Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964) was an American film actor. He was famous for his emotionless demeanor and small stature (reports of his height vary from 5'2" to 5'9", with 5'5" being the most generally accepted today). In the majority of his films he played either the hero or a bad guy with a conscience.
Ladd was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas to English immigrant parents.
After first becoming a star with his performance as a hitman with a conscience in This Gun for Hire (1942), he became most famous for his starring role as a gunfighter in the classic 1953 western Shane. Ladd also made Quigley's Top 10 Stars of the Year List 3 times, 1947, 1953 and 1954. In 1954 he starred along side Peter Cushing and Patrick Troughton in The Black Knight. He was sometimes listed as Allan Ladd in credits.
Ladd also worked in radio, most notably the syndicated series Box 13. This series ran from 1948 to 1949 and was produced by Ladd's own company, Mayfair Productions.
Alan Ladd was married to silent film actress Sue Carol, who was also his manager. Actress Jordan Ladd is his granddaughter. His son Alan Ladd, Jr. became a motion picture executive and producer. Another son, David Ladd, married Charlie's Angels star Cheryl Ladd.
He died in Palm Springs, California of an overdose of alcohol and sedatives at the age of 50, a probable suicide. On his death in 1964, Ladd was entombed in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
