Hal Baylor was an American actor best known for his roles in Big Jim McLain, Evel Knievel, and Emergency!. He was born on December 10, 1918, in San Antonio, Texas, and passed away on January 5, 1998, in Los Angeles, California.
Personal and Family Life
Hal Baylor’s birth name was Hal Brittan. He was notable in his family lineage as his great-great grandfather was the founder of Baylor University. Before his acting career, he served as a combat veteran in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, fighting in the battles of Saipan and Tinian.
Career
After the war, Hal pursued a career in professional boxing starting in 1947, where he achieved an impressive amateur record of 52-5 and a professional record of 16-8-3. He became a recognizable figure in film, appearing in memorable movies such as Sands of Iwo Jima where a notable scene featured him learning to march under John Wayne’s character.
Death and Legacy
Hal Baylor died on January 5, 1998. He is remembered not just for his acting roles, but also for his contributions to boxing and the military, leaving a legacy rooted in courage and talent.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| A Boy and His Dog | 1975-03-23 | Michael |
| Island in the Sky | 1953-09-05 | Stankowski, Dooley’s engineer |
| Big Jim McLain | 1952-08-30 | Poke |
| Dial 1119 | 1950-11-03 | Whitey Tallman |
| The Crooked Way | 1949-04-22 | Coke (as Hal Fieberling) |
| Tobor the Great | 1954-09-01 | Max (Spy Henchman) |
| The Set-Up | 1949-03-29 | Tiger Nelson |
| Evel Knievel | 1971-09-10 | The Sheriff |
| Sands of Iwo Jima | 1950-01-01 | Pvt. J.E. ‘Ski’ Choynski |
| The Young Lions | 1958-04-02 | Pvt. Burnecker |