Richard Clayton (actor)

This article is about the American actor and talent agent. For 17th century academic, see Richard Clayton (academic).

Richard Clayton (June 12, 1915 – September 29, 2008) was an American actor who became a talent agent.[1] He repped for such high-profile talent as Jane Fonda, James Dean and Burt Reynolds during his career as an agent.[1]

Clayton was born in Montclair, New Jersey.[1] He began his career in New York City, where he worked as an actor and model.[1] In an item reported from Hollywood, The New York Times noted that Warner Bros. had placed "Richard Clayton of the New York Stage" under contract, one of several actors engaged for its forthcoming production of what was described as The Life of Knute Rockne.[2] He appeared in several of the studio's films under his contract with the studio, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame in 1939, Knute Rockne, All American in 1940 and the 1941 pictures A Very Young Lady and High Sierra.[1]

Clayton served in the United States military during World War II.[1] He met actor James Dean following his return from the war. Clayton and Dean appeared together in the 1951 film, Sailor Beware.[1] Clayton moved from full-time acting to repping when he took a position at the Famous Artists Agency.[1] As an agent, Clayton represented his friend, James Dean, as well as Farrah Fawcett, Jane Fonda, Harrison Ford, Nick Nolte and Angie Dickinson.[1] He continued to work as a full-time talent agent for several decades. He later became personal manager to actor Burt Reynolds. Clayton ultimately managed Reynolds' career for twenty two years.[1]

In the late 1950s, Clayton built a small house in Palm Desert, California, with fellow actor Tab Hunter.[3] Clayton died from congestive heart failure on September 29, 2008, in Los Angeles at the age of 93.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Actor-agent Richard Clayton dies". Variety Magazine. 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  2. ↑ Churchill, Douglas W. "SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD; Wallace Beery to Be Starred in 'Wyoming'—Paul Lukas Assigned to 'Escape' 'STRANGE CARGO' OPENING 'Ma! He's Making Eyes at Me' Is on Today's Palace Bill With 'Virginia City'", The New York Times, April 25, 2940. Accessed October 18, 2008.
  3. ↑ Wallace, David (2008). A City Comes Out. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade. p. 100. ISBN 978-1569803493. LCCN 2008022210. OCLC 209646547.
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