# Richard Martin (actor)

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American actor (1917–1994)

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This article is about the American actor. For the British actor, see [Richard Martin (British director)](/source/Richard_Martin_(British_director)).

Richard Martin Born (1917-12-12)December 12, 1917 Spokane, Washington Died September 4, 1994(1994-09-04) (aged 76) Occupation Actor Years active 1942 - 1960 Known for Chito Rafferty character Spouse Elaine Riley (1946 - 1994)

**Richard Martin** (December 12, 1917 – September 4, 1994) was an American actor. He was best known for his role as Chito Rafferty, the Irish-Mexican [western](/source/Western_(genre)) [comedy relief](/source/Comedy_relief) [sidekick](/source/Sidekick) of [Tim Holt](/source/Tim_Holt) and [Robert Mitchum](/source/Robert_Mitchum), among others. Before their pairing, Martin originated the role in the 1943 film *[Bombardier](/source/Bombardier_(film))*.

## Early life

Martin was born in [Spokane, Washington](/source/Spokane%2C_Washington). His family moved to a Mexican neighbourhood in [West Hollywood, California](/source/West_Hollywood%2C_California), where he learned to imitate his friends.[1] He began in films by working as a [receptionist](/source/Receptionist) for [MGM](/source/MGM).[2] When a friend made a bet with his [agent](/source/Theatrical_agent) that the agent couldn't get Martin an actor's contract, Martin's agent won the bet.[3] He became a prolific contract player for [RKO Pictures](/source/RKO_Pictures) in 1942, often appearing unbilled. It was there his Chito Rafferty character was born.

## Career

Hollywood's [World War II](/source/World_War_II) films often featured many ethnic American enlisted men, and Martin first played Rafferty as a contemporary air crewman in *[Bombardier](/source/Bombardier_(film))*. He soon repeated the role in the western *[Nevada](/source/Nevada_(1944_film))* opposite [Robert Mitchum](/source/Robert_Mitchum). He appeared opposite a few other stars in RKO westerns.[4]

### Post-WWII

After the war, Martin left RKO and essayed the main role in the last [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures) film serial *[The Mysterious Mr. M](/source/The_Mysterious_Mr._M),* as well as the title role in the [1947](/source/1947_in_film) [Cinecolor](/source/Cinecolor) western *[The Adventures of Don Coyote](/source/The_Adventures_of_Don_Coyote_(film))*. When Tim Holt, back from the war, was hired by producer [Herman Schlom](/source/Herman_Schlom) to star in a western series, the two pondered whom they could get for a sidekick, and Schlom recalled Martin's Rafferty character from *Nevada*.[5] Martin returned to RKO in the same year in his first appearance alongside Holt in *[Under the Tonto Rim](/source/Under_the_Tonto_Rim_(1947_film))*, the first of 29 films they did together that were initially based on stories by [Zane Grey](/source/Zane_Grey).

As B westerns and exclusive studio contracts gradually ended in the 1950s, Martin found himself out of work and unable to find any due to his ethnic characterisation. He became an insurance salesman, coming back for one last western, *[Four Fast Guns](/source/Four_Fast_Guns)*, in 1960.

### Chito Rafferty

Martin originated the Mexican-Irish character of Chito Rafferty, whose full name was "Chito Jose Gonzales Bustamonte Rafferty", in 1943's [war film](/source/War_film) *[Bombardier](/source/Bombardier_(film))*.

The character went on to appear in a further 34 films, all of them westerns: 1944's *[Nevada](/source/Nevada_(1944_film))* and 1945's *[West of the Pecos](/source/West_of_the_Pecos_(1945_film))*, both of which starred [Robert Mitchum](/source/Robert_Mitchum); 1945's *[Wanderer of the Wasteland](/source/Wanderer_of_the_Wasteland_(1945_film))*, which starred James Warren; 1946's *[Sunset Pass](/source/Sunset_Pass_(1946_film))* and 1947's *[Code of the West](/source/Code_of_the_West_(1947_film))*, in which the role was not played by Martin but by John Laurenz; then a further 29 films, all of which featured Chito Rafferty as the sidekick to a different hero, always played by Tim Holt: *[Thunder Mountain](/source/Thunder_Mountain_(1947_film))*, *[Under the Tonto Rim](/source/Under_the_Tonto_Rim_(1947_film))* and *[Wild Horse Mesa](/source/Wild_Horse_Mesa_(1947_film))* in 1947, *[Western Heritage](/source/Western_Heritage)*, *[The Arizona Ranger](/source/The_Arizona_Ranger)*, *[Guns of Hate](/source/Guns_of_Hate)*, *[Indian Agent](/source/Indian_Agent_(film))* and *[Gun Smugglers](/source/Gun_Smugglers)* in 1948, *[Brothers in the Saddle](/source/Brothers_in_the_Saddle)*, *[Riders of the Range](/source/Riders_of_the_Range_(1949_film))*, *[Rustlers](/source/Rustlers_(1949_film))*, *[Stagecoach Kid](/source/Stagecoach_Kid)*, *[The Mysterious Desperado](/source/The_Mysterious_Desperado)* and *[Masked Raiders](/source/Masked_Raiders)* in 1949, *[Storm Over Wyoming](/source/Storm_Over_Wyoming)*, *[Rider from Tucson](/source/Rider_from_Tucson)*, *[Dynamite Pass](/source/Dynamite_Pass)*, *[Border Treasure](/source/Border_Treasure)*, *[Rio Grande Patrol](/source/Rio_Grande_Patrol)* and *[Law of the Badlands](/source/Law_of_the_Badlands)* in 1950, *[Saddle Legion](/source/Saddle_Legion)*, *[Gunplay](/source/Gunplay_(film))*, *[Pistol Harvest](/source/Pistol_Harvest)*, *[Hot Lead](/source/Hot_Lead)* and *[Overland Telegraph](/source/Overland_Telegraph_(film))* in 1951, and *[Trail Guide](/source/Trail_Guide)*, *[Road Agent](/source/Road_Agent_(1952_film))*, *[Target](/source/Target_(1952_film))* and *[Desert Passage](/source/Desert_Passage_(film))* in 1952.

The character, particularly in the films with Tim Holt's character, was presented as a loyal sidekick and ladies' man who was afraid to commit to long term relationships with the women to whom he was attracted. Typical plot lines showed Chito flirting with either the female lead character, or supporting character, at the beginning of the film, only to run away from a romantic commitment at the end.

## Personal life

Martin met his wife, former fashion model and actress [Elaine Riley](/source/Elaine_Riley), on a film set in Carmel, where a scheduled four-day shoot stretched to three weeks because of fog.[6] He was married to Riley from 1946 until his death. They worked together only once, in *[Rider from Tucson](/source/Rider_from_Tucson)* (1950), but were regarded as one of Hollywood's happiest couples.[7] When Howard Hughes cancelled Martin's contract at RKO in 1953, he left Hollywood to set up an insurance business. The couple had no children.

## Quotes

*The Irish in me is for fight; the Mexican for love*

## Filmography

Year Title Role Notes 1942 Call Out the Marines Marine Corporal in Café Uncredited 1942 Mexican Spitfire at Sea Steward Uncredited 1942 My Favorite Spy Nightclub Patron Uncredited 1942 The Mayor of 44th Street Office Clerk Uncredited 1942 Mexican Spitfire Sees a Ghost Epping's Chauffeur Uncredited 1942 Thundering Hoofs Man at Dance Uncredited 1942 The Big Street Minor Role Uncredited 1942 The Falcon's Brother Steamship Official Uncredited 1942 Army Surgeon Soldier-Patient Uncredited 1942 Seven Days' Leave Soldier Uncredited 1942 Seven Miles from Alcatraz Second Radio Operator Uncredited 1942 Red River Robin Hood Robbed Rancher's Son Uncredited 1943 Hitler's Children Gestapo Man Uncredited 1943 Ladies' Day Sox Player Uncredited 1943 Bombardier Chito Rafferty 1943 The Leopard Man Raoul Belmonte Uncredited 1943 The Falcon in Danger George Morley 1943 The Adventures of a Rookie Bob Prescott 1943 The Iron Major David 'Davie' Cavanaugh 1943 Gangway for Tomorrow Jules Uncredited 1943 Tender Comrade Mike Dumbrowski 1944 Marine Raiders Pfc. Jimmy Fowler 1944 Nevada Chito Rafferty 1945 Having Wonderful Crime Lance Richards 1945 Wanderer of the Wasteland Chito Rafferty 1945 West of the Pecos 1946 The Bamboo Blonde Jim Wilson 1946 The Mysterious Mr. M Detective Lieutenant Kirby Walsh 1947 The Adventures of Don Coyote Don Coyote 1947 Thunder Mountain Chito Rafferty 1947 Under the Tonto Rim Chito Rafferty 1947 Wild Horse Mesa Chito Rafferty 1948 Western Heritage Chito Rafferty 1948 The Arizona Ranger Chito Rafferty 1948 Guns of Hate Chito Rafferty 1948 Indian Agent Chito Rafferty 1948 Gun Smugglers Chito Rafferty 1949 Brothers in the Saddle Chito Rafferty 1949 Rustlers Chito Rafferty 1949 Stagecoach Kid Chito Rafferty 1949 Masked Raiders Chito Rafferty 1949 The Mysterious Desperado Chito Rafferty 1950 Riders of the Range Chito Rafferty 1950 Dynamite Pass Chito Rafferty 1950 Storm Over Wyoming Chito Rafferty 1950 Rider from Tucson Chito Rafferty 1950 Border Treasure Chito Rafferty 1950 Rio Grande Patrol Chito Rafferty 1951 Law of the Badlands Chito Rafferty 1951 Saddle Legion Chito Rafferty 1951 Gunplay Chito Rafferty 1951 Pistol Harvest Chito Rafferty 1951 Hot Lead Chito Rafferty 1951 Overland Telegraph Chito Rafferty 1952 Trail Guide Chito Rafferty 1952 Road Agent Chito Rafferty 1952 Target Chito Rafferty 1952 Desert Passage Chito Rafferty 1952 The Raiders Felipe de Ortega 1957 Hell Bound Dock Worker Uncredited 1960 Four Fast Guns Quijano (final film role)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Richard Martin | Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos"](https://www.allmovie.com/artist/richard-martin-101481). *www.allmovie.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Richard Martin"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0552955/bio). *[IMDb](/source/IMDb)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Richard Martin, 75, Actor in Westerns"](https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/07/obituaries/richard-martin-75-actor-in-westerns.html). *The New York Times*. 7 September 1994.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-stempel_4-0)** ["Tim Holt and the B Western"](http://offscreen.com/view/tim-holt-and-the-b-western).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** p.187 Rothel, David *Those Great Cowboy Sidekicks* 1984 Scarecrow Press

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Archives"](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-05-me-34929-story.html). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. 5 September 1994.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Elaine Riley, actress - obituary"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12076279/Elaine-Riley-actress-obituary.html). 31 December 2015.

## External links

- [Biography portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Biography)

- [Richard Martin](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0552955/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Richard Martin (actor)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Martin_(actor)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Martin_(actor)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.