Producers Nyima Films and Western Intl. Tina Ellawee (10 May1982 - 31 December1994)( his death), Luana Strode (14 October1940 - 17 September1980)( her death)( 2 children). Woody Strode's income: $1-5 000 000 "It's heart and guts. Boston Globe December 20, 1981: 1. Who is Woody Strode Dating? Decathlete who also played football professionally in the CFL, and enjoyed a successful acting career. I don't know if they ever will be. Best Two Out Of Three Falls: Bob McCune, George Wendell & Woody Strode defeat Darling Danny, Hardy Kruskamp & Millionaire Murphy. 5 Common Causes of Clogged Drains (and What to Do About Them), 5 Tips For Caring For Human Hair Extensions, The Benefits of Minimal and Barefoot Footwear, 5 Factors to Consider Before Buying Kratom. Woody Strode wiki ionformation include family relationships: spouse or partner (wife or husband); siblings; childen/kids; parents life. 31.12.1994 (at the age of 80) Cause of death: Lungenkrebs. He became part of Hollywood lore after meeting director John Ford and becoming a part of the Ford "family," appearing in four Ford motion pictures. Let's check, How Rich is Chris S, Everything You Need To Know About Nina Li Chi, The Mike & Molly Star Billy Gardell Is Battling Diabetes By Losing Weight. During his college years, Strode played football at UCLA. Died: Dec 31, 1994 ( age 80) Woody Strode Net Worth. Death Date - Dec 31, 1994 (age 80) Date of Birth: July 25, 1914: Place of Birth: California: Star Sign: Leo: I'd do that if I could. In movies and life, Strode's range was remarkable. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. An offensive end, Strode caught four passes for 37 yards and bowed out of the NFL after 10 games. Woody Strode is a famous Football Player. Professional Football Player, Actor. 27.12.1955. In 1939, he was part of the schools all-time great football team along with Jackie Robinson. He recently completed "The Quick and the Dead," a Western with Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman, his daughter said. My dream is to play a Mexican bandit in the international market."[20]. If you're a nice guy, you can walk into a room anywhere in the world. Hell, we thought we were white. Decathlete who also played football professionally in the CFL, and enjoyed a successful acting career. In the early 1940s, Strode married Hawaiian princess Luana Kalaeloa. "But the producers answered, 'Not necessary. The Cleveland Browns brought aboard Marion Motley and Bill Willis that same year. Pompey/Strode physically carries and thereby saves a drunken, suicidal John Wayne from his burning home. "I once played a part written for an Irish prize fighter. Having a net worth of over a million dollars, actor Woody Strode is a big name in Hollywood. And I did it myself. [25], His first wife was Princess Luukialuana Kalaeloa (a.k.a. Distributor Paris-Etoile. But they should be.". Inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. You have permission to edit this article. Decathlete who also played football professionally in the CFL, and enjoyed a successful acting career. Woody Strode was born in California on July 25, 1914. He earned the money being a professional Football Player. He is from California. [6] They became famous nationally as "the Gold Dust gang". The club signed Washington and Strode that spring. It was "one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to address racism frankly," the Hollywood Reporter's Seth Abramovitch wrote last year. He also worked with Richard Brooks in the Oscar-nominated film The Professionals. Decathlete who also played football professionally in the CFL, and enjoyed a successful acting career. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 July. He is killed and his death sparks a gladiator rebellion. If the money was right, I'd play Mickey Mouse.[3], Strode went to Europe to make Scipio the African (1971) and did some more Westerns: The Last Rebel (1971), and The Revengers (1972) (a "regular knockdown, dragout western said Strode[3]). He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, unloading bombs in the Pacific. Ford gave Strode the title role in Sergeant Rutledge (1960) as a member of the Ninth Cavalry, who is greatly admired by the other black soldiers in the unit and is falsely accused of the rape and murder of a white woman. "It had dignity. The others were Bill Willis and Marion Motley of the Cleveland Browns (All America Football Conference [AAFC]), and fellow NFL Los Angeles Ram, One of Native Escorts to Biplane (uncredited), Woodrow - Rochester's Motorcycle Chauffeur (uncredited), Eurocrime! La collina degli stivali (1969) $75,000 for 10 weeks. "I have the world market on my side even if I don't have the American market.". [4][5], Strode, Kenny Washington, and Jackie Robinson starred on the 1939 UCLA Bruins football team, in which they made up three of the four backfield players. Required fields are marked *. Also Known As Woodrow Strode, Woodrow Wilson Strode, Woody W. Strode, Woodrow W. Strode Birth Place Los Angeles, California, USA Born July 25, 1914 Died December 31, 1994 Cause of Death Lung Cancer Biography Read More After his athletic career, he took up film acting, and in 1960 he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in the movie "Spartacus.". Ultimately, he was awarded the honor of a lifetime achievement award in 2006. On the first night at the stroke of midnight, three of the group are killed in rapid succession: Allen is found hanged; his friends Ross and John both hacked by a cleaver. check also here right now Net Worth. Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox. Full body measurements, dress & shoe size will be updated soon. Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode (July 25, 1914 December 31, 1994) was an American athlete and actor. Born and raised in California. Woody Strode Source of Earnings Actor, Her Net Worth $1 Million To $12 Million in 2020, And her monthly Salary and earning is 50000 USD To 200000 USD. He said, "Well, they're not tough enough to do what I want Sergeant Rutledge to be. Let's see, how wealthy is Woody Strode in 2019-2021? Woody Strode was born on July 25, 1914 and died on December 31, 1994. Opponents from the Deep South resented having to share the field with Black men, the producer of a documentary film about the Forgotten Four, Ross Greenburg, told the UCLA newsroom in 2014. Date of Death: December 31, 1994. Required fields are marked *. Strode was one of the first four blacks who integrated professional football in 1946. He acted in many Wayne movies, including a prominent part in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance." Strode also played the powerful gladiator who does battle with Kirk Douglas in Spartacus (1960)." The situps and squats were done continuously and the . Complete Wiki Biography of Woody Strode, which contains net worth and salary earnings in 2023. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Strode was in City Beneath the Sea (1953) directed by Budd Boetticher, and The Royal African Rifles. Reveling in the win postgame, Strode rode a horse into the lobby of the team hotel. While making Pork Chop Hill he became a close friend of director John Ford. After the war, he worked at serving subpoenas and escorting prisoners for the L.A. County District Attorney's Office. He also played for the Army Air Corps. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 80 years old group. " [20], Strode was in Che! Strode appeared in at least 90 films, from Sunrise in 1941 to his last, The Quick and the Dead, released in 1995. Robinson debuted in the majors with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, breaking the color barrier in that sport several months after his Bruins teammates reached the NFL. Strode moved north and won the Grey Cup with the 1948 Calgary Stampeders, Canadian pro football's only undefeated team. The May 6, 1970, issue of Variety, in the Italian Films Shooting column, lists the movie Violence presently filming in Morocco, director Damiano Damiani, actors Susan Strasberg, Farley Granger, Woody Strode, Adolfo Celi, Terence Hill. Simply one of the most ridiculously perfect human specimens to ever walk the Earth. [8] They played eventual conference and national champion USC to a scoreless tie with the 1940 Rose Bowl on the line. He also served in the United States Army during World War II. Kalaeloa, 19462014), and a daughter, June. [29] He is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. He played professional football and was a wrestler before . "He is one of the most charismatic actors to work in American motion pictures. They were unable to find anyone to play the Ethiopian king so Strode was given that role too. Luana Strode ( 14 October 1940 - 17 September 1980) (her death) (2 children) Trade Mark (2) Impeccable musculature and towering height Often played quiet, dignified men of action Trivia (18) Was one of the first four blacks who integrated professional football in 1946. At the time of his death, he was 80 years old. . He was in The Sins of Rachel Cade (1961) and guest starred twice on Rawhide, playing an Australian aboriginal in one episode and a buffalo soldier in the other. Strode landed a major starring role as an expert archer and soldier of fortune in the 1966 Western The Professionals. Producers approached him in 1950 to portray a Maasai warrior in a "Bomba, the Jungle Boy" adventure flick. During World War II, Strode served in the US Army Air Corps. He was an Indian in Shalako (1968) and played a gunslinger in the opening sequence of Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). Inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame in 2012-2013. Strode brought the best out of his castmates while stealing scenes, sometimes before he spoke a line. His wife is Tina Ellawee (10 May1982 - 31 December1994)( his death), Luana Strode (14 October1940 - 17 September1980)( her death)( 2 children). A group of twelve people on a camping tour of the Rio Grande decide to spend the night in an old ghost town, and an unseen killer begins to dispatch them one by one. He appeared once on Johnny Weissmuller's 19551956 syndicated television series Jungle Jim and was in an episode of Private Secretary. (1978), Ravagers (1979), Jaguar Lives! Woody Strode Net worth and Salary. He became part of Hollywood lore after meeting director John Ford and becoming a part of the Ford "family," appearing in four Ford motion pictures. He was both successful and a popular draw; but gave up wrestling due to his popularity in motion pictures. The closing credits dedicate the film to Strode, who died shortly before its release. Decathlete who also played football professionally in the CFL, and enjoyed a successful acting career. Goeff also used the same mold for the bodies of Frontierland's Native Americans, too.". We used to sit in the best seats at the Coconut Grove (a nightclub in the Ambassador Hotel) listening to Donald Novis sing. Biography, Net Worth, Gossips, Salary, News & Much More. After football, he went on to become a film actor, where he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Spartacus in 1960. Who Is Woody Strode's Wife? "We were unconscious of color. Woody Strode is a member of Football Player Net worth: Under Review Some Woody Strode images About He could be seen in The Gambler from Natchez (1954), Jungle Gents (1954) a Bowery Boys movie set in Africa, and The Silver Chalice (1954). He attended UCLA, where he played multiple sports and starred for the track and field team. Your email address will not be published. He also played in many of Fords films. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Prior to 1946, Strode played semi-pro ball. Strode died in his sleep Saturday at his home, said his daughter, June Strode. The scripts for these were variable but Strode later said "Me, I didn't care. He guest starred on The Lieutenant, The Farmer's Daughter and Daniel Boone and had roles in the features Genghis Khan (1965) and 7 Women (1966), the latter the last film he made for Ford. He was a decathlete and football star who was one of the first Black American players in the National Football League in the postwar era. No evidence the film was completed or distributed. "Sergeant Rutledge" boosted Strode's profile but didn't catapult him to superstardom, the Times wrote in 1971, surmising "he and the film, with its sympathies strongly on the side of the Black man, were ahead of their time." [3], In 1941, Strode had dabbled for several months in professional wrestling. They were married until her death in 1980 from Parkinson's disease. At 80 years old, Woody Strode height Learn about Woody Strode Net Worth, Biography, Age, Birthday, Height, Early Life, Family, Dating, Partner, Wiki and Facts. John Ford put classic words in my mouth You never seen a Negro come off a mountain like John Wayne before. "They are not household names like Jackie Robinson. Woody Strodes height Unknown & weight Not Available right. If two unmarried celebrities are seen in public together, they are often described as dating which means they were seen in public together, and it is not clear whether they are merely friends, exploring a more intimate relationship, or are romantically involved. As per our current Database, Woody Strode died on Dec 31, 1994 (age 80). Complete Wiki Biography of Woody Strode, which contains net worth and salary earnings in 2023. Broken ribs and an ailing shoulder spurred Strode to retire in 1949. Strode and Washington, an All-American in 1939, linked up the following year with the Hollywood Bears of the minor Pacific Coast Professional Football League. He was interred with military honors at Riverside National Cemetery, east of his hometown. They had two children. In 1967 he attempted to produce his own film, The Story of the Tenth Cavalry but it was not made. During his college years, Strode was one of the most promising gridiron stars at UCLA. "I would have lost that role if I hadn't been in shape, and if I hadn't had a lot of experience as a wrestler," Strode told the Pittsburgh Courier after the film's release, according to Slam Wrestling. On the highly macho set of The Professionals (1966), Burt Lancaster, widely known to be a very physically strong man, frequently challenged Strode to contests of strength and was allegedly despondent to be repeatedly bested by Strode. "To me, it's truly the beginning of more awareness of who they were, what they did, and why they were so important," Glauber told The New York Times ahead of the Canton ceremony in August. Strode was very close to the director. An athlete turned actor, Strode was a top-notch decathlete and a football star at UCLA. During his career, Woody Strode became the first black player in the National Football League (NFL) in the postwar era. [30], Strode was a dedicated martial artist under the direction of Frank Landers in the art of Seishindo Kenpo. Woody Strode's estimated Net Worth, fast cars, relaxing vacations, pompous lifestyle, income, & other features are listed below. Having a net worth of over a million dollars, actor Woody Strode is a big name in Hollywood. [2] Following the end of his football career in 1949, he returned to wrestling part-time between acting jobs until 1962, wrestling the likes of Gorgeous George. He was Cree and Blackfoot on his fathers aspect and Cherokee on his mothers. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. . "Their actions on and off the field opened a door that allowed other people to follow.". Strode's Associated Press obituary praised his work in Westerns and period dramas, but didn't mention the trail he blazed on the gridiron. Born in Los Angeles in 1914, Woodrow Wilson Woolwine Strode died at age 80 on New Year's Eve 1994. of Los Angeles. He was reluctant until they offered him $500 a week. Your email address will not be published. Woody Strode was born on July 25, 1914 in California. I carried the whole black race across that river."[3]. Death; Woody Strode Net Worth. He attended UCLA, where he played multiple Sports and starred for the track and field team. . [3] He called it "the first dramatic thing that I had done."[7]. Woodrow Strode, actor: born Los Angeles 25 July 1914; died Glendora, California 31 December 1994. A handful of Black players suited up in the NFL in the league's earliest seasons, but franchise owners at the behest of George Preston Marshall, the segregationist founder of the Washington team, conspired to exclude them from 1934 to 1946. Never billed as a leading man in Hollywood, Strode moved to Rome in the late '60s to pick up prominent and lucrative roles in Spaghetti Westerns. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City last year enshrined him in the Hall of Great Western Performers. Woody Strode body measurments, height, weight and age details. He became part of Hollywood lore after meeting director John Ford and becoming a part of the Ford "family," appearing in four Ford motion pictures. Woody Strode age is around 105,as Woody Strode was born on the 25th of Jul, 1914 in Los Angeles. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in the 1960 movie Spartacus. Woody Strode was born on July 25, 1914 in California. He decided to stay in Europe. He played supporting roles as well as leading ones. In 1980, Strode was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame. [31], Sheriff Woody of the Toy Story series of animated films is named after Strode,[32] as was the recurring character of the Santa Barbara Coroner in the television series Psych.[33]. "These four men created a foundation on which generations built," Lonnie Bunch, the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, once said. He was born on July 25, 1914 and his birthplace is California. In 1963, he was cast opposite Jock Mahoney's Tarzan as both the dying leader of an unnamed Asian country and that leader's unsavory brother, Khan, in Tarzan's Three Challenges. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He played a gladiator in the epic "Spartacus. [26][27][28] In 1982 at the age of 68, he wed 35-year-old Tina Tompson,[28] and they remained married until his death of lung cancer on December 31, 1994, in Glendora, California, aged 80. memorial page for Woody Strode (25 Jul 1914-31 Dec 1994), Find a Grave Memorial ID 6599405, citing Riverside National Cemetery . "[13], In 1948 he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers of the AAFC, but was released before the season started,[14] whereupon he joined the Calgary Stampeders of the Western Interprovincial Football Union in Canada, where he was a member of Calgary's 1948 Grey Cup Championship team[15] before retiring due to injury in 1949. Wiki Bio of Woody Strode net worth is updated in . [16], In 1952, Strode wrestled almost every week from August 12, 1952, to December 10, 1952, in different cities in California. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago, she said. It was the first UCLAUSC rivalry football game with national implications.[9]. When World War II broke out, Strode was playing for the Hollywood Bears in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League. He was buried with full military honors. He also played a role in Mario Van Peebles Black Western Posse. Canton called this summer, feting Strode and the rest of the Forgotten Four at Johnson and Glauber's urging. "And this is not being facetious, but Mr. Ford defended me; and I don't know that this is going on. This past August in Canton, Ohio, family members accepted the Ralph Hay Pioneer Award on the players' behalf at the enshrinement gala that precedes the NFL season. . When out on the road with the team, Strode had his first experience with racism, something he wasn't aware of growing up in Los Angeles. He then signed with a talent agent and started playing for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Cecil B. DeMille cast him in The Ten Commandments (1956) as a slave at $500 a week for five weeks. Also, he appeared in several episodes of the 19521954 television series Ramar of the Jungle, where he portrayed an African warrior. In the twilight of his film career, Woody Strode reflected on the opportunities he was denied and others he seized. His contacts there helped him land small roles in motion pictures after he left UCLA. While it isnt the first time Woody Strode has been featured in a Western, his appearance in the movie was one of the first in this genre to feature an African-American actor. - Todd von Hoffman. Supplied by UCLA, Corbis Historical / Sunset Boulevard / Getty Images. His career in films began in the 1940s. [17] He later teamed up with both Bobo Brazil[18] and Bearcat Wright. Woody Strode, the football player turned actor who had supporting roles in John Wayne films and costume period epics such as "Spartacus" and "The Ten Commandments," has died at age 80. Woody Strode net worth is $850,000 Woody Strode Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family Woodrow Wilson Woolwine "Woody" Strode (July 25, 1914 - December 31, 1994) was a decathlete and football star who went on to become a popular and pioneering African-American film actor. After his athletic career, he took up film acting, and in 1960 he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in the movie Spartacus.. He also had a small role in the film Star Spangled Rhythm. [citation needed], Strode's acting career was re-activated when producer Walter Mirisch spotted him wrestling and cast him as an African warrior in The Lion Hunters (1951), one of the Bomba the Jungle Boy series. He had a bigger role in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) for Ford, playing Pompey, John Wayne's hired hand. Woody Strode prefers not to tell the details of marital status & divorce. Not only has he appeared in many films, he also has been involved in many other aspects of the entertainment industry. (1969) and supported Terence Hill and Bud Spencer in Boot Hill (1969) shot in Italy. . Let's check, How Rich is Ryan, Chris Snee estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. As per our current Database, Woody Strode died on Dec 31, 1994 (age 80). He was also a professional wrestler. Primary Income source Football Player (profession). Coliseum. In 1939 he played for one of UCLA's greatest football teams ever, alongside Future baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Strode became a close friend of director John Ford. He was a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)as Stony - Member of Frank's Gang, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)as Pompey, Your email address will not be published. The role set his Hollywood career in motion. Not known Woody Strode Salary Detail. Strode had an excellent support part in The Last Voyage (1960) playing a heroic stoker, though he was only billed fifth. He wrestled professionally before rapt audiences. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once dubbed "the Jackie Robinson of cinema" by Jet Magazine, Strode shared a backfield with Robinson and Washington in 1939. [24], In 2021, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Woody Strode estimated Net Worth, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. In 1939 he played for one of UCLAs greatest football teams ever, alongside future baseball legend Jackie Robinson. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Jim Spavital estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. Strode played college football for the UCLA Bruins, the most integrated collegiate team in the nation in 1939, which included future NFL running back Kenny Washington and future Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Jackie Robinson. Inducted into the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame in 2012-2013. During his lifetime, Woody Strode starred in a number of successful movies. Woody Strode's Net Worth: $1-5 Million Age, Height & Body Measurements Woody Strode has been died on Dec 31, 1994 ( age 80). According to Wikipedia, Forbes, IMDb & Various Online resources, famous Football Player Woody Strodes net worth is $1-5 Million before He died. Lets check, How Rich is Woody Strode in 2019-2020? His last film, "The Quick and the Dead" with Gene Hackman and Sharon Stone, released after his death. Check back often as we will continue to update this page with new relationship details. Her husband is Woody Strode (14 October 1940 - 17 September 1980) ( her death) ( 2 children) Family; Parents: Not Available: Husband: . He could beat Glenn Morris, the 1936 Olympic gold-medal decathlete, in all of his events except sprints. He was 80. In the 1950s, he was seen regularly playing black musclemen in small parts. Biography Biography Timeline 1939 He was 80 years old at the time of his death. In 1959 he portrayed the conflicted, some would say cowardly, Private Franklin in Pork Chop Hill, which brought him critical acclaim. Although some reviewers and historians state he might have been a far more well-known and ensemble minority professional if not really for his size and bodily strong appearance, even more such as Sidney Poitier, a near modern, Hollywood of days gone by and present still provides few positive jobs beyond the stereotypical for cultural males. "The big studios wanted an actor like Sidney [Poitier] or [Harry] Belafonte," recalled Strode. Strode played college football for the UCLA Bruins, the most integrated collegiate team in the nation in 1939, which included future NFL running back Kenny Washington and future Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, Reportedly, his favorite film from his career was, Strode posed for one of two paintings commissioned by. Woody Strode, Goal Dust: The Warm and Candid Memories of a Pioneer Black Athlete and Actor (New York: Madison Books, 1993); Donald Bogle, Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies and Bucks: An Interpretative History of Blacks in American Films (New York: Continuum Publishing, 2000); E. Franklin Frazier, Black Bourgeoisie (New York: Free Press, 1955); Tag Gallagher, John Ford: The Man and His Films . During his acting career, Strode starred in many films, including Gambler from Natchez (1954), Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954), and Jungle Gents (1954). In 1939 he played for one of UCLA's greatest football teams ever, alongside Future baseball legend Jackie Robinson. "I had a certain amount of crudeness that went back a hundred years, and that's what he liked. He became part of Hollywood lore after meeting director John Ford and becoming a part of the Ford "family," appearing in four Ford motion pictures. La collina degli stivali (1969) $75,000 for 10 weeks : An athlete turned actor, Strode was a top-notch decathlete and a football star at UCLA. GLENDORA, Calif. (AP) _ Woody Strode, football player turned actor who had supporting roles in John Wayne films and costume period epics such as ``Spartacus and ``The Ten Commandments, died at age 80. [3], "I got a cultural educationmajored in history and education," he said in a 1971 interview. is 6'4"(1.93m) . As an athlete, he helped integrate the NFL. He has ranked on the list of those famous people who were born on July 25, 1914. He was nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Spartacus in 1960. He was also in Key West (1973), Loaded Guns (1975), The Manhunter (1975), We Are No Angels (1975), Winterhawk (1975), Keoma (1976), episodes of The Quest (1976) and How the West Was Won (1977), Oil (1977), Martinelli, Outside Man (1977), Kingdom of the Spiders (1977), Cowboy-San! He was in a TV adaptation of Mandrake the Magician (1954), a pilot for a series that was not picked up, and had small parts in Son of Sinbad (1955), Soldiers of Fortune (1955), and Buruuba (1956) a Japanese film set in Africa. I'd do that if I could. "[20], During Ford's declining years Strode spent four months sleeping on the director's floor as his caregiver, and he was later present at Ford's death.[22]. Strode was born on July 25, 1914, in Los Angeles, California. Often played quiet, dignified men of action, Impeccable musculature and towering height. He appeared in three films with Harrison Ford and landed the title role in Valerio Zurlinis Black Jesus. Strode encountered racism in the NFL. The pioneering Black character actor relocated from the United States to Europe for a while to pursue bigger and more interesting roles. The jobs he was provided dropped within those limited, though significant range. Woody Strode has been died on Dec 31, 1994 ( age 80). His 1968 starring role as a thinly-disguised Patrice Lumumba in Seduto alla sua destra (released in the U.S. as Black Jesus) garnered Strode a great deal of press at the time, but the film is largely forgotten now. Strode played for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League from 1948-1949 before moving back to the United States and beginning his film career. In 1946, he played for the Los Angeles Rams. "Race is not a factor in the world market," he said in 1981. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps.