This website's intention is to bring attention to the TRUE Roddy McDowall. Who he really was, both as a person, an actor and an artist.
Since his death in 1998, Roddy's image has been twisted and masked by society's agendas, and the roles he is most famous for playing; causing the real Roddy to get lost in translation sometime during the shuffle.
I want to change that, and with the help of my friend Julie Carriker; and my sister Mary, I hope to be able to achieve that end.
This website will not be meant for the usual gossip and flat out untruths about Roddy's personal life like some of the others; but is and will remain a place for people who want to get to know the real Roddy McDowall for who he truly was.
I hope that Roddy will be pleased with our efforts to see that the world remembers him properly from now on.
Biography:
Roderick Andrew Anthony Jude McDowall was born in London to Thomas McDowall and his wife Winnifred Corcoran on September 17, 1928.
Roddy's mother was a very ambitious woman who had always dreamed of becoming an actress, but was never able to achieve her goals.
As a young child his mother encouraged Roddy and his older sister Virginia to become interested in music and play acting, and by 1938, Roddy had his first film role in Britain.
When a German bomb fell through the roof of their home at the beginning of the second world war, Roddy's Father felt his family would be safer in America, and In September of 1940, Roddy, and his mother and sister left England for safer shores; while Thomas remained behind to fight for Great Britain. Now living with a friend of Winnifred's in New York, Roddy was assigned to a New York Agent who referred him to 20th Century Fox in Hollywood.
In 1941, Roddy received his first part in an American film; playing a leading role as Vaner, in "Man Hunt". Later that year, Roddy played Huw, in "How Green was my Valley." This film put Roddy on the Hollywood stardom map.
(Roddy with Maureen O'Hara, in "How Green Was My Valley".
This was the beginning of a friendship that lasted 57 years!)
This was the beginning of a friendship that lasted 57 years!)
For the next 7 years he worked endlessly in film after film, often finding himself working on several films at one time.
His popularity continued to skyrocket and by 1947, Roddy was a house hold name in Hollywood; But once he hit 17, the studio told him he should expect to never work again, as he was now an adult and was no longer wanted.
But Roddy refused to accept this and began working in stage productions, taking every part he could get his hands on, thirsty for work; only to find himself floundering.
(Eighteen year old Roddy in the film "Rocky", 1948.)
Finally in 1951; frustrated by his Mother's overbearing nature and consistent attempts to control every aspect of his life, as well as his difficulty getting work in films, 22 year old Roddy moved to New York and spent several years studying acting and working in stage productions; learning to hone his craft.
(Roddy with Andy Griffith in the stage production of "No Time for Sergeants".)
(Roddy with Dean Stockwell in the stage production of "Compulsion".)
By the 1960s success found Roddy once again and his career took off; eventually landing him in the highly successful cult franchise of "Planet of the Apes".
But Roddy was concerned for himself in that he only had acting as a career, and soon found that he had a passionate interest in photography. His talent and facility for it soon opened the doors for his second (and also highly successful) career as a professional photographer.
(Roddy with his camera, behind the scenes of Planet of the Apes.)
He worked consistently from then on into the 1990's, which brought even more variations to his career; including voice over work in children's cartoons. From 1995 to 1998, Roddy largely worked on various interviews for several episodes of A&E's BIOGRAPHY series; giving background on fellow actors he had both worked with and befriended.
But the beautiful spirit was not to be among us for much longer.
In April of 1997, Roddy was diagnosed with Terminal Lung Cancer. When the news of his illness spread his innumerable and close friends to flew to his side, to provide their love and support. Foremost among them, was his best friend Elizabeth Taylor; who reportedly would remain with him for days on end, holding him in her arms and never letting go.
(Roddy with Elizabeth in the early 1980's)
(Roddy with Elizabeth in the 1990's.)
On October 3rd, 1998 Roddy died at the age of 70.
By his wishes; he was cremated, and his ashes were spread in the Pacific Ocean.
Roddy left behind a legacy not only of film, photography, music and stage work, but also one of deep love and memories of the strong bond he had with everyone he had befriended, and to this day; those friends who still survive him still have nothing but warm and loving memories of the man who never made a single enemy in his entire life.
His kindness shone so evidently in his eyes and that spellbinding smile, that disarmed any and everyone who ever crossed his path, or saw his work on television or the big screen.
Roddy McDowall was not only immensely talented, but he had the most beautiful soul that this world has ever known. He has been and will remain to be both in present and future, loved by all who know his name.
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