{{Short description|American actor (1920–2005)}} {{Lead too short|date=February 2022}} {{Use American English|date=November 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} {{infobox person | name = Keith Andes | image = Keith Andes in Split Second trailer.jpg | caption = Andes in the 1953 movie ''Split Second'' | birth_name = John Charles Andes | birth_date = {{birth date|1920|7|12}} | birth_place = Ocean City, New Jersey, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|2005|11|11|1920|7|12}} | death_place = Newhall, California, U.S. | alma_mater = Temple University (Bachelor of Education) | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1932–1980 | spouse = {{Ubl | {{marriage|Jean Alice Cotton|1946|1961|end=divorced}} | Shelah Hackett ({{abbr|m.|married}} 1961; {{abbr|div.|divorced}} 19??) }} | children = 2, including Mark Andes | module = {{Infobox military person | embed = yes | allegiance = {{Flag|United States}} | branch = 25px United States Army Air Forces | service_years = | rank = | battles = World War II }} }} '''Keith Andes''' (born '''John Charles Andes''',<ref name="usat"/> July 12, 1920<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fold3.com/record/20590410/john-c-andes-us-social-security-death-index | title=John C Andes in US, Social Security Death Index }}</ref> – November 11, 2005) was an American actor. He is known for films such as ''Blackbeard the Pirate'' (1952) and ''Clash by Night'' (1952).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/keith_andes | title=Keith Andes | Rotten Tomatoes | website=Rotten Tomatoes }}</ref>
==Early life== Andes was born to William Gardner Andes (1889–1964)<ref>{{cite news |title=William G. Andes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-william-gardner-an/176831606/ |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=June 8, 1964 |location=Los Angeles, CA |page=51 |access-date=July 17, 2025 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> and Elsie S. Andes (née Metzger, 1889–1972)<ref>{{cite news |title=Elsie M. Andes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-elsie-s-metzger-a/176831641/ |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=August 31, 1972 |location=Los Angeles, CA |page=48 |access-date=July 17, 2025 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref> in Ocean City, New Jersey.<ref name=dm/> By the age of 12, he was featured on the radio.<ref name="usat">{{cite news|title=Andes, leading man to Marilyn Monroe, dies at 85|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-11-27-keith-andes-obit_x.htm|access-date=15 June 2016|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=November 27, 2005}}</ref>
He attended St Edward's School in Oxford, England, and graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia in 1943 with a bachelor's degree in education.<ref name=dm/> While at Temple, he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity,<ref name = Emerald1961>{{cite magazine|last=Warburton|first=Albert F.|date=Winter 1961|volume=47|number=4|magazine=The Emerald of Sigma Pi|title=Behind the make-up of This Man Keith|pages=178–179|url=http://www.enivation.com/SigmaPi/archive/Emerald/1961/SP_EMERALD_VOL_47_NO_4_WINTER_1961.pdf|access-date=October 20, 2016|archive-date=October 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021002107/http://www.enivation.com/SigmaPi/archive/Emerald/1961/SP_EMERALD_VOL_47_NO_4_WINTER_1961.pdf|url-status=usurped}}</ref> and did not participate in the university's theater program. Instead, he spent his time working as a disc jockey for several Philadelphia-area radio stations, including KYW, WFIL, and WIP.<ref name = Emerald1961/><ref name="ox">Keith Andes Ducks Hollywood Social Whirl Scott, John L. ''Los Angeles Times'' 1 Sep 1957: D3.</ref>
==Career== ===Early performances=== Andes began his acting career while serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He served three years and sang and acted in United Service Organization shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMFG-LCT|title=United States World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946|publisher=National Archives and Records Administration}}</ref><ref>Keith Andes, 85, an Actor On Broadway and in Movies: [Obituary (Obit)] ''The New York Times'' 30 Nov 2005: 19.</ref> He was cast in the play ''Winged Victory'' and then cast by 20th Century Fox in the film ''Winged Victory'' (1944).<ref>Keith Andes, Actor 1920–2005. ''The Globe and Mail'' 29 Nov 2005: S.9.</ref>
In 1947, Andes received a Theater World Award for his Broadway debut performance in a revival of the operetta ''The Chocolate Soldier''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Theatre World Award Recipients|url=http://www.theatreworldawards.org/past-recipients.html|website=Theatre World Awards|access-date=15 June 2016|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004022514/http://www.theatreworldawards.org/past-recipients.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 1947, he had a role in the movie ''The Farmer's Daughter'', the film that won Loretta Young her Best Actress Oscar. Andes, Lex Barker and James Arness played the title character's powerfully built and highly protective brothers.
Andes's first leading role in a feature film came with ''Project X'' (1949), a low-budget, independent movie.<ref>{{cite news |title=On Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/portland-press-herald-keith-andes-1920/176906809/ |work=Portland Press Herald |date=March 9, 1950 |location=Portland, ME |page=20 |access-date=July 18, 2025 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}</ref>
In June 1950, he joined the cast of ''Kiss Me, Kate'' on Broadway, taking over the lead from Alfred Drake, starring in the show for over a year, in New York and on tour. This re-ignited Hollywood's interest in him.<ref name="tom">Obituary: Keith Andes; Actor and musical star with brooding good looks: [First Edition] Vallance, Tom. The Independentc24 Dec 2005: 37.</ref>
===RKO and Universal=== [[File:Monroe and Andes in Clash By Night.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Andes with Marilyn Monroe in ''Clash by Night'']] Andes appeared as Marilyn Monroe's sweetheart and Barbara Stanwyck's brother in the film ''Clash by Night'' (1952), directed by Fritz Lang and co-written by Clifford Odets, for RKO.<ref>Drama: Edith Piaf Will Star in Kirkland Film Play; Keith Andes in Debut. Schallert, Edwin. ''Los Angeles Times'' 4 Oct 1951: A7.</ref>
Also for that studio, he played the heroic Lt. Maynard in ''Blackbeard, the Pirate'' (1952) and a supporting role in ''Split Second'' (1953).
In 1953, he starred in a short-lived Broadway musical, ''Maggie''.<ref>Keith Andes to Star in N.Y. Play, 'Maggie'. ''Chicago Daily Tribune'' 22 Feb 1953: e10.</ref>
In 1954, he signed a new contract with RKO even though that studio had kept him idle for a year, causing him to miss a part in ''The High and the Mighty''.<ref>Drama: Actor-Singer Keith Andes Wins New Setup; Johnson Hinted as Joey. Schallert, Edwin. ''Los Angeles Times'' 4 May 1954: A11.</ref> He was under contract to RKO for three years.<ref>Hughes Once Owned Andes By Richard L. Coe. ''The Washington Post and Times-Herald'' 24 July 1968: B5.</ref>
He co-starred with Angela Lansbury in the film noir ''A Life at Stake'' (1954) and was one of several male leads in ''The Second Greatest Sex'' (1955) at Universal, where he signed a long-term contract.
Andes begin guest starring on TV shows like ''Celebrity Playhouse'', ''The Ford Television Theatre'', ''Matinee Theatre'', ''The Loretta Young Show'', ''Conflict'' and ''Playhouse 90''. He also starred in TV adaptations of ''The Great Waltz'' (playing Johann Strauss, Jr.), ''Bloomer Girl'' (1956) and ''Holiday'' (based on ''The Grand Tour'') (1956).<ref>{{cite news|title='Homeward Borne' On 'Playhouse 90' Aug. 22|newspaper=Altoona Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2257515/andes_playhouse_90/|agency=Altoona Tribune|date=August 17, 1957|page=14|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = April 20, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>Keith Andes Is Teamed With Patrice Munsel; Confusion on $64,000. Ames, Walter. ''Los Angeles Times'' 13 Oct 1955: 34.</ref>
He made two films with Jeff Chandler at Universal, ''Away All Boats'' (1956) and ''Pillars of the Sky'' (1956) and did ''Back from Eternity'' (1956) at RKO.<ref>Keith Andes Shares Wheel. ''New York Times'' 31 Dec 1955: 17.</ref><ref>'Pillars of the Sky' Costars Keith Andes. Hopper, Hedda. ''Los Angeles Times'' 17 Aug 1955: b8.</ref> In 1956, he starred in a pilot for the series ''Doctor Mike'', that was not picked up.<ref>Medical TV Show Gets New Title: Screen Gems Renames Film Series 'Dr. Mike'--Keith Andes to Be Its Star Special to ''The New York Times''. ''The New York Times'' 11 Dec 1956: 61.</ref>
At Universal, he had a role in ''Interlude'' (1957), then he appeared in ''The Girl Most Likely'' (1958), the last film made by RKO.
Andes guest starred on ''Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre'', ''Goodyear Theatre'', ''Alcoa Theatre'' and ''The Gale Storm Show: Oh! Susanna''.
In 1958, Andes starred as crusading former Louisiana State Police Superintendent Francis Grevemberg in the film ''Damn Citizen'' at Universal.<ref>'Damned Citizen' Will Star Margaret Hayes. Hopper, Hedda. ''Los Angeles Times'' 25 Apr 1957: C8.</ref>
He starred in two low-budget features: ''Model for Murder'' (1959) in England and ''Surrender - Hell!'' (1960) in the Philippines.
===Television=== Andes was cast in a regular series, playing Frank Dawson in the police drama ''This Man Dawson'' (1959–60),<ref name=st>Erickson, Hal (1989). ''Syndicated Television: The First Forty Years, 1947–1987''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|0-7864-1198-8}}. Pp. 45-46.</ref> the story of a former United States Marine Corps colonel who is hired to stop police corruption in a large, unnamed city.<ref>BARKING BARITONE: Singer Keith Andes Is a Tough Police Chief in New Channel 9 Series Chicago Daily Tribune 31 Oct 1959: 29.</ref>
On Broadway, Andes starred opposite Lucille Ball in the musical ''Wildcat'' (1960–61) which ran for 175 performances.<ref>{{cite web|title=(Keith Andes search)|url=http://www.playbill.com/searchpage/search?shows=on&people=on&theatres=on&search-module=Keith+Andes&qasset=00000150-ac7f-d16d-a550-ec7f227c0002|website=Playbill Vault|access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref>
When ''Wildcat'' ended Andes resumed his television career, guest starring on ''Sea Hunt'', ''Have Gun - Will Travel'', ''Follow the Sun'', ''Vacation Playhouse'' and ''The Rifleman''.
In 1963, Andes was cast in the episode "Firebug" of the anthology series ''GE True'', hosted by Jack Webb. In the story line, Victor Buono portrays Charles Colvin, a barber in Los Angeles, who is by night a pyromaniac. The United States Forest Service works to find Colvin before he can set more fires.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ctva.biz/US/Anthology/GeneralElectricTrue.htm|title=''GE True''|publisher=Classic Television Archive|access-date=March 1, 2013}}</ref>
Later in 1963, Andes was cast in a regular role as the lawyer-husband on the 1963 sitcom ''Glynis'', starring Glynis Johns as his wife,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Grant|first1=Hank|title=Andes Stars in 'Glynis'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5584959/the_decatur_herald/|work=The Decatur Herald|date=September 25, 1963|location=Illinois, Decatur|page=15|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = June 14, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> a mystery writer and amateur sleuth. In 1964 Andes played Professor Peter Wayne in the "Expanding Human" episode of the second season of ''Outer Limits.''
He had a notable guest star appearance in ''Star Trek'' in 1967 as Akuta in "The Apple."
He guest-starred on ''77 Sunset Strip'', ''Perry Mason'' (in the episodes "The Case of the Skeleton's Closet" and "The Case of the Illicit Illusion"), Mickey Rooney's short-lived sitcom ''Mickey'', ''The Littlest Hobo'', ''Death Valley Days'', ''The Outer Limits'', ''Valentine's Day'', ''Branded'', ''The Lucy Show'' and ''Run for Your Life''.<ref>Keith Andes Stars. ''Los Angeles Times'' 29 Sep 1964: C13.</ref>
Andes starred as the manager of a radio station in the serial ''Paradise Bay'', which debuted September 27, 1965.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2257369/keith_andes_paradise_bay/|title=TV Highlights|newspaper=The San Bernardino County Sun |agency=The San Bernardino County Sun|date=September 27, 1965|page=19|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = April 20, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref>
He returned to guest-star roles in ''Daniel Boone'', ''The Andy Griffith Show'' and ''I Spy''.
His work included voice acting in the animated ''Birdman and the Galaxy Trio'' (1967) as Birdman.<ref name=etvs>Terrace, Vincent (2011). ''Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010''. McFarland & Company, Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7864-6477-7}}. P. 109.</ref> In 1967, he toured in a production of ''Man of La Mancha''.<ref>Keith Andes, 85; Actor Was Marilyn Monroe's Co-Star in 1952 Film: [HOME EDITION]. Nelson, Valerie J. ''Los Angeles Times'' 27 Nov 2005: B.12.</ref>
===Later career=== He appeared as General George C. Marshall in the film ''Tora! Tora! Tora!'' and in the biker movie ''Hell's Bloody Devils'' (1970).
He guest-starred on ''Petticoat Junction'', ''The Bold Ones: The New Doctors'', ''Dan August'', ''The Streets of San Francisco'', ''Search'', ''Gunsmoke'', ''Cannon'', ''Caribe'' and ''The Magical World of Disney'' ("Twister, Bull from the Sky").
His later appearances included the films ''...And Justice for All'' (1979) and ''The Ultimate Impostor'' (1979) as well as playing Minister Darius in the ''Buck Rogers in the 25th Century'' episode "Buck's Duel to the Death".
Following his final appearance in the TV movie ''Blinded by the Light'' (1980), he retired. He later said "I was divorced, my kids were grown and that is when I bought a boat and lived on it and ran charters on it over to Catalina and down to Mexico and back. I just had a ball."<ref name="tom"/>
== Personal life == On November 30, 1946, Andes married nurse Jean A. Cotton in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania.<ref name="dm">{{cite news|title=Jean A. Cotton Bride of Stage, Screen Actor|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5584189/the_daily_messenger/|work=The Daily Messenger|date=December 2, 1946|location=New York, Canandaigua|page=3|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = June 14, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> The couple divorced in 1961.<ref>{{cite news|title=Actor Keith Andes Given Custody of Teenage Sons|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5585060/valley_news/|work=Valley News|date=August 16, 1964|location=California, Van Nuys|page=20|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = June 14, 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> They had two sons: musicians Mark (in bands Spirit, Jo Jo Gunne, Firefall and Heart) and Matt (also a member of Spirit and Jo Jo Gunne).<ref name="usat" />
In 1961, he married Sheila Hackett during a break in ''Wildcat''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Keith Andes Reweds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1961/02/11/archives/keith-andes-reweds.html |access-date=December 9, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=February 11, 1961 |page=28|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
== Death == On November 11, 2005, Andes was found dead at his home in Santa Clarita, California. He was 85.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2005-11-27|title=Keith Andes, 85; Actor Was Marilyn Monroe's Co-Star in 1952 Film |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-nov-27-me-andes27-story.html|access-date=2023-03-17|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Actor Keith Andes Found Dead in Home.County coroner's office rules death a suicide. |url=https://scvhistory.com/scvhistory/obituary_keithandes.htm|access-date=2023-03-17|website=SCV History|language=en-US}}</ref> He had been suffering from bladder cancer and other ailments (he had been a smoker). His death was ruled as suicide by asphyxiation <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/30/arts/keith-andes-85-an-actor-on-broadway-and-in-movies-dies.html | title=Keith Andes, 85, an Actor on Broadway and in Movies, Dies | work=The New York Times | date=November 30, 2005 }}</ref> according to a report from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.<ref name=usat/>
==Filmography== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class = "unsortable" | Notes |- |1944|| ''Winged Victory'' || Flyer || Uncredited |- |1947|| ''The Farmer's Daughter'' || Sven Holstrom || |- |1949|| ''Project X'' || Steve Monahan || |- |1952|| ''Clash by Night'' || Joe Doyle || |- |1952|| ''Blackbeard the Pirate'' || Robert Maynard || |- |1953|| ''Split Second'' || Larry Fleming || |- |1954|| ''A Life at Stake'' || Edward Shaw || |- |1955|| ''The Second Greatest Sex'' || Rev. Peter Maxwell || |- |1956|| ''Away All Boats'' || Doctor Bell || |- |1956|| ''Back from Eternity'' || Joe Brooks || |- |1956|| ''Pillars of the Sky'' || Capt. Tom Gaxton || |- |1957|| ''Interlude'' || Dr. Morley Dwyer || |- |1957|| ''The Girl Most Likely'' || Neil Patterson, Jr. || |- |1957|| ''Turn of Fate'' || David Cramer || ep29 - The Lady Takes A Stand |- |1958|| ''Damn Citizen'' || Col. Francis C. Grevemberg || |- |1959|| ''Model for Murder'' || David Martens || |- |1959|| ''Surrender - Hell!'' || Col. Donald D. Blackburn || |- | 1961 || ''Sea Hunt'' || Todd Webster ||Season 4, Episode 37 |- | 1962 || ''The Rifleman '' || Reynolds ||Season 4, Episode 23 |- | 1964 || ''The Tattooed Police'' || Narrator || Voice |- | 1964 || ''Perry Mason'' || Dr. Young || Season 7, Episode 25 |- |1967|| ''Star Trek'' || Akuta || Episode: "The Apple" |- |1970|| ''Hell's Bloody Devils'' || Joe Brimante || |- |1970|| ''Tora! Tora! Tora!'' || General George C. Marshall || |- |1979|| ''...And Justice for All'' || Marvin Bates || |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|Biography|New Jersey|California|Theatre|Film|Television}} {{Commons}} * {{IBDB name}} * {{IMDb name|0027882}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Andes, Keith}} Category:1920 births Category:2005 deaths Category:2005 suicides Category:Actors from Cape May County, New Jersey Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford Category:American expatriates in England Category:American male film actors Category:American male musical theatre actors Category:American male radio actors Category:American male television actors Category:American male voice actors Category:Male actors from New Jersey Category:Male actors from New York City Category:Male actors from Philadelphia Category:Male actors from Santa Clarita, California Category:Male suicides Category:Military personnel from Cape May County, New Jersey Category:Musicians from Philadelphia Category:People from Newhall, Santa Clarita, California Category:People from Ocean City, New Jersey Category:Sigma Pi members Category:Singers from Pennsylvania Category:Suicides by asphyxiation Category:Suicides in California Category:Temple University College of Education alumni Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II Category:20th-century American male actors Category:20th-century American male singers Category:20th-century American singers Category:People educated at St Edward's School, Oxford