Forrest Tucker

A Born Entertainer

Forrest Meredith Tucker was born Feb. 12, 1919, in Plainfield, Indiana. At age 14, Tucker worked at the Chicago World’s Fair. After his shift, he sang for tips from tourists.

When the family moved to Washington, D.C., Tucker won the Saturday night talent contest at a Burlesque theater two weeks in a row. The owner hired him as the emcee, until he discovered Tucker was a minor. He fired the boy but invited him back when he was of age.

Instead of returning to high school, Tucker (again not disclosing his age), joined the U.S. Army, and was soon discharged. At age 18, he returned to the Burlesque show, working nights while completing high school. When the theater closed, Tucker headed west.

Hollywood Bound

In 1940, producer Samuel Goldwyn offered Tucker a part in, The Westerner with Gary Cooper. In 1941, Tucker signed with Columbia Pictures but rejoined the Army the following year—this time at the appropriate age. He was discharged in 1945 as a second lieutenant.

Back in Hollywood, Columbia cast Tucker in Coroner Creek (1948), the second of four Westerns he made with Randolph Scott, including Gunfighters (1947), The Nevadan (1950), and Rage at Dawn (1955).

In 1948, Tucker signed with Republic Pictures and became known for his Westerns and action films. In addition to the films with Scott, some of Tucker’s most memorable Westerns include Pony Express (1953) with Charlton Heston, Fort Massacre (1958) with Joel McCrea, Gunsmoke in Tucson (1958) with Mark Stevens, and Chisum (1970) with John Wayne. He also appeared with John Wayne earlier, in the war movie, Sands of Iwo Jima (1949).

From Showdowns to Showstoppers…

In 1958, he starred in the film Auntie Mame. That same year, he joined the national touring company of The Music Man. Afterward, he did a stint on Broadway in Fair Game for Lovers (1964).

Move to the Small Screen – The Next Career Milestone

Tucker joined the cast of the hit TV series F Troop (1965-1967), playing the wheeling-dealing but likable Sgt. Morgan O’Rourke.

Awards

In 1983, Tucker won the Golden Boot Award for his contributions to the Western genre, and in 1986, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tucker was married four times and had three children. He died on Oct. 25, 1986, at age 67.