Horror Extreme Movie Catalog

'Tod Andrews' (November 10, 1914-November 7, 1972) was an American actor on the stage, screen, and television. Born in New York, Andrews was raised in California. He studied acting and journalism at Washington State College. Andrews began his career at the Pasadena Playhouse, and moved to New York stage productions. After being discovered in New York by Jack L. Warner, head of Warner Brothers Studios, Andrews was offered a screen test, which led to a movie career. Although he appeared in few major feature films, he more often appeared in B movies and on television. Andrews acted with the Margo Jones Company in New York City from 1944 to 1948, when he was spotted by Joshua Logan. When Henry Fonda left the title role in the Broadway play Mr. Roberts, Logan gave Andrews the part. Andrews' television performances included a starring role in CBS's Gray Ghost during the 1957-1958 season. It was based on the true story of Confederate Colonel John Singleton Mosby. In 1961, Andrews attempted suicide, just days before the opening of a new play titled A Whiff of Melancholy. He said later that it resulted from stress over the role. After recovering, he returned to films in 1965, appearing as Captain Tuthill in Otto Preminger's World War II action blockbuster In Harm's Way. Also during the 1960s, he was a semi-regular on the television comedy The Andy Griffith Show. In 1968, Andrews appeared briefly in Ted Post's Hang 'Em High as a defense attorney. Two years later, he worked again with Post in Beneath the Planet of the Apes, as James Franciscus's dying commanding officer, Colonel Andrew Maddox. In 1972, Andrews played the President of the United States in the political thriller The President's Plane Is Missing. His final screen appearance was as a doctor in the chiller The Baby, released a year later. Tod Andrews died of a heart attack in Los Angeles, California in 1972 at the age of 57. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.