Ross Martin was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Wild Wild West, The Great Race, and Mr. Lucky.
Personal and Family Life
Born Martin Rosenblatt on March 22, 1920, in Gródek, Poland, Ross Martin grew up in New York City. He was multilingual, speaking Yiddish, Polish, and Russian as a child, before learning English and later French, Spanish, and Italian. He was married twice; first to Muriel B. Weiss, with whom he had three children, and then to Olavee Lucile Parsons until his death in 1981.
Career
Although Ross Martin received honors in various academic fields, he chose to pursue acting. He made his film debut in Conquest of Space (1955) and gained fame for his role as Artemus Gordon in the television series The Wild Wild West. His versatile acting skills and ability to perform multiple accents made him a unique talent in Hollywood. Martin faced challenges in his career after a serious heart attack in 1968 limited his opportunities for leading roles.
Death and Legacy
Ross Martin passed away from a heart attack on July 3, 1981, in Ramona, California. He left behind a legacy of diverse characters and memorable performances in both film and television. His contributions to the entertainment industry and his ability to speak multiple languages remain a hallmark of his career.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Great Race | 1965-07-01 | Rolfe Von Stuppe |
| The Crooked Hearts | 1972-11-08 | Serg. Daniel Shine |
| Conquest of Space | 1955-04-20 | Andre Fodor |
| Geronimo | 1962-04-27 | Mangus |
| The Wild Wild West | 1965-09-17 | Artemus Gordon |
| Mr. Lucky | 1959-10-24 | Andamo |
| Night Gallery | 1970-12-16 | Bradley Meredith |
| Gunsmoke | 1955-09-10 | Dan Clell |