Ty Hardin was an American actor who is best known for Bronco, Merrill’s Marauders, and PT 109.
Personal and Family Life
Ty Hardin, born Orison Whipple Hungerford Jr., was born on January 1, 1930, in Manhattan, New York City. He married and divorced multiple times, having a total of six wives and five children. His last marriage was to Caroline Pampu in 2007, and they remained together until his death in 2017.
Career
After growing up in Texas and serving in the Korean War, Ty began his acting career with minor roles in B movies before landing his own television series, Bronco, which aired from 1958 to 1962. He featured in several films during the 1960s, such as Merrill’s Marauders and Battle of the Bulge, often playing roles that highlighted his physical appeal. Later in life, he worked as an evangelistic preacher after his film career declined.
Death and Legacy
Ty Hardin passed away on August 3, 2017, in Huntington Beach, California, due to natural causes. Although he was sometimes seen as merely a ‘beefcake’ actor, he showcased his comedic talent and dramatic skills in various roles, leaving a lasting impression in the film and television industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Born Killer | 1989-11-12 | Sheriff Stone |
| PT 109 | 1963-06-26 | Ensign Leonard J. Thom |
| Battle of the Bulge | 1965-12-16 | Schumacher |
| Merrill’s Marauders | 1962-03-16 | 2nd Lt. Lee Stockton |
| Last Train from Gun Hill | 1959-07-29 | Cowboy Loafer |
| Berserk! | 1967-11-01 | Frank Hawkins |
| Palm Springs Weekend | 1963-11-05 | Doug ‘Stretch’ Fortune |
| Custer of the West | 1967-11-09 | Maj. Marcus Reno |
| Fire! | 1977-05-08 | Walt Fleming |
| Il giorno del giudizio | 1971-09-09 | The Stranger |
| Savage Pampas | 1966-07-07 | Miguel Carreras |
| Rescue Me | 1993-12-03 | Sheriff Fred Gilbert |