Ted Hartley American actor, producer and executive director of RKO Pictures. Date of Birth: 06.11.1935 Country: USA

1. Biography of Ted Hartley
2. Early Life and Career
3. Accident and Rehabilitation
4. Transition to Hollywood
5. RKO Pictures and Later Projects

Biography of Ted Hartley

Ted Hartley was an American actor, producer, and executive director of RKO Pictures. He was born on November 6, 1935, in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. He grew up on a farm in Iowa. When Ted was only 5 years old, his father passed away, which led to financial difficulties for the family.

Early Life and Career

At the age of 14, Ted participated in a competition sponsored by Warner Bros. He wrote a 50-word essay titled "Why I Love Flying" and won flying lessons as a prize. He enrolled in Shattuck Military School in Minnesota but joined the United States Naval Academy at the age of 16. Ted became a fighter pilot, flying F-11s. He spent two years working at the Pentagon, handling congressional communications, and served as an advisor to the president at the White House.

Accident and Rehabilitation

In May 1964, Ted's jet fighter crashed while landing on the deck of the USS Hornet in the Pacific Ocean. He managed to eject before the crash, avoiding a fatal explosion with the aircraft. However, he suffered a broken back, which ended his military career. After a period of rehabilitation, Ted attended Pepperdine University, where he earned a Master of Business Administration degree and started a career as a financier. He became the Vice President of the First Western Financial Corporation.

Transition to Hollywood

Ted's next career move took him to Hollywood. As an actor, he played the role of Reverend Jerry Bedford in the 1960s TV series "Peyton Place." He appeared in films alongside Carrie Grant, Robert Redford, and Clint Eastwood. In the late 1970s, he starred in his own series, "Chopper One," about a police helicopter unit, although the show was not successful. Ted's agent advised him to take a break from acting, and he moved to Aspen, Colorado, where he became the director of actor management at a local theater. He later returned to full-time work in investment banking.

RKO Pictures and Later Projects

In 1987, Ted became involved with Pavilion Communications Inc., a company that acquired small entertainment companies. Through this work, he learned about RKO Pictures, an American film company. Ted and his wife, actress Dina Merrill, acquired 51% of the company. They merged Pavilion Communications Inc. with RKO Pictures Corporation in 1991, creating RKO Pictures, Inc. Their first significant project was the 1998 remake of "Mighty Joe Young."

Ted Hartley appeared in various TV series and films throughout his career, including "Disneyland," "FBI," "Ironside," "Mannix," "Bold Ones: The New Doctors," "Search," "Streets of San Francisco," and "Gemini Man." He had roles in films such as "Don't Make Waves," "Murderers' Row," "Barefoot in the Park," "Ice Station Zebra," and "The Missiles of October."

In 2003, Ted became involved in the crime film "The Longest Yard" and produced several other film projects, including "Women & Men: Stories of Seduction," "Under a Different Name," "Ritual," "Caddyshack II," and "Milk & Money." In 2006, he played his last role in the drama film "Laura Smiles," which he also produced. Ted planned to produce the detective film "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" in 2009, directed by Peter Hyams.