Saturday, 1 June 2013

STEVE FORREST - THE BARON

I read with sadness this week that the actor Steve Forrest has died aged 87.


Born William Forrest Andrews  in Huntsville, Texas,  the squared -jawed, handsome actor was the younger brother of actor Dana Andrews, and was probably best known to some as  Lt Hondo Harrelson in the American TV series, S.W.A.T., but to me he will always be John Mannering  alias The Baron.








This 60’s TV action series was one of my favourite ITC shows and Steve’s portrayal as the globe trotting man-about- town antique dealer, who doubled as a trouble shooting secret agent was the perfect role model for a  young impressionable seven year old like me.


The series also had the distinction of being the first ITC live action full series to be produced in colour ( Gerry Anderson’s Stingray was the first full ITC series in colour)


The series was produced between 1965/66 and also starred the late Sue Lloyd as Cordelia Winfield.


Like the Roger Moore Saint series which used a Volvo P1800, The Baron drove around in a sporty and exclusive silver Jenson CV8.


The series was loosely based on the book series written by prolific author, John Creasy, written under the pseudonym of Anthony Morton.


Steve was also a keen golfer, taking part in some major competitions, and which from time to time found time to practice during the shooting of the series.


Steve Forrest 1925 -2013


4 comments:

  1. Great actor and series.

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  2. Here in the USA, Steve Forrest was more know for the 1970s TV series SWAT.

    He will be missed all the same.


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.W.A.T._%28TV_series%29

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  3. Why was he called the Baron?

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  4. In the TV series his Texan family owned a cattle brand called Baron.

    ReplyDelete