Jeff Chandler Biography
Jeff Chandler was an American actor, singer, and film producer. Best known for his portrayal of Cochise in the 1950 western film, Broken Arrow. Notably, for which he was nominated for an Oscar. Undoubtedly, he was one of Universal Pictures’ most famous male stars of the 1950s. Jeff also appeared in the films Sword in the Desert, Deported, Female on the Beach and A Story of David.
He was born Ira Grossel in a Jewish family, Chandler was raised by his mother after his parents separated. Jeff acted in plays while studying at Erasmus Hall High School. Following a drama course at Feagin School of Dramatic Art, he briefly worked in radio and then went on to serve in a stock company as a stage manager and actor.
Additional to his acting, Chandler was also known for his musical recordings. He had a number of affairs, on a personal note, before, during, and after his marriage to Marjorie Hoshelle, with whom he fathered two children.
10 Quick Facts About Jeff Chandler
- Name: Jeff Chandler
- Age: 42 years
- Birthday: December 15
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Height: 6 feet 3 inches
- Nationality: American
- Occupation: Actor, Film Producer, and Singer
- Marital Status: Deceased
- Salary: Under Review
- Net worth: $9 Million
Jeff Chandler Height
Jeff Chandler stood at a height of 6 feet and 3 inches(1.93 m or 193 cm).
Jeff Chandler Education
Jeff Chandler was born as Ira Grossel on December 15, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York, USA, to Phillip Grossel and Anna. His parents separated when he was a child. He studied at Erasmus Hall High School where one of his schoolmates was Susan Hayward.
Jeff worked as a restaurant cashier and studied art for a year. He then took up a job as a layout ar 55555555tist at $18 a week to save enough money to take a drama course. Chandler eventually attended the Feagin School of Dramatic Art. He initially worked on the radio and then got employment in a stock agency as a stage manager and actor.
Jeff Chandler Wife
Jeff Chandler married Marjorie Rochelle, an actress, in 1946. They had two daughters, Jamie Tucker, and Dana Grosse. Jeff got involved with actress Esther Williams in 1957, causing his wife to divorce him. The divorce was granted in 1959. Further, the actor also had affairs with actresses Gloria De Haven and Ann Sheridan.
Jeff Chandler and Esther Williams
Esther Jane Williams was born on August 8, 1921, and died on June 6, 2013. She was an American competitive swimmer and actress. Williams set multiple national and regional swimming records in her late teens as part of the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team.
She died in her sleep on June 6, 2013, from natural causes, in her Los Angeles home. She was 91 years old. She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. Of her death CNN quoted her International Swimming Hall of Fame biography, saying, “Her movie career played a major role in the promotion of swimming, making it attractive to the public, contributing to the growth of the sport as a public recreation for health, exercise, water safety — and just plain fun.”
Her stepson Lorenzo Lamas tweeted she was “The best swim teacher and soul mom.”Her friend Annabeth Gish also tweeted a tribute, writing that Esther Williams was “An elegant, gracious movie star, legend and neighbor”.[99] Film historian Leonard Maltin called her “a major, major star, a tremendous box office attraction.”
Jeff Chandler Daughters and Grandchildren
Jeff Chandler had a daughter known as Dana Grossel alongside his wife Marjorie Hoshelle. Dana Grossel was born in 1949 and died in 2002. Also, the couple had another daughter called Jamie Tucker who was born in 1947 and died in 2003. Daughter, Dana Chandler Grossel (Grossel was her father’s real last name), gave him two grandsons. His other daughter, Jamie Tucker, gave him granddaughter Jana Fourtune.
Jeff Chandler Net Worth
Jeff Chandler had an estimated net worth of $9 Million dollars by the time of his death. He accumulated his wealth from his successful career as an actor, singer, and film producer. An investigation ensued into Chandler’s death. It was deemed malpractice and resulted in his children suing the hospital for $1.5 million.
Chandler’s own estate was worth $600,000, which he left to his daughters. His ex-wife sued his estate for $80,000 for money owed under their divorce settlement. For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Chandler has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1770 Vine Street.
Jeff Chandler Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Jeff Chandler.
Jeff Chandler Wiki
- Full Names: Jeff Chandler
- Popular As: American Actor
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Actor, singer, and film producer
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Jeff Chandler Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 42 years (dead)
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Date of Birth: December 15, 1918 in Brooklyn, New York, United States
- Date of death: June 17, 1961, Culver City, California, United States
- Birthday: December 15
Jeff Chandler Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 6 feet and 3 inches(1.93 m or 193 cm)
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: Not Available
- Hair Color: Not Available
- Shoe Size: Not Available
- Dress Size: Not Available
Jeff Chandler Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Phillip Grossel
- Mother: Anna Grossel
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not Known
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife/Spouse: Married to Marjorie Hoshelle
- Children: Daughter(s) (Jamie Tucker, and Dana Grosse) Sons (Not Known)
Jeff Chandler Net worth and Salary
- Net Worth: $9 million
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Acting
Jeff Chandler Death and Cause
Jeff Chandler While working on Merrill’s Marauders in the Philippines, on April 15, 1961, he injured his back while playing baseball with U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers who worked as extras in the film. He had injections to deaden the pain and enable him to finish the production.
He entered a hospital in Culver City, California on May 13, 1961, and had surgery for a spinal disc herniation. There were severe complications; an artery was damaged, and Chandler hemorrhaged. In a seven-and-a-half-hour emergency operation over-and-above the original surgery, he was given 55 pints of blood on May 17. A third operation followed, on May 27, where he received an additional 20 pints of blood. Jeff Chandler died on June 17, 1961. The cause was a blood infection complicated by pneumonia.
At the time of his death, Chandler was involved with British actress Barbara Shelley. Tony Curtis and Gerald Mohr were among the pallbearers at Chandler’s funeral, attended by more than 1,500 people. He was buried at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City. An investigation ensued into Chandler’s death. It was deemed malpractice and resulted in his children suing the hospital for $1.5 million.
Chandler’s own estate was worth $600,000, which he left to his daughters. His ex-wife sued his estate for $80,000 for money owed under their divorce settlement. For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Chandler has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1770 Vine Street.
Jeff Chandler Shady Lane Playhouse
Jeff Chandler launched his own company called the Shady Lane Playhouse in 1941. Noteworthy, the company enjoyed some success with plays including The Bad Man and Seventh Heaven. Chandler enlisted in the army during World War II. He served for four years, finishing with the rank of lieutenant.
Jeff Chandler Actor and Career
Chandler got his first job as a radio actor in May 1946. Jeff received much fame for appearing as the lead in the radio series, Michael Shayne. In addition, he then became the first actor to play Chad Remington in the radio adventure drama, Frontier Town. Interestingly, his first film role was a one-line role as a criminal in Johnny O’Clock. It was released in 1947.
Jeff then went on to play a minor role as a policeman in the comedy film Mr. Belvedere Goes to College. He also played gangsters in The Invisible Wall and Roses are Red. Jeff garnered more attention with the role of Eve Arden’s boyfriend in the radio show, Our Miss Brooks. It debuted on radio in 1948 and became a massive hit.
Jeff Chandler Universal Studio Career
Jeff Chandler was cast as an Israeli leader in Universal studio’s Sword in the Desert. This was the first American movie based on the first phase of the Civil War in Mandatory Palestine. Jeff featured in the noir adventure Smuggler’s Island (1948) as an adventurer. A role he liked as it was close to his personality.
He played a Polynesian leader in Bird of Paradise and a boxer in Iron Man in 1951. Jeff then made a war movie titled Red Ball Express. Chandler then signed a new contract with Universal in 1952. He then appeared in a western titled The Great Sioux Uprising. Then, he went on to work in the adventure flicks War Arrow and East of Sumatra. Thereafter, Jeff made the crime drama film Female on the Beach and began releasing musical records.
Jeff Chandler Broken Arrow
Jeff Chandler played Cochise in Delmer Daves’ western Broken Arrow. It turned out to be a hit, earning the actor an Oscar nomination. Ultimately, establishing him as a star.
Jeff Chandler Movies
- Broken Arrow 1950
- Foxfire 1955
- War Arrow 1953
- The Battle at Apache Pass 1952
- Female on the Beach 1955
- Man in the Shadow 1957
- Merrill’s Marauders 1962
- The Plunderers 1960
- Away All Boats 1956
- Thunder in the Sun 1959
- PIllars of the Sky 1956
- The Spoilers 1955
- The Jayhawkers! 1959
- Taza, Son of Cochise 1954
- Yankee Pasha 1954
- Sign of the Pagan 1954
- East of Sumatra 1953
- Ten Seconds to Hell 1959
- The Tattered Dress 1957
- The Great Sioux Uprising 1953
- Two Flags West 1950
- Yankee Buccaneer 1952
- The Lady Takes a Flyer 1958
- Jeanne Eagels 1957
- Flame of Araby 1951
- Return to Peyton Place 1961
- Raw Wind in Eden 1958
- Bird of Paradise 1951
- Stranger in My Arms 1959
- Red Ball Express 1952
- Deported 1950
- Iron Man 1951
- Drango 1957
- Sword in the Desert 1949
- Johnny O’Clock 1947
- The Toy Tiger 1956
- Because of You 1952
- A Story of David 1961
- Smuggler’s Island 1951
- Six Bridges to Cross 1955
- Roses Are Red 1947
- Abandoned 1949
- The Invisible Wall 1947
- Thrill of a Romance 1945
- Belvedere Goes to College 1949
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeff Chandler
Who is Jeff Chandler?
Jeff Chandler born on December 15, 1918, in Brooklyn New York is an American actor, singer, and film producer. Best known for his portrayal of Cochise in the 1950 western film, Broken Arrow
How old was Jeff Chandler?
Jeff Chandler was born on June 17, 1918, and at the time of his death in 1961, he was aged 42 years.
How did Jeff Chandler die?
Jeff Chandler injured his back during a baseball match with the soldiers of the U.S. Army Special Forces. This was while shooting for Merrill’s Marauders in April 1961. The soldiers served as extras in the movie.
As a result, the following month, he had surgery for a spinal disc herniation. Unfortunately, he suffered severe complications, eventually dying.
Was Jeff Chandler married?
Jeff Chandler married Marjorie Rochelle, an actress, in 1946. They had two daughters, Jamie Tucker, and Dana Grosse.
Is Jeff Chandler dead or alive?
Jeff Chandler died on June 17, 1961, due to a blood infection.
Where is Jeff Chandler Now?
Jeff Chandler is buried in Culver City California at the Hilside Memorial Park Cemetary.
Jeff Chandler Contacts
- Youtube
- Tiktok
- Website
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