Happy Birthday, Sterling Hayden (1916-1986)

Hayden may be the only major Hollywood figure whose real life was actually more exciting and adventurous than anything he ever did in film. He left home for the sea at age 17, first as a ship's boy, then as doryman on the Grand Banks, as a seaman and fireman on numerous vessels before getting his first command at age 19. He sailed around the world a number of times, becoming a well-known and highly respected ship's captain.

His first entry into movies was after meeting Paramount director Edward H. Griffith, who cast him as second lead in Virginia (1941). He fell in love with and married his first leading lady, Madeleine Carroll. Then came the lead role in Bahama Passage (1941) for the same director, also with Madeleine Carroll.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)



The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) with Jean Hagen


The Asphalt Jungle (1950) with Jean Hagen


The Asphalt Jungle (1950) with Jean Hagen and Sam Jaffe

Louis Calhern, Sterling Hayden, Jean Hagen and Sam Jaffe
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)


The Asphalt Jungle (1950)


Johnny Guitar (1954)

Of this film, Hayden remarked: "There is not enough money in Hollywood to lure me into making another picture with Joan Crawford. And I like money."

Johnny Guitar (1954) with Joan Crawford


Ben Cooper, Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden and Scott Brady
Johnny Guitar (1954)

When the US entered World War II, Hayden changed his name to John Hamilton to obscure his Hollywood past, and joined the Office of Strategic Services--the predecessor of the CIA--headed by Col. "Wild Bill" Donovan, whose son Hayden had sailed with. Trained in guerrilla warfare, Hayden operated a fishing boat off of Yugoslavia to pick up downed Allied pilots and to supply Tito's Communist partisans. He won a Silver Star and a promotion to captain by the time he was discharged in 1945. He had also become enthusiastic about Communism, and briefly joined the Communist Party after he returned to Hollywood.

Naked Alibi (1954)


with Gloria Grahame in Naked Alibi (1954)


with Gloria Grahame in Naked Alibi (1954)


with Gloria Grahame and Gene Barry in Naked Alibi (1954)


with Gloria Grahame in Naked Alibi (1954)


Crime Wave (1954)


with Gene Nelson in Crime Wave (1954)


with Gene Nelson in Crime Wave (1954)



Suddenly (1954)


Suddenly (1954) with Willis Bouchey



Frank Sinatra, Nancy Gates, Kim Charney and Sterling Hayden
Suddenly (1954)


Richard Carlson, Ernest Borgnine, Sterling Hayden,
John Russell and Arthur Hunnicutt in
The Last Command (1955)

After the war, Hayden returned to film work, which he despised, in order to pay for a succession of sailing vessels. As the Red Scare deepened in U.S., he cooperated with the House Un-American Activities Committee, confessing his brief Communist ties, and naming other Hollywood people who were associated with communism in the 40s. He regretted this action from then on, holding himself in enormous contempt for what he considered "ratting"

His resume includes some of the greatest films-noir ever produced: Manhandled (1949), The Asphalt Jungle (1950), Crime Wave (1954), Johnny Guitar (1954), Naked Alibi (1954), Suddenly (1954), The Come On (1956), The Killing (1956) and Crime of Passion (1957).

The Killing (1956)


The Killing (1956) with Coleen Gray


The Killing (1956)



The Killing (1956)


with Marie Windsor in The Killing (1956)


Crime of Passion (1957)


5 Steps to Danger (1957) with Ruth Roman


Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned
to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

In my personal opinion, the high point of Hayden's career is his brilliant turn as the mad General Ripper in Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), which immortalized forever the phrase "precious bodily fluids."

Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned
to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)


Saut de l'ange, Le (1971)


Saut de l'ange, Le (1971) with Jean Yanne


The Long Goodbye (1973) with Elliot Gould