his mother's burgeoning acting career, young Kent was often cared for by his father, nannies, or friends. When he was just a year old, his parents divorced. Consequently, Lane spent much of his early years on movie sets, witnessing the production of Alfred Hitchcock's "Spellbound," Robert Siodmak's "The Spiral Staircase," and Jacques Tourneur's "Out of the Past." He befriended celebrities such as Gregory Peck, Ingrid Bergman, Dorothy McGuire, George Brent, Kirk Douglas, and Jane Greer.
When Fleming became a star in the late 1940s for her roles in "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" and "The Great Lover," a sense of pride filled her son. A decade later, Rhonda, hailed as Hollywood's most glamorous actress, inspired her son to pursue a career in her footsteps.
Film Career
In the late 1960s, Lane, lacking formal training, debuted on screen with the support of his mother. The charming, fair-haired, tall young man landed a starring role in Hall Bartlett's drama "Changes." The film follows a character's journey along the California coastline as he reflects on his mistakes and searches for meaning. Lane shared the screen with Michel Carey, Marsha Strassman, Jack Albertson, and Kenneth Washington.
Pleased with the actor's performance, Bartlett offered Kent a role in his adaptation of Jorge Amado's novel "Captains of the Sands." During the production of "The Sandpit Generals," Lane gained valuable experience. However, as someone who had never known hardship, he struggled to embody Bullet, an orphaned boy grappling with the struggles of street children.
Upon its release in Russia in the early 1970s, despite its limited success in the United States, "The Sandpit Generals" made Lane and his co-star Tippy Hedren international stars. Boys emulated his character's hairstyle and demeanor, while girls aspired to replicate the smile and gestures of his on-screen counterpart.
Unfortunately, the buzz surrounding Bartlett's drama waned quickly as audiences moved on to new blockbusters for which the Californian actor was not considered. He ventured into television but found little success in that medium either.
Lane appeared in Michael Butler's detective series "Nakia" and Mark Rogers' crime drama "Joe Forrester," but his roles were limited to single episodes. His filmography expanded to include the low-budget action film "Poliziotto sbirro" by Virgil W. Vogel and Hal Needham's comedy "Hooper." After this, he disappeared from the limelight once more.
His mother, having retired from acting, did not use her connections to assist him. Thus, the unclaimed actor had no choice but to withdraw from the industry, becoming a distant observer of the celebrity world.
Personal Life
Unlike his professional life, Lane's personal life was a success. As a young man, he married Cynthia Coles and became a family man. Daughters Kimberly and Kelly were born in the first half of the 1960s. In his later years, Kent purchased a property in Palm Springs, California, to accommodate grandchildren Wagner, Page, Lane, and Cole.
Kent Lane Today
In 2021, Lane celebrated his 80th birthday and the 50th anniversary of "The Sandpit Generals." The American became the subject of several articles. In Russia, where Bartlett's drama was particularly beloved, a retrospective of the film was organized. The actor was also remembered on Alexander Gordon's television program "Closed Screening."
