Whatever happened to Victor Mature, a film star of the 1940s to '60s? - R.C., Ann Arbor, Mich.
Stats: Born Jan. 29, 1915, in Louisville, Ky. Attended Kentucky Military Academy. Married five times, one daughter.Early years: Mature decided not to join his father's successful business and, at 19, ran away to California where he joined the Pasadena Playhouse. He spent two years at the Playhouse, then made his movie debut in 1939 in "The Housekeeper's Daughter." He served in the Coast Guard in World War II, returned to movies in 1946 to make some of his best known, "My Darling Clementine," "Moss Rose," "Red Hot and Blue, "Samson and Delilah," "The Robe." When Hollywood roles dried up in the late 1950s, he spent several years movie-making in Europe.
Famous for: He was publicized as a "beautiful hunk of man" but never took his own acting ability or fame seriously.
In recent years: Mature retired from full-time acting in 1968 after 72 movies a wealthy man (real estate, electronics, etc.). He lives at Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., plays golf with a passion and does an occasional movie: "Every Little Crook and Nanny" and for TV, "Samson and Delilah" (as Samson's father).
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