Mike Ragan

Mike Ragan was an American actor best known for his roles in various western films and television shows. Born Hollis Alan Bane on February 18, 1918, in Los Angeles, California, he made a significant impact in the entertainment industry both as an actor and a makeup artist.

Personal and Family Life

Mike Ragan was married four times. His first marriage was to Marjorie Louise Wilcox in 1941, which ended in divorce in 1943. He had a son with his second wife, Jean Catherine Miner, whom he married in 1944 and divorced in 1948. He later married Ruth Rita Stanford in 1953, but that relationship also ended with her passing in 1962. His final marriage to Dorothy Ford lasted from 1965 until his death in 1995.

Career

Initially aspiring to be a big-band musician, Ragan shifted his focus to acting and worked his way up from an office boy to a makeup artist at MGM. He started acting in small roles after returning from military service in World War II. Ragan frequently played tough characters, such as gunfighters, in many western films during the 1950s. As the popularity of westerns declined, he returned to makeup and worked on notable TV shows like “Welcome Back, Kotter” and “Barney Miller.”

Death and Legacy

Mike Ragan passed away on August 25, 1995, in Los Angeles due to complications from emphysema. His contributions to both acting and makeup artistry left a lasting impact on the industry. Ragan’s background in makeup helped shape his on-screen work, and he remains memorable for his roles in classic westerns.

Filmography