Rupert Crosse (November 29, 1927 – March 5, 1973) was an American-Nevisian actor. He was best known for Shadows, Ride In The Whirlwind, and The Reivers, the last of which landed him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Crosse was born in New York City but raised by his grandparents on the Caribbean island of Nevis. On returning to the United States he served in the U.S. Army. After his term of service was complete he studied acting with the young actor and budding filmmaker John Cassavetes. He was married to singer Chris Calloway, the daughter of Cab Calloway, and the couple had one child. He died of lung cancer at the age of 47.
Rupert Crosse Filmography:
Film Roles
- 1958 Shadows: Rupert
- 1961 Too Late Blues: Baby Jackson
- 1963 Twilight Of Honor: Jailer’s Assistant (
Uncredited Role) - 1964 The Best Man (1964): Reporter (Uncredited)
- 1964 Marnie: Office Worker (Uncredited)
- 1965 Wild Seed: Hobo
- 1966 Ride In The Whirlwind: Indian Joe
- 1967 Waterhole Number 3: Prince
- 1969 The Reivers: Ned McCaslin
- 1971 Confessions Of A Top Crime Buster: Det. George Robinson (Made-for-TV Movie)
- Starred as same character in TV series The Partners (1971-72)
Television Roles
- 1959 Johnny Staccato: Redtop (1 episode)
- 1961 Rawhide: A Trooper (1 episode)
- 1961 Have Gun – Will Travel: Aaron Jedediah Gibbs (1 episode)
- 1962 Sam Benedict: Moffat (1 episode)
- 1962 The Dick Powell Theatre: Eli (1 episode)
- 1962 The Lloyd Bridges Show: Butler (1 episode)
- 1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour: Dr. Paul Mackey (1 episode)
- 1963 The Great Adventure: William Still (1 episode)
- 1963-64 Ben Casey: Customer (2 episodes)
- 1964-66 The Man from U.N.C.L.E.: Gen. Molte Nobuk/Corporal Remy (2 episodes)
- Appeared as Nobuk in To Trap A Spy, the UNCLE pilot reedited for theatrical release (1964)
- 1966 Dr. Kildare: George Parker (2 episodes)
- 1966 That Girl: Policeman (1 episode)
- 1966 Daktari: Kukula (1 episode)
- 1966 Run For Your Life: Hotel Clerk (1 episode)
- 1966 The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.: Tchelba (1 episode)
- 1967 CBS Playhouse: Funeral Director (1 episode)
- 1967 I Spy: Chester (1 episode)
- 1967 Cowboy In Africa: Jama (1 episode)
- 1967 The Monkees: Thursday (1 episode)
- 1968 The Felony Squad: Rex Hawkins (2 episodes)
- 1970 Bonanza: Davis (1 episode)
- 1970 Men At Law: Johnson (1 episode)
- 1970 The Bill Cosby Show: Felix E. LeBlanc (1 episode)
- 1970 Brackens World: Frederick Webster Sr. (1 episode)
- 1972 Mission: Impossible: Secret Service Agent (1 episode)
Tropes Associated with Rupert Crosse:
- The Big Guy: Was often cast in this type of role because of his height (6’5) and build. Some of his roles are also genius bruisers.
- What Could Have Been: Was cast as Mulhall in The Last Detail alongside his friend Jack Nicholson. Crosse dropped out before filming due to his cancer diagnosis, and the role was filled by Otis Young.
