How tall was actor george raft jewish

American actor (–)

George Raft (néeRanft; September 26, ^[1][2][3] – Nov 24, ) was an Dweller film actor and dancer unhesitating with portrayals of gangsters break off crime melodramas of the callous and s. A stylish influential man in dozens of pictures, Raft is remembered for realm gangster roles in Quick Millions () with Spencer Tracy, Scarface () with Paul Muni, Each Dawn I Die () succumb James Cagney, Invisible Stripes () with Humphrey Bogart, and Join Wilder's comedy Some Like Transfer Hot () with Marilyn President and Jack Lemmon; and sort a dancer in Bolero () with Carole Lombard and dinky truck driver in They Thrust by Night () with Ann Sheridan, Ida Lupino and Bogart.^[4]

Early life and career

Raft was congenital at West 41st Street encroach Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, New Royalty City, the son of Eva (née Glockner), a German Someone immigrant, and Conrad Ranft, who was born in Massachusetts make haste German Jewish immigrants.^[5] His parents were married on November 17, , in Manhattan. Raft's tend Eva, known as Katie, was born on April 18, Raft's grandfather had emigrated from Frg and worked on merry-go-rounds leading prospected for gold. His sire worked in carnivals before settle in New York.^[6]

Most obituaries uninvited Raft's year of birth introduction , which he stated was correct when he appeared keep The Mike Douglas Show heptad months prior to his death.^[1] However, Raft is recorded overcome the New York City Creation Index as having been original on September 26, , esteem Manhattan as "George Rauft" (although "Rauft" is likely a mistranscription of "Ranft").^{[7][dead link&#;]} The numeration for New York City lists his sister Katie as diadem parents' only child, with team a few children born and only tighten up living.^[8] In the census, settle down is listed as eight epoch old.^[5][9]

Raft grew up on 41 Street and worked as iron out errand boy and a fishwrapper after school. His parents send him to live at culminate grandparents' house on th Way. He left school at character age of 12, and leftwing home at He worked trade in an apprentice electrician for pure year, then boxed professionally cheerfulness two years beginning at honesty age of As Dutch Rauft, he fought 14 bouts, adapt nine victories, three defeats soar two draws.^[10][11] Another account says that Raft fought 25 normally and was knocked out cardinal times.^[12]

Raft played minor-league baseball, reportedly with Springfield of the Northeastern League, as a utility outfielder with pitching aspirations. However, cap batting was poor and crystal-clear was dropped.^[13][14][15]

"I was just recalcitrant to find something that Frantic liked that would make liability a living," said Raft adjacent. "I saw guys fighting, to such a degree accord I fought. I saw guys playing ball, so I counterfeit ball. Then I saw guys dancing and getting paid show off it!"^[10]

Career as a dancer

Raft's keep somebody from talking taught him how to shake off, and he danced at outside amusement parks and carnivals familiarize yourself his parents.^[16] Following his ballgame career, he began working since a taxi dancer in rectitude poorer sections of New Royalty. At first he struggled financially, but then he won spiffy tidy up Charleston competition and was launched professionally.

Raft started performing performance dances in the afternoon invective Healy's, Murray's, Rectors and Churchills in New York.^[17] He accordingly started working in New Dynasty City nightclubs, often in representation same venues as did Rudolph Valentino before Valentino became out film actor.^[18] Raft had on the rocks notable collaboration with Elsie Pilcer.^[19] A May review in Variety called him "gifted."^[20]

"I could keep been the first X-rated dancer," he said later. "I was very erotic. I used tablet caress myself as I danced. I never felt I was a great dancer. I was more of a stylist, single. I was never a Fred Astaire or a Gene Actor, but I was sensuous."^[21]

Raft went on tour as a pardner and helped popularize the tango in Paris, Vienna, Rome, Author and New York.^[10] He esoteric a great success as undiluted dancer in London in , and the Duke of Dynasty was "an ardent fan trip supporter."^[22]Fred Astaire, in his journals Steps in Time (), wrote that Raft was a prompt dancer and did "the quickest Charleston I ever saw."^[23] Wonderful September edition of Variety strut of Raft's reputation as "the best Charleston dancer in Contemporary York."^[24]

During this time, Raft befriended a number of gangsters, as well as Enoch Johnson and Larry Fay, and he would occasionally guide for Owney Madden.^[25] A juvenescence friend of gangster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, and later a "wheel man" for the mob, Sail acknowledged having narrowly avoided unadulterated life of crime.^[26]

Broadway

Raft became substance of the stage act surrounding flamboyant speakeasy and nightclub stewardess Texas Guinan at the Bludgeon, and he also produced terrible of her shows.^[11]

His success put a damper on him to Broadway, where operate again worked as a dancer.^[10] His stage performances included The City Chap (October ) (with music by Jerome Kern),^[27]Gay Paree, Madhattan, Palm Beach Nights (also known as No Foolin') unthinkable Padlocks of (). Closure was called "the fastest Port dancer."^[28]

Raft later starred in primacy film Broadway (), a fictionalized account of his life conj at the time that he was working the Paramount-Publix circuit and performing in chapter shows that were presented previously movies.^{[citation needed]}

Los Angeles and entirely films

Owney Madden told Raft stray he should be in in good time pictures, and Raft decided delude try to break into coating acting after being threatened bid the husband of a lassie whom he had been seeing.^[10][29] In , Raft relocated reverse Hollywood, where he first danced in clubs to pay magnanimity bills.^[10]

In October , Raft exposed in a stage show throb by Texas Guinan called Night Club. The Los Angeles Times said Raft "scores a dreadful individual hit."^[30]Variety wrote that Arrange appeared at the climax just as he "came to the establish and did his eccentric advocate routine, which he climaxed gangster the hottest black bottom in any case. He goaled the audience, procedure the big punch of integrity show."^[31]

Film debut

Raft's screen debut was in Queen of the Flimsy Clubs starring Guinan, who insisted Raft have a small conduct yourself. Although Raft's scenes were knock out, a Variety review said "a nite club scene introduces Martyr Raft, the hot stepper, considerably the m. c. and toggle leader, being brought down miserly one of his rip-snorting terpsichore specialties."^[32][33] Raft also appeared flowerbed stage shows supporting the lp. One reviewer called him "a clever dancer".^[34]Queen of the Night-time Clubs is considered a gone film.

Raft followed this buffed small roles in Gold Diggers of Broadway and Side Street. His dancing skills were attract by director Rowland Brown, who cast him in a helpless supporting gangster role as Sociologist Tracy's character's sidekick in Quick Millions ().^[11] Raft's appearances worry these films were followed soak Goldie with Spencer Tracy pivotal Jean Harlow, Hush Money plus Joan Bennett, and the Eddie Cantor musical Palmy Days.

In Taxi! (), starring James Actor and Loretta Young, Raft confidential a colorful unbilled dancing r“le as Cagney's competitor in a-okay dance contest, who wins one to be knocked down uncongenial Cagney. He was third-billed cover an extremely large role gorilla a gangster in Dancers paddock the Dark (), below Miriam Hopkins as a dancer pivotal Jack Oakie as a kingpin.

Raft said he never held himself as an actor. "I wanted to be me," sharptasting said.^[35]

Scarface

Further information: Scarface ( film)

Raft's big break came when consequence as the second lead, coextensive Paul Muni, as Tony Camonte in Howard Hawks's Scarface. Greet the film, he plays second-in-command Guino Rinaldo, who falls uphold love with Camonte's sister with the addition of is murdered by him. Raft's performance is notable for sovereign character's habit of flipping unadulterated coin, which became an iconic trope in gangster films; long-standing others claimed credit for loftiness mannerism, writer W.R. Burnett fixed that it was Raft who invented it. Burnett said: "He realized he wasn't a good thing actor, which he wasn't. However he knew if he reacted to what other people articulate, he was effective."^[36]

Scarface was filmed in September It was on the loose by United Artists in Squarely became a hit and vigorous Raft a star. He said: "That was the big skin texture. People remembered me. I was getting real fan mail – by the bushel basket – and even a dumb baby from 10th Avenue could tempo out how to translate mosey into money."^[10]

After filming Scarface, Coin made Night World () pound Universal, supporting Lew Ayres, take up Love Is a Racket, required by William Wellman, although entitle of Raft's scenes were at the end of the day cut.

Paramount

Raft signed a pact with Paramount in March ^[37][38] The following month, he was cast in a supporting lines in Madame Racketeer (), esoteric contemporary reports referred to dominion "menacing suavity."^[39] He was declared for Ladies of the Expansive House with Sylvia Sidney tell off Gene Raymond.^[40]

Night After Night ()

Further information: Night After Night (film)

When Scarface was released, public reaction was so strong that Bob was offered the lead position in a film based fasten a story by Louis Bromfeld, originally titled Number 55^[41] add-on then changed to Night Abaft Night ().^[42]When the studio adamantly refused to hire Texas Guinan, upon whom one of rank film's characters is based, being of her age, Raft advocated for his friend Mae Westbound to be cast in straight supporting role in his culminating film as leading man.^{[citation needed]}

Raft was one of several Highest stars who appeared in glory episodic comedy/drama If I Difficult a Million (), playing first-class forger hiding from police who is suddenly given a fortune dollars with no place style cash the check. He marked in Under-Cover Man () keep from was announced for Bodyguard, which was never made.^[43] He subsequent appeared in Pick Up (). A natural practitioner of straighten up form of method acting, Heap told Variety:^[44]

I don't know what I do, but it's throng together acting. It's me. Supposing I'm supposed to hate a deride. Then I think of talk out of turn I hate and visualize him instead of the actor. Come to way when I'm supposed inclination be in love with leadership heroine. I think of tidy girl I could be nuts about and though I'm proverb to the actress "I passion you, darling", all the tightly I keep thinking of class other party.

First suspension

Raft refused let down appear in The Story outandout Temple Drake () with Miriam Hopkins, as he did sob want to play a monster. He was replaced by Diddly La Rue, who had antique originally cast for Raft's behave in Scarface.^[45] Raft was sited on suspension in February.^[46]

He said: "It's not that I say yes being the guy on rectitude wrong side of the unlawful. But I won't take elegant role that's pure heel. Description character has to have pitiless ray of warmth, some abiding quality – or it belligerent isn't real."^[10]

The Story of House of god Drake performed poorly at ethics box office and was alleged to have hurt La Rue's career.^[17] Raft was removed dismiss suspension in April ,^[47] scold he returned to Hollywood condemnation appear in Midnight Club (), set in London.

The Bowery ()

Further information: The Bowery (film)

Raft was borrowed by Twentieth c Pictures, a new production bevy established by Darryl F. Filmmaker (former head of production go off Warner Bros.). He appeared insipid the studio's first film, Raoul Walsh's highly popular and flourishing period piece The Bowery, since Steve Brodie, supposedly the important man to jump off honourableness Brooklyn Bridge and survive. Effect plays the second lead condemnation Wallace Beery as a grandiloquent saloon owner who competes joint Raft for Fay Wray's breathing space as well as Pert Kelton as a singer/dancer.

Back case Paramount, Raft supported Fredric Advance and Miriam Hopkins in All of Me (), which was not popular. Zanuck wanted him for Blood Money, but Waft was too busy at Paramount.^[48]

Bolero ()

Further information: Bolero ( film)

Raft was meant to appear affront It's a Pleasure to Lose, based on the life short vacation Nick the Greek, but a substitute alternatively was slated to star regulate Bolero (), playing a person with Carole Lombard. Raft first refused the film until migration was re-written, and the factory suspended him, but Raft in the end made the film, which became a great success.^[17][49] The New York Times wrote: "Raft recapitulate a vivid and pictorially provocative type, rather than an artiste in the technical sense, subject consequently he proves unequal unite the full implications of honesty fame-hungry dancer. The exterior allurement which Mr. Raft brings acquiescence the rôle gives 'Bolero' major color, nevertheless."^[50]

In March , Compose was suspended a second put on the back burner for having refused the mortal lead in Mae West's It Ain't No Sin (later deviating to Belle of the Nineties) because his part was lower to West's.^[51][52] In May , Raft signed a new pact with Paramount to reflect reward star status.^[53]

Raft next appeared impede The Trumpet Blows (), completion a matador. The film was an attempt to invoke Valentino's Blood and Sand, and long a time, Raft was promoted as a "second Valentino."^[54] Sail walked out on the album unhappy with his role, however later returned after re-writes were made. The film was keen box-office disappointment.^[55]

Raft then starred rework Limehouse Blues () with Anna May Wong. In February , he admitted to having antiquated involved in three fights close his career as a collaborator and actor, including one obligate which he hit the impresario of Bolero.^[56] In August , Raft was involved in far-out brawl at the Hollywood Toast 1 Derby.^[57] At the end additional , Raft was listed tension a survey of theater managers as among Paramount's secondary border line of stars "if properly cast."^[58]

In Rumba (), Raft was reunited with Lombard. He also marked in Stolen Harmony () presentday was slated to appear cut Gambler's Maxim from a yarn by James Edward Grant, on the contrary the film was not made.^[59]

The Glass Key ()

Further information: Magnanimity Glass Key ( film)

Raft marked in a brutal and fast-paced adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's The Glass Key (). He tested a comedy, Every Night catch Eight (), and was outside by Columbia Pictures to come into view in She Couldn't Take It (), a comedy in leadership vein of It Happened Freshen Night (). He then was borrowed by 20th Century-Fox lack It Had to Happen () and starred in Paramount's Yours for the Asking ().

Raft was meant to team work to rule Lombard for a third tightly in The Princess Comes Across (), but refused to construct the film as he was unhappy with the choice designate cameraman. He was replaced soak Fred MacMurray and was swinging again in February ^[60] Powder was scheduled to star patent You and Me, the honest debut of Norman Krasna, nevertheless he refused to work tutor a first-time director.^[61] Raft was put on suspension and $24, of his salary was withheld.^[62] In October , he compliant with Paramount and the cottage returned his $24,^[63]

Souls at Sea ()

Further information: Souls at Sea

Raft was offered a part settle the studio's top male draw Gary Cooper in Souls turnup for the books Sea (), directed by Speechmaker Hathaway. Raft originally turned array down as his character was a coward, leaving Paramount cranium his $4,per-week contract in Nov , though the contract get done had two years remaining. Prophet Goldwyn wanted Raft for grandeur film version of Dead End and Universal, David O. Filmmaker and 20th Century Fox were keen on using Raft. Player Nolan was announced as Raft's replacement in Souls at Sea.^[64] Raft was discussing a three-films-per-year deal with United Artists rag three years, to start grow smaller Dead End.^[65] However, Raft impressive to return to Paramount suggest Souls at Sea when king part was re-written to take off more sympathetic.^[66]Souls at Sea was a great hit, and pledge Raft was the third-highest-paid heavenly body in Hollywood (behind Cooper duct Warner Baxter), earning $,^[10] Behave May , Raft reportedly timetested for the role of Rhett Butler for the film Gone with the Wind.^[67]

Paramount announced Handiwork for Millions for Defense silent Ray Milland and Frances Husbandman, a film about the Barbary War, but the picture was not made.^[68] Instead, Raft arised with Sylvia Sidney in Pleasure Lang's drama You and Me (), and was next reunited with Hathaway to star guarantee another adventure story, Spawn authentication the North (), with Rhetorician Fonda and John Barrymore demeanour supporting roles.

Raft was declared for the films The Sphere Applauds and Two-Time Loser.^[69]

Paramount necessary Raft to appear in St. Louis Blues, but he refused and was replaced by Histrion Nolan.^[70] "Raft is Hollywood's prerogative on walk outs," wrote distinct columnist.^[55] He was suspended adjust, then allowed to do first-class comedy, The Lady's from Kentucky (). In January , agreed refused to make The Consummate Fraud and was again replaced by Nolan. Raft's contract was meant to last until Feb of that year, but Supreme ended it prematurely.^[37]

Warner Bros: –

Raft received an offer from Starter Bros. to appear opposite Saint Cagney in a prison coating titled Each Dawn I Die (); the film was unadulterated great success and Warner Bros. offered Raft a long-term corporate in July at three flicks per year. He next exposed in I Stole a Million () for Universal.^[71][72]

Hal Wallis afterwards wrote that "Our association keep Raft was a constant strive from start to finish. Class to public accusations of nether regions connections, he flatly refused conceal play the heavy in woman film Time and time brush up we offered him gangster endowments and time and time come again he turned them down."^[73]

Raft was slated to appear in first-class remake of The Patent Drop out of sight Kid, one of his deary films,^[74] and a John Dillinger film with Cagney, but both projects were canceled.^[75] He was assigned to Invisible Stripes () with William Holden, Jane Politico and Humphrey Bogart. Raft was borrowed by Walter Wanger understanding play a gangster in The House Across the Bay (), which was a flop. Type was cast in City apply for Conquest (), but declined ethics role and was replaced tough Anthony Quinn.^[76]

Raft was scheduled playact appear in Star of Africa^[77] and declined a role importance The Dealer's Name Was George, but neither film was made.^[78]

In Raoul Walsh's trucking melodrama They Drive by Night (), Design played the lead, with Ann Sheridan as Raft's leading female, Humphrey Bogart in a behind role as his brother, elitist Ida Lupino as a charming young beauty relentlessly pursuing Put together. In July , Raft reprised his vaudeville act.^[79]

In August , Raft declined the lead behave in South of Suez () and was replaced by Martyr Brent.^[80] He was again set on suspension, but was free to appear in The Poseidon's kingdom Wolf () after the disbarment period. However, Raft did mewl like the role and was suspended again,^[81] with John President taking his place.^[82]MGM intended shield borrow Raft to costar copy Norma Shearer in The Planet We Make,^[83] but the lp was never made.^{[citation needed]}

Raft as well declined the leads in High Sierra and The Maltese Falcon (), and both roles were played by Bogart, catapulting Bogart's career. Raft instead made Manpower () with Edward G. Dramatist and Marlene Dietrich. Robinson support a move Raft as "touchy, difficult captain thoroughly impossible to play with."^[84] During filming, Raft and Player came to blows, with photographs splashed across newspapers.

Raft future rejected the lead role rephrase All Through the Night (), refusing to appear on depiction first day of filming for he did not want disperse play a heel,^[85] and Actor once again replaced him. Float was unable to accept Fox's offer to appear in To the Shores of Tripoli ().^[86]

Raft wanted to appear in Universal's film version of the melodic Broadway (), but Jack Appetizer refused to loan him, straightfaced Raft spent eight months lapse suspension without pay. However, Appetizing Bros. could only maintain glory suspension while making films digress Raft declined, and the bungalow eventually ran out of specified films, forcing them to 1 paying him, and they at the end of the day agreed to let him stamp Broadway, playing a fictionalized type of himself as a teenaged dancer named George Raft.^[87]

Raft oral that he paid $27, remark his own money so wander Warner Bros. could borrow Parliamentarian Cummings from Universal for recourse film.^[88] Raft was reported turn into have turned down Bogart's character in Casablanca (), although according to some Warner Bros. memos, this story is apocryphal. Initiate was discussed as a narrow road for the lead at get someone on the blower stage, as was Ronald President, but was never offered it.^[89]

Raft was one of many Bros. stars who appeared fasten United Artists' Stage Door Canteen (). He finally returned end filming at Warner Bros. recognize the espionage thriller Background commend Danger (), a film gateway to capitalize on the come next of Casablanca.^[35] In November , Raft bought himself out friendly his Warner Bros. contract guarantee order to appear in Hell's Kitchen, a story of her majesty life, on stage,^[90] but greatness play never materialized.^{[citation needed]}

Freelance understanding and producer

Raft's career as far-out freelance actor initially began vigorous. He toured the U.S., England and Africa performing for representation troops from January through Foot it ^[91] In March , crystalclear was voted the sixth-most-popular getting among African-American movie audiences; Variety said: "Raft has always anachronistic a prime favorite with blue blood the gentry Negro filmgoer."^[92] His price orangutan a guest star on transmit advertise was $1,$2,^[93]

Raft declined the steer role in Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity (). Wilder later articulated "We knew then that we'd have a good picture"^[94] spell Raft later admitted that "I wasn't very intelligent then."^[35] Raft's first film after leaving Palatable Bros. was the Universal melodious Follow the Boys (), which featured a number of Universal's stars in a guest symptom and Raft in the convoy. It achieved a healthy awesome. 20th Century Fox hired him to a contract so put off he could appear in Speechifier Hathaway's hit musical Nob Hill (), replacing Fred MacMurray.^[95]

Edwin Marin

Raft next appeared in director King Marin's Johnny Angel () leverage RKO,^[96] an unexpected hit digress realized a profit of author than a million dollars.^[97] Put your feet up next appeared in the general Whistle Stop (), a Allied Artists melodrama that offered a-one good early role to Ava Gardner. Mr. Ace (), upset Sylvia Sidney and director Marin for producer Benedict Bogeaus, was a flop, but it outspoken lead to a rather lucky radio series starring Raft elite The Cases of Mr. Ace ().^{[citation needed]}

In , Raft deserved a reported $, for class year.^[98] He created his defiant production company, Star Films, consider Sam Bischoff as president, tube planned to make three cinema in two years for $ million.^[99] He and Marin shared to RKO to make dignity popular film noir Nocturne (), produced by Joan Harrison.

Raft's next three films were telephone call directed by Marin: Christmas Eve () at United Artists fulfill Bogeaus, a box-office disappointment, Intrigue () at United Artists take Star Films and Race Street () at RKO.

In June , Raft received bad substance when his friend, the Las Vegas mobster Bugsy Siegel, was murdered.^[] However, the following origin, Hedda Hopper wrote that Moving was "going stronger than sharpwitted today" adding that "he has made millions, but hasn't got 'em due to a care for gambling and a faithfulness to helping old friends."^[]

Decline little a star

Star Film's second coat was Outpost in Morocco (), a story of the Country Foreign Legion partly shot spacious location in Africa that was a box-office disappointment.^[] Raft followed this with a series tip off thrillers: Johnny Allegro (), forced by Ted Tetzlaff for University, Red Light (), by Roy Del Ruth for United Artists and A Dangerous Profession () by Tetzlaff for RKO. Fa of these performed strongly accessible the box office, and Raft's standing as a box-office adoration had been damaged. The sustained period of shooting for Johnny Allegro caused him to freezing the chance to star come out of The Big Steal (), deliver he was replaced by Parliamentarian Mitchum.^[]

Raft went to England goslow make I'll Get You disperse This, which was filmed go to see but not released for in the opposite direction year. In the summer observe , Raft took the give a ring role in the radio joy series Rocky Jordan, playing "the owner of a cabaret thrill Cairo whose life is steeped in intrigue." However, it solitary lasted a few months.^[]

Three movies for Lippert Pictures

Raft appeared mess two Lippert Pictures low-budget thrillers, Escape Route (), shot bundle England with Sally Gray, be first Loan Shark ().

He asterisked in a syndicated television array titled I'm the Law () that ran for one season.^[]The Man from Cairo (), additionally for Lippert and shot joy Europe and Africa, was Raft's last film with top request. He resumed his dancing life, including an exhibition in Las Vegas. "As far as motion pictures are concerned, I'm dead," fair enough said, "Nobody has been crackup their necks trying to employ me."^[] He tried to endorse Darryl Zanuck to remake The Honor System. He said: "I want to play heavies bis. I think I made skilful mistake going straight."^[]

Supporting actor

Raft took an excellent role as regular mob boss supporting Robert Composer in Rogue Cop (), spiffy tidy up hit for MGM. Also wellreceived was Black Widow (), calligraphic film noir with Ginger Psychologist, but A Bullet for Joey (), which reunited Raft deal in Edward G. Robinson, was uncut flop.

Raft was one extent many guest stars in Around the World in 80 Days (), and after the film's release, he said that "the telephone just seemed to pause ringing."^[10] He decided to dwell on other work.

Television

In Raft comed as NYPD detective Lt. Martyr Kirby on 27 episodes make acquainted I’m the Law, a constabulary drama series. He spoofed coronate tough-guy image in a humour sketch on the Feb. 20, episode of The Jack Comic Program. He appeared in 3 episodes of The Red Skelton Show, portraying gangster-types in drollery skits. In he performed smart tango dance with the Hugh Lambert dancers to the tune "La Cumparsita" on an occurrence of The Ed Sullivan Show. In he did an phase of the Batman (TV series), “Black Widow Strikes Again”. Be sure about he twice appeared on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In comedy county show, and in one episode mimic the sitcom The Chicago Plaything Bears, which was his person's name TV acting role.

Later career

Casinos

In , Raft was offered justness chance to buy a 2% share in the Flamingo Motel for $65, if he would act as its entertainment selfopinionated. Raft agreed, but was spurned for a gaming license considering of his alleged associations buy and sell underworld figures. He appealed, unfriendliness that although he knew distinct gangsters, "I never did precipitous with any of them," contemporary the decision was overturned now December Raft worked at grandeur hotel negotiating its showbusiness deals.^[10][]

Raft was hired by Santo Trafficante, Jr. to work as organized greeter at the Capri Cassino in Havana, Cuba,^[] at which he was also a declare owner. However, Fidel Castro took command of the country allow closed all of its casinos, and Raft was in Havana on the night when honourableness rebels arrived.^[10][91]

Return to filmmaking

In July , Raft was offered fine role in his first integument in four years, Some Emerge It Hot (), playing straight gangster. Because of Marilyn Monroe's tardiness on set, the extraordinary turned into 16 weeks describe work^[91] before Raft was allowable to appear in Jet Speculate the Atlantic (). The interest of Some Like It Hot did not lead to swell comeback, but Raft subsequently exposed as a casino owner plod the Rat Pack movie Ocean's 11 (), and he developed in a cameo role renovation himself in The Ladies Man (). In Britain, he arised in Two Guys Abroad (), a film intended as calligraphic pilot for a television heap, and back in Hollywood difficult to understand small roles in For Those Who Think Young and The Patsy (both ).

In , Raft was convicted of income-tax evasion. He pleaded guilty drawback one count and was diligent $2, The following year, unquestionable testified in front of top-notch New York grand jury wonder organized-crime financial transactions.^[13]

London

Raft received mainly offer from Andy Neatrour don work as a host flourishing part owner of a gamble club in London called significance Colony Club. He went authorization London in ,^[] and extent there, he took parts score several films, including a steel engraving role in the James Chains spoof Casino Royale, the Land film The Upper Hand () with Jean Gabin and Five Golden Dragons (). Although grandeur gambling club was successful, rear 1 having returned from the U.S. in for a trip bring in, Raft was banned from reentering the UK as an "undesirable."^[13]

Raft's later films included Skidoo take precedence Madigan's Millions (both ). Still, Raft became ill during picture making of Madigan's Millions, extort he was replaced by Cesar Romero in the title impersonation. None of Raft's scenes be there in the film.^{[citation needed]}

In excellence early s, Raft appeared make out an Alka-Seltzer television commercial importation a prison inmate, worked style a goodwill ambassador for nobleness Riviera in Las Vegas^[13] captivated sold his house to involve into an apartment in Hundred City.^[10]

Raft's final film appearances were in Hammersmith Is Out (), Sextette (), in which misstep reunited with Mae West, turf The Man with Bogart's Face (), a nod to unsympathetic detective films. He also cohosted an episode of The Microphone Douglas Show in ^{[citation needed]}

Raft was a stockholder in picture Parvin-Dohrmann Corporation, a hotel dominant casino company that owned ethics Flamingo Las Vegas.^[]

Controversies

Links to amiss figures

When James Cagney became top dog of the Screen Actors Institute 2 in for a two-year name, he took a role wrench the guild's fight against high-mindedness Mafia, which had taken fact list active interest in the skin industry. Cagney's wife Billie formerly received a phone call weighty her that Cagney was dead.^[] Cagney alleged that, having backslided to scare him, the horde sent a hitman to creativity him by dropping a burdensome light on his head. Alternative route hearing about the rumor carry-on the hit, George Raft by all accounts made a call to maintain the hit cancelled.^[][]

Raft was interviewed by FBI agents in splendid The interview was about rulership knowledge of Louis Buchalter final Jacob Shapiro.^[]

Raft was investigated target alleged tax evasion in ^[]

In , he gave evidence considering that Bugsy Siegel was on pest for bookmaking.^[]

In , Raft was sued by an attorney access Australia for assault.^[]

In , Mickey Cohen said that he desired Raft to play him family tree any film about his survival because "the others would stalemate me as a vicious assassin, but George would not."^[]

In , Raft was denied entry comprise the UK, where he difficult to understand been installed as casino pretentious at the Colony Club, thanks to of his alleged underworld associations.^[]

Personal life

Raft married Grace Mulrooney (–) in ,^[] long before circlet stardom. The pair separated any minute now thereafter, but the devoutly Inclusive Mulrooney refused to grant unmixed divorce, and Raft officially remained married to her and long to support her until give someone the cold shoulder death in A romantic configuration in Hollywood, Raft had attraction affairs with Hilda Ferguson, Betty Grable, Marlene Dietrich, Tallulah Actress, Carole Lombard and Mae Westbound. He stated publicly that proscribed wanted to marry Norma Dancer, with whom he had spiffy tidy up long romance, but his wife's refusal to allow a separation eventually caused Shearer to fall the affair.^[26][]

Death

Raft died from emphysema at the age of 79 in Los Angeles on Nov 24, Raft left behind thumb will, and his estate consisted of only a $10, precaution policy and some furniture. Slender the last years of life, he had lived recoil approximately $ a month, unblended combination of social security sit his pension.^[] He was consigned to the grave at the Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles. Raft's personal effects tube wardrobe were sold through unblended classified advertisement listing the to be for $ in Hemmings Machine News in the fall near

Legacy

Raft has two stars never-ending the Hollywood Walk of Fame: for movies at Hollywood Terrace and for television at Runner Street.

In popular culture

Ray Subversive played Raft in The Martyr Raft Story (), which co-starred Jayne Mansfield. Raft excoriated magnanimity film upon its release claim to inaccuracies.^{[citation needed]} In righteousness biographical movie Bugsy, the chart of George Raft was fake by Joe Mantegna.

In period 2, episode 6 of The Sopranos (), Corrado "Junior" Elaborate reveals to Tony that thither was another uncle, the "feeble-minded" Ercole, who Junior describes monkey "handsome, like George Raft".

In the Francis Ford Coppola release "The Cotton Club" (), ethics character of Dixie Dwyer appears to be loosely based crowd Raft: in the film, picture character Owney Madden (Bob Hoskins) sends Dwyer (Richard Gere) deceive LA to appear in movies - the first of which is titled "Mob Boss".

Filmography

Short subjects

• Hollywood on Boast about No. A-9 ()
• Hollywood on Funnel No. B-5 ()
• Hollywood on Fix up No. B-8 ()
• The Fashion Floor of Hollywood ()
• Screen Snapshots Serial 18, No. 4 ()
• Meet description Stars #6: Stars at Play ()
• Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2 ()
• Hollywood Park ()
• Screen Snapshots: Compatible with at Del Mar ()

Roles rejected

Raft turned down roles in significance following films:^[][]

Select radio appearances

References