Broderick Crawford: News Report of His Death - April 26, 1986

Popular 1950's actor, Broderick Crawford, has died. He was 74 years old.
William Broderick Crawford (December 9, 1911 - April 26, 1986) was an American stage, film, radio, and television actor, often cast in tough-guy roles and best known for his Oscar- and Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Willie Stark in All the King's Men (1949) and for his starring role as Dan Mathews in the television series Highway Patrol (1955-1959).
Until filming All the King's Men, Crawford's career had been largely limited to "B films" in supporting or character roles. He realized he did not fit the role of a handsome leading man, once describing himself as looking like a "retired pugilist".

[@moncorp1]

On Highway Patrol they'd have to get all his speaking scenes in by noon. Otherwise he'd be too drunk. Was once hammered during filming the show and broke his ankle in a scene stepping out of a helicopter. Can be seen wearing an ankle cast in a few other episodes.

[@joedicesare6295]

Highway Patrol stars Broderick Crawford as Dan Mathews, the gruff and dedicated head of a police force in an unidentified Western state. Mathews had "no particular title - just the boss," Crawford said.

[@almostasgoodastheoriginals7856]

I remember Broderick Crawford and "Highway.Patrol" great series.

[@privateprivate1865]

@@almostasgoodastheoriginals7856 i only discovered highway patrol from KZbin a few months ago ... I wasnt born until 76, so i never knew it existed.. But i love pre early 60s black and white tv shows. I escaped the madness of today through the magic of classic tv and film. I watch a few shows from my childhood.. and found out Brodrick Crawford was in a short scene in an episode of Chips. I gre up as a child in southern California.. so i enjoy watching street scenes of my childhood. I often say o wish i wern born a child of the 30s/50s.. but i imagine id be even more depressed to have seen how much this place went to the dumb since then. Must have been paradise. 😢.. George carlin said it used to be paradise.. and that is just a shopping mall now, and that its going to be nothing more than a big steaming pile of sh@t. Thanks for hearing my words random stranger ☮️

[@retrodave3819]

LT. Dan Mathews, not Capt.

[@daveb970]

Sgt. Dan Matthews, Det. Lt. Highway Patrol. LOL