Fred Ward
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frederick Ward (born December 30, 1942) is an American actor.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Ward was born in San Diego, California of Scottish-Irish and Native American descent. Before acting, Ward spent three years in the United States Air Force. He was also a boxer, and worked as a lumberjack in Alaska. He became an actor after studying at New York's Herbert Berghof Studio and in Rome. While in Italy he dubbed Italian movies and worked as a mime until he made his debut in two Roberto Rossellini films. Upon returning stateside in the early '70s, Ward spent time working in experimental theater and doing some television work. He made his first American film appearance playing a truck driver in Ginger in the Morning (1974).
[edit] Career
His first major role came in the Clint Eastwood vehicle Escape from Alcatraz (1979) as fellow escapee John Anglin. He was also notable as a violent National Guardsman in Walter Hill's Southern Comfort (1981).
Other notable film roles include astronaut Gus Grissom in The Right Stuff (1983), the overbearing father in Secret Admirer (1985), the title role in the action movie Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985) (his first leading role), Earl Bassett in Tremors (1989) (which he reprised in Tremors II: Aftershocks (1996)), the writer Henry Miller in Philip Kaufman's Henry & June (1990), and the covert security chief in Robert Altman's Hollywood satire The Player (1992).
Fred Ward has continued to be active through the 1990s and 2000s, with roles in films such as Bob Roberts (1992), The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994), Chain Reaction (1996), The Chaos Factor (2000), and Sweet Home Alabama (2002). He has enjoyed success in comedies, dramas and action thrillers.
[edit] Private life
Ward is divorced from Silvia Ward and currently married to Marie-France Ward.
[edit] Awards
- 2006: JTPC Award - Henry & June (Nomination?)
- 2001: Video Premiere Award - Full Discosure (Nomination)
- 1993: Volpi Cup - Short Cuts
- 1993: Golden Globe - Short Cuts