Post by teleadm on Jan 10, 2019 12:44:24 GMT
Salvatore Mineo, Jr. was born 80 years ago, he would become from the mid 1950s to the early 1960s a popular star on the youthful movie market, he was nominated for two Oscars, Rebel Without a Cause and Exodus, and won a Golden Globe for Exodus. Sadly his life ended suddenly in 1976 when he was stabbed to death.
Mineo was born in the Bronx, the son of coffin makers. He was of Sicilian descent; his father was born in Italy and his mother, of Italian origin, was born in the United States.
His mother enrolled him in dancing and acting school at an early age. He had his first stage appearance in Tennessee Williams' play The Rose Tattoo 1951 He also played the young prince opposite Yul Brynner in the stage musical The King and I. Brynner took the opportunity to help Mineo better himself as an actor.
On May 8, 1954, Mineo portrayed the Page (lip-synching to the voice of mezzo-soprano Carol Jones) in the NBC Opera Theatre's production of Richard Strauss's Salome (in English translation), set to Oscar Wilde's play.
As a teenager, Mineo appeared on ABC's musical quiz program Jukebox Jury, which aired in the 1953-1954 season. Mineo made several television appearances before making his screen debut in the Joseph Pevney film Six Bridges to Cross 1955. He beat out Clint Eastwood for the role!
Mineo also successfully auditioned for a part in The Private War of Major Benson 1955, as a cadet colonel opposite Charlton Heston.
Mineo's breakthrough as an actor came in Rebel Without a Cause 1955, in which he played John "Plato" Crawford, the sensitive teenager smitten with Jim Stark (played by James Dean). His performance resulted in an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and his popularity quickly developed.
By the late 1950s, the actor was a major celebrity, sometimes referred to as the "Switchblade Kid"—a nickname he earned from his role as a criminal in the movie Crime in the Streets 1956.
In 1957, Mineo made a brief foray into pop music by recording a handful of songs and an album. Two of his singles reached the Top 40 in the United States' Billboard Hot 100. The more popular of the two, "Start Movin' (In My Direction)", reached #9 on Billboard's pop chart. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.
By the early 1960s, Mineo was becoming too old to play the type of role that had made him famous, and his rumoured homosexuality led to his being considered inappropriate for leading roles.
Mineo was the model for Harold Stevenson's painting "The New Adam" 1963. The painting currently is part of the Guggenheim Museum's permanent collection
In 1969, Mineo returned to the stage to direct a Los Angeles production of the LGBT-themed play Fortune and Men's Eyes 1967, featuring then unknown Don Johnson.
Mineo's last motion picture role was a small part in the film Escape from the Planet of the Apes 1971, he played the chimpanzee Dr. Milo. Though he made many guest star roles on television, the last was an episode of Joe Forrester 1976, he was murdered only ten days after that episode aired, aged only 37!!
An uncomplete trip down Memory Lane:
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2856943-1451915795-3073.jpeg.jpg)
Six Bridges to Cross 1955, making his screen debut.
The Private War of Major Benson 1955, with Charlton Heston.
Rebel Without a Cause 1955, with Natalie Wood and James Dean. Sal earned an Oscar nomination.
Crime in the Streets 1956, with John Cassavetes and Mark Rydell.
Somebody Up There Likes Me 1956 publicity pic, with Paul Newman.
Giant 1956
Dino 1957 lobby card
The Young Don't Cry 1957
Tonka 1958, with Joy Page
A Private's Affair 1959, with Terry Moore.
:format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2516776-1418656984-6094.jpeg.jpg)
The Gene Krupa Story 1959 soundtrack album, with the real Gene Krupa.
Exodus 1960, with Jill Haworth. Sal earned an Oscar nomination, and won a Golden Globe Award.
Escape from Zahrain 1962, with Yul Brynner.
The Longest Day 1962
Cheyenne Autumn 1964, with Dolores del Rio.
As Uriah in The Greatest Story Ever Told 1965, with Van Heflin and Ed Wynn.
Krakatoa, East of Java 1969
Escape from the Planet of the Apes 1971, with Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall, all in masks. This became Sal's last screen role.
Guest star on SWAT 2-parter Deadly Tide 1975, with Christopher George.
Published in 2010
Thanks for watching!!
Thoughts, oppinions and/or lists are as always very welcome!
Mineo was born in the Bronx, the son of coffin makers. He was of Sicilian descent; his father was born in Italy and his mother, of Italian origin, was born in the United States.
His mother enrolled him in dancing and acting school at an early age. He had his first stage appearance in Tennessee Williams' play The Rose Tattoo 1951 He also played the young prince opposite Yul Brynner in the stage musical The King and I. Brynner took the opportunity to help Mineo better himself as an actor.
On May 8, 1954, Mineo portrayed the Page (lip-synching to the voice of mezzo-soprano Carol Jones) in the NBC Opera Theatre's production of Richard Strauss's Salome (in English translation), set to Oscar Wilde's play.
As a teenager, Mineo appeared on ABC's musical quiz program Jukebox Jury, which aired in the 1953-1954 season. Mineo made several television appearances before making his screen debut in the Joseph Pevney film Six Bridges to Cross 1955. He beat out Clint Eastwood for the role!
Mineo also successfully auditioned for a part in The Private War of Major Benson 1955, as a cadet colonel opposite Charlton Heston.
Mineo's breakthrough as an actor came in Rebel Without a Cause 1955, in which he played John "Plato" Crawford, the sensitive teenager smitten with Jim Stark (played by James Dean). His performance resulted in an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and his popularity quickly developed.
By the late 1950s, the actor was a major celebrity, sometimes referred to as the "Switchblade Kid"—a nickname he earned from his role as a criminal in the movie Crime in the Streets 1956.
In 1957, Mineo made a brief foray into pop music by recording a handful of songs and an album. Two of his singles reached the Top 40 in the United States' Billboard Hot 100. The more popular of the two, "Start Movin' (In My Direction)", reached #9 on Billboard's pop chart. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.
By the early 1960s, Mineo was becoming too old to play the type of role that had made him famous, and his rumoured homosexuality led to his being considered inappropriate for leading roles.
Mineo was the model for Harold Stevenson's painting "The New Adam" 1963. The painting currently is part of the Guggenheim Museum's permanent collection
In 1969, Mineo returned to the stage to direct a Los Angeles production of the LGBT-themed play Fortune and Men's Eyes 1967, featuring then unknown Don Johnson.
Mineo's last motion picture role was a small part in the film Escape from the Planet of the Apes 1971, he played the chimpanzee Dr. Milo. Though he made many guest star roles on television, the last was an episode of Joe Forrester 1976, he was murdered only ten days after that episode aired, aged only 37!!
An uncomplete trip down Memory Lane:
Six Bridges to Cross 1955, making his screen debut.
The Private War of Major Benson 1955, with Charlton Heston.
Rebel Without a Cause 1955, with Natalie Wood and James Dean. Sal earned an Oscar nomination.
Crime in the Streets 1956, with John Cassavetes and Mark Rydell.
Somebody Up There Likes Me 1956 publicity pic, with Paul Newman.
Giant 1956
Dino 1957 lobby card
The Young Don't Cry 1957
Tonka 1958, with Joy Page
A Private's Affair 1959, with Terry Moore.
The Gene Krupa Story 1959 soundtrack album, with the real Gene Krupa.
Exodus 1960, with Jill Haworth. Sal earned an Oscar nomination, and won a Golden Globe Award.
Escape from Zahrain 1962, with Yul Brynner.
The Longest Day 1962
Cheyenne Autumn 1964, with Dolores del Rio.
As Uriah in The Greatest Story Ever Told 1965, with Van Heflin and Ed Wynn.
Krakatoa, East of Java 1969
Escape from the Planet of the Apes 1971, with Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowall, all in masks. This became Sal's last screen role.
Guest star on SWAT 2-parter Deadly Tide 1975, with Christopher George.
Published in 2010
Thanks for watching!!
Thoughts, oppinions and/or lists are as always very welcome!
%205.2.jpg)
