SANTA BARBARA, CALIF.–Bradford Dillman, who starred in the taut 1959 crime drama “Compulsion,” played Robert Redford’s best friend in “The Way We Were” and portrayed Edmund in the original Broadway production of Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey Into Night,” died here Jan. 16, due to complications from pneumonia. He was 87.
MSTies will recall his performance as the narrator in the movie “Monstrosity,” seen in episode 518- THE ATOMIC BRAIN.
The Hollywood Reporter has the story.
Thanks to Paul for the heads up.
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“Can death be outwitted? Is the secret of eternal life just around the corner? Today, medical science patches up mutilated bodies, transplanting human eyes, limbs, even vital organs. Is the next step the transplantation of the human brain? Many scientists answer yes. But they pause and add a grim warning. For in the ancient legends, tales are told of blood-sucking vampires crawling out of the graves to live on the bodies of helpless victims. Is man now doomed to produce a race of ever-living monstrosities worse than the vampires of legend? Will ruthless men and women of power readily buy and steal the bodies of the young and beautiful so their brains may live on forever? Such questions may seem fanciful, but at this very moment scientists are working on the answer to brain transplantation and human bodies are used.”
And yet too late for him .
I always liked Mr. Dillman. He was a solid “television series” actor, and in his many supporting player parts in films he was reliable and believable. R.I.P.
He was the poor man’s Bruce Dern. Or do I mean that the other way around? Like the previous poster said, he was a solid TV and supporting actor; seemed like for a while he was in every series on TV at some point. RIP
I never knew that he was the narrator of “The Atomic Brain” (Monstrosity). He also starred in William Castle’s “Bug”, a wacky horror, exploitation movie, filmed partially on the sets of The Brady Bunch. He was a good interview and not shy about criticizing other actors or himself. He had some beef against Heston (Charlton, not Jonah), but I don’t recall what it was. RIP
Another wonderful character actor is gone. The recent restoration of Monstrosity had a nice interview with Bradford Dillman, so I’m glad they had the chance to talk to him before he passed. I’ll always remember him as the protagonist in Joe Dante’s “Piranha” and as a great antagonist to Clint’s Dirty Harry in “The Enforcer”. Not to mention the solid work in other films and TV shows. Very much missed.
I remember Dillman from one of the best Night Gallery episodes, Pickman’s Model, as well a some pretty good Mission Impossible episodes. He will be missed.
You were enjoyed. Like the mind of an 80 year old in the body of a 20 year old.
To think like the Dillman, to live like the Dillman…
I’m glad to know Bradford Dillman lived a long, full life after suffering rejection from Magic Voice.
RIP, Mr. Dillman.
He was in everything but I remember him most for Escape From The Planet Of The Apes.
I remember him most fondly as the ill-fated hero of Joe Dante’s Piranha and the greasy, sleazy toady Major Baker from Irwin Allen’s disastrous disaster The Swarm. Rest in peace, Major.
He did a lot of B movies and TV shows.
The Swarm. Lords of the Deep, Piranha
I can’t believe no one has riffed those.
When you play nice, you get Likes… :)