Leif Erickson

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Leif Erickson is also an alternate spelling of the name of the explorer Leif Ericson.

Leif Erickson (October 27, 1911 – January 29, 1986) was an American actor.

Born William Anderson in Alameda, California, he appeared in films such as College Holiday (1937), Conquest (1938), Ride a Crooked Mile (1939), Sorry, Wrong Number (1948), The Snake Pit (1948), Fourteen Hours (1951), Invaders from Mars (1953), On the Waterfront (1954), Twilight for the Gods (1958), A Gathering of Eagles (1963) and The Carpetbaggers (1964). Perhaps his most notable role was as Deborah Kerr's macho husband in the stage and film versions of Tea and Sympathy. He also played the role of Pete, the vindictive boat engineer, in the 1951 screen version of the famed musical Show Boat. Erickson appeared frequently on television and had a leading role in the television series The High Chaparral from 1967 until 1971.

He was married to the actress Frances Farmer from 1936 until 1942. He married the actress Margaret Hayes on the day his divorce from Farmer was finalised, but this marriage lasted only one month.

He died from cancer in Pensacola, Florida.