Audie Murphy
é
a widely forgotten movie star
Today, but with an unusual career. His premature death helped erase him from the list of actors of Hollywood’s Golden Age, despite having starred in 50 films in 31 years.
Most decorated American actor and military officer
Before becoming an actor, Murphy had already distinguished himself… in war. When the United States entered World War II, he volunteered at the age of 18. His skill as a shooter (acquired over years of hunting to support his family) and his bravery on the battlefield earned him the distinction of being the most decorated American soldier of the entire conflict. He graced the prestigious cover of the magazine.
Time
On July 16, 1945, and was awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military distinction of the United States.
But when the war ended, Murphy found himself, at 20 years old, without prospects for the future. Until an actor approached him…
Discovered by James Cagney
James Cagney
, known for his gangster roles in Hollywood, asked to meet him and decided to make him an actor. The adventure was interrupted, the two separated, but Murphy kept the idea and decided to take some acting classes.
Audie was not very good, and at 1.65 meters tall, he did not meet the standards of Hollywood actors at the time. However, he was young, had a baby face, and a determined look that seduced Universal Studios, giving him a chance with the western.
Bloody Duel
, no which played
Billy the Kid
.
He became “stereotyped” and
only made westerns
, whether as the irreproachable cowboy, or as the fearless soldier. The best was, without a doubt,
The Glory of a Coward
, de
John Huston
, and most of them had a great box office performance.
The demons of the hero
No set, Audie did not have a good reputation. In addition to the lack of trust as an actor and a serious case of imposter syndrome, he was also known for his sudden and violent outbursts of anger. Those who worked with him would say that the war, which he always experienced firsthand, left indelible marks.
It was only in 1955 that Murphy
managed to leave the west
to take your autobiography,
To Hell and Back
, on the screens. He played himself and relived his wartime feats, transformed by the dream factory that is Hollywood. The experience was traumatic and devastating for the actor.
The problems are piling up
At the beginning of the 1960s, Murphy was ruined by gambling debts, his private life was a mess, and his film career was in decline.
At the same time, he developed a dependency on sleeping pills. From 1958 to 1966, he was under the influence of the medication, which left him semi-comatose and made people think he was an alcoholic. He stated at the time: “I was a zombie. Nothing interested me. If a bus came into my path, I would force it to stop.”
Decline and premature death
Forced to accept roles in dull westerns, Murphy collaborated with
Budd Boetticher
in 1969, in the west
A Time for Dying
, for which he himself secured funding. Audie had a supporting role, and this was his last appearance in cinema.
In 1970, he was arrested for attempted murder, but was found not guilty. The following year, while traveling on a private plane flying over Virginia, adverse weather conditions caused the aircraft to crash. Murphy died, along with the other four passengers, at the age of 45.
He was buried with full military honors, and in 2014, his tomb was still one of the most visited ones at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, coming only after the one of
John F. Kennedy
.
Read the article at radarsantri.com
About The Author
