Who was Aldo Ray? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Aldo Da Re

Died At Age: 64

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Jeff Donnell (m. 1954 - div. 1956), Johanna Ray (m. 1960 - div. 1967), Shirley Green (m. 1947 - div. 1953)

father: Silvio Da Re

mother: Maria Da Re

children: Claire DaRe, Eric DaRe, Paul DaRe

Actors American Men

Height: 6'0" (183 cm), 6'0" Males

Died on: March 27, 1991

place of death: Martinez, California, United States

U.S. State: Pennsylvania

Cause of Death: Throat Cancer

Ancestry: Italian American

: Pneumonia

More Facts

education: University Of California, Berkeley

Recommended For You

1

What are some popular movies starring Aldo Ray?

Some popular movies starring Aldo Ray include "Battle Cry," "The Marrying Kind," "Men in War," "God's Little Acre," and "The Green Berets."
2

Did Aldo Ray serve in the military?

Yes, Aldo Ray served in the United States Navy during World War II.
3

What was Aldo Ray known for in his acting career?

Aldo Ray was known for his tough guy persona and rugged, macho roles in a variety of films, often portraying military men or law enforcement officers.
4

Did Aldo Ray have any notable collaborations with famous directors?

Yes, Aldo Ray worked with acclaimed directors such as Otto Preminger, Raoul Walsh, and Howard Hawks during his career.
5

Where was Aldo Ray born and raised?

Aldo Ray was born and raised in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania.

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Childhood & Early Life

Aldo Ray was born Aldo Da Re, on September 25, 1926, in Northampton County in Pennsylvania, US, into a big Italian family. He grew up with five brothers and one sister.

When Aldo was 4 years old, the family moved to Crockett, California, where his father started working at a sugar refinery. Aldo was a strong child and excelled in sports while growing up. He enrolled at the ‘John Swett High School,’ where he was part of the school’s football team. He was also an excellent swimmer and taught swimming to younger kids.

In 1944, when Aldo was 18 years old, he enrolled into the ‘United States Navy’ to fight for his country in the Second World War. He served in the navy as a frogman until the war ended. He left the navy in 1946 and moved back to Crockett, where he resumed his education.

He joined ‘Vallejo Junior College’ and played football for his college team. By then, he had also developed a keen interest in politics and wanted to become a politician. In his own words, he defined himself as a “right winger” and an “arch conservative.” He also studied political science at the ‘University of California, Berkeley.’

He dropped out of college to become a constable, but that did not work out for him. His younger brother, Mario, was an aspiring actor, and Aldo’s foray into acting was a pleasant accident that involved Mario.

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Career

In mid-1950, the ‘Columbia Studios’ film ‘Saturday’s Hero’ required an athlete to be included in its cast. Mario, Aldo’s younger brother, decided to audition for the role. Aldo drove his bother to the audition. In a weird turn of events, the director of the film, David Miller, liked Aldo more, due to his voice. Aldo also had an experience in public speaking, making him more suited to the role.

Aldo was signed on a contract and was sent to Los Angeles for screen testing. He ended up playing a small role of a cynical college football player in the film ‘Saturday’s Hero.’ He shared the screen with actors such as Donna Reed and John Derek.

Around the same time, at the age of 23, Aldo was elected as a constable. He decided to work as a constable and refused to work in Hollywood. ‘Columbia Pictures’ had signed a 7-year contract with Aldo and thus refused to release him from the contract. They, however, allowed him a leave of absence to work as a constable.

He got bored with his monotonous life as a constable and contacted ‘Columbia’ again and expressed his desire to work in films. He was invited to audition for the film ‘The Marrying Kind.’ In the comedy–drama film, where he initially auditioned for a small role, Aldo ended up getting the lead role. The film was a success, and Aldo received his career breakthrough.

In 1952, Aldo appeared in the lead role of ‘Davie Hucko’ in the film ‘Pat and Mike.’ The film was a critical and commercial success.

In 1953, Aldo appeared as the leading man in two films: ‘Let’s Do It Again’ and ‘Miss Sadie Thompson.’

In 1955, Aldo delivered one of the biggest hits of his acting career. He played the role of ‘Andy Hookens,’ a tough solder, in the film ‘Battle Cry.’ Although the film was a big hit and also became one of Aldo’s best-known films, it made people typecast him as a tough redneck.

Aldo also appeared in many TV series in the 1950s and the 1960s, such as ‘Frontier Circus,’ ‘Lux Video Theatre,’ ‘Daniel Boone,’ and ‘Ben Casey.’

However, in the early 1960s, Aldo’s career went downhill. He stopped getting main roles and resorted to doing small/supporting roles in films. One of his best-known films from the 1960s was the 1968 release ‘The Green Berets.’

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His alcohol addiction made him lose his charm and resulted in him getting fewer roles as the 1970s began. At one point in 1976, he was totally broke. He somehow managed his career and made enough money to survive.

In 1984, he was the original choice for a key role in David Lynch’s ‘Dune.’ However, he was rejected owing to his alcohol issues, and the role went to Patrick Stewart.

Family & Personal Life

Aldo Ray married thrice in his life. He was initially married to Shirley Green. He then married Jeff Donnell. His last marriage was to Johanna Ray. None of his marriages lasted more than a few years. He had four children from his three marriages. One of his children, Eric Da Re, became an actor later.

Aldo was a chain smoker and an alcoholic all his life. He developed throat cancer in 1989. He passed away on March 27, 1991, at the age of 64.

Facts About Aldo Ray

Aldo Ray was known for his deep, gravelly voice which added a unique charm to his on-screen performances.

Navy during World War II, showcasing his bravery and patriotism.

Aldo Ray was a talented athlete in his youth, excelling in baseball and football before pursuing a career in acting.

Despite his tough guy image on screen, Aldo Ray was known to have a great sense of humor and was beloved by his co-stars for his friendly and approachable nature.

Aldo Ray had a passion for cooking and was known to whip up delicious meals for his friends and family, showcasing his talents beyond the realm of acting.

Aldo Ray Biography

You wanted to know

What are some popular movies starring Aldo Ray?

Did Aldo Ray serve in the military?

What was Aldo Ray known for in his acting career?

Did Aldo Ray have any notable collaborations with famous directors?

Where was Aldo Ray born and raised?