He Was The Real Deal
Plenty of today’s Hollywood action stars seem a little below average when it comes to height—hello, Tom Cruise. Jeff Chandler was something different entirely. With his broad frame, he towered over most of his costars. The wavy silver hair, dark complexion, and deep, resonant voice certainly didn’t hurt either. When a terrible tragedy took his life far too early, Hollywood lost one of its true leading men. But years later, a shocking accusation would force people to see Chandler in a completely different light.
1. He Was An Only Child
Jeff Chandler was born on December 15, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York. Not only was he an only child, but he also lost his dad early in his life. When he was a boy, his parents separated. But despite that early loss, Chandler still kept hold of youthful dreams. And after acting in high school plays, Chandler knew he wanted to be an actor. But there was one important thing standing in his way.
2. He Took His Second Choice
Acting school was expensive, and Chandler had no money to pay for it. Making a more sensible choice, he decided to study commercial art, which was cheaper. When he finished school, he got a job as a layout artist with a weekly salary of just $18. But Chandler wasn’t happy.
He had to somehow use the little money he had to fulfill his dream.
New York Sunday News, Wikimedia Commons
3. He Got Interrupted
Jeff Chandler took his meager earnings and put them toward an education at the Feagin School of Dramatic Art. After graduating, he worked in radio and for a theater company as an actor and a stage manager. And by 1941, Chandler was ready to start his own theater company—Shady Lane Productions. But just when they started to see a little success, a dramatic interruption stopped him in his tracks.
Los Angeles Times, Wikimedia Commons
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4. He Signed Up
When the US entered WW II, Chandler signed himself up. After four years and becoming a lieutenant, Chandler headed out to the west coast to make a play for life in the fast lane in LA. Unfortunately for him, though, he promptly had a car accident.
So his pursuit of Hollywood got off to a rough start, but that proved only the beginning.
Universal. Photographer not credited (page 30), Modern Screen, August 1954, Wikimedia Commons
5. He Made A Valuable Friend
It may have been the scar on his forehead left by the car accident, but Jeff Chandler found roles only in radio dramas. But, in a stroke of good luck, he met Dick Powell while working one of these gigs. Powell saw something in Chandler. Before long, he talked to Columbia Pictures and got Chandler his first job on a film, a small, uncredited role in a film called Jonny O'Clock.
But that little taste of life in the limelight made him hungry for more.
Trailer screenshot by uploader, Wikimedia Commons
6. He Took A Step Back
Unfortunately, Chandler’s small role in Johnny O’Clock only led to more small roles. Somehow, he wasn't turning into the star he wanted to be. So when he got the chance to play opposite Eve Arden in the radio show Our Miss Brooks, it may have felt like a step backward.
Strangely, though, it was this radio show that catapulted him to stardom.
7. He Was Lovable
In the radio show Our Miss Brooks, Jeff Chandler plays Philip Boynton. This character teaches biology and is clueless about the fact that Miss Brooks has a crush on him. After all, he’s much more interested in experiments. While he sounds like an impossibly nerdy character, Chandler managed to make audiences fall in love with Boynton.
But it wasn't just audiences who were listening.
Bureau of Industrial Service for CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
8. He Was Heard But Not Seen
Some bigwigs at Universal Pictures heard Chandler on the radio, and his performance impressed them. They were looking for an actor for Sword in the Desert about Israel's fight for independence. They quickly snapped Chandler up, but after a few days of filming, they realized something. Chandler had “star” written all over him.
9. They Wanted To Keep Him Close
While he was still making Sword in the Desert, Jeff Chandler received a contract from Universal for seven years. This way, Universal knew they could keep him safely under their wing. Abandoned was their first film together, and he plays the DA. When he got his next role in 20th Century Fox’s Broken Arrow with James Stewart, his fate changed forever.
Screenshot from Abandoned, Universal Pictures (1949)
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10. They Were Desperate
Fox was up against the wall, looking for an actor for their film Broken Arrow. It was a tough role to fill as it was a Native American character. They needed someone tall and, in order to pull off being native American, they didn’t want someone too well known. They were desperate and even considered offering the role to opera singer Ezio Pinza.
That’s when the name Jeff Chandler came to their attention.
Sunset Boulevard, Getty Images
11. He Was Perfect
Because of his performance in Sword in the Desert, someone suggested Jeff Chandler for the role of Cochise in Broken Arrow. He had everything they needed: a towering height, a deep voice, and he was still generally unknown to audiences. Fox was giddy with excitement, especially when Universal agreed to loan him out. Chandler was making a huge leap and would co-star with acting juggernaut James Stewart.
This was a big break, and it served up another surprising benefit.
John Springer Collection, Getty Images
12. His Name Was All Over the Place
Because Chandler was playing Cochise in Fox’s Broken Arrow, Universal figured out that he was going to be a big star. To cash in, they pushed his name higher on the poster for Abandoned: their film with Chandler. From out of nowhere, Chandler's name was getting around Hollywood.
But, of course, all of this would lead to nothing if Chandler’s portrayal of Cochise wasn’t a success.
Screenshot from Broken Arrow, 20th Century Fox (1950)
13. He Changed Things
Until this point, film characters that were Native American tended to lack complexity. They were usually men of few words. The script for Broken Arrow had more lines for Cochise than most. And then there was Jeff Chandler. He made the character multi-layered. This was a first, and audiences took note.
Members of the academy were also watching.
Screenshot from Broken Arrow, 20th Century Fox (1950)
14. He Got The Nod
Broken Arrow was a monster hit and earned three Academy Award nominations. Chandler’s nomination for Best Supporting Actor was the only acting nomination. It was also the first nomination for an actor playing a Native American. Chandler didn't win it, but the nomination was enough to send this unknown actor into orbit.
Screenshot from Broken Arrow, 20th Century Fox (1950)
15. He Worked Hard
The thing was, as part of his loan out deal from Universal, Jeff Chandler signed a one-film-a-year contract with Fox. In general, that kind of deal was completely off the radar for studios. As a result, Chandler found himself being pulled for work constantly.
Before long, his career began to take over his entire life.
Screenshot from Broken Arrow, 20th Century Fox (1950)
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16. He Got Stuck
When movie exhibitors put Chandler at the number 22 spot on their list of popular American stars, more offers poured in. Fox, in particular, had roles for him in The Day the Earth Stood Still, Lydia Bailey and Les Misérables. Behind the scenes, Universal started playing hardball. They started to affect his ability to work, refusing to let him do more than his one picture a year with Fox.
Chandler was theirs, and they weren't sharing anymore.
Screenshot from The Day the Earth Stood Still, 20th Century Fox (1951)
17. He Missed Out
In 1952, Universal was desperate to keep Jeff Chandler under contract and offered him double the money to stay. He couldn't say no and didn’t. But being with Universal meant Chandler missed out on even more roles that he would have loved to do. Huge hits like The Robe and Magnificent Obsession could have been great vehicles for his career.
Even so, though, he still got to sizzle on screen with Universal.
18. He Heated Things Up
There are few things that audiences like more than two costars that really heat up the screen. For Chandler, the heat came with Maureen O’Hara. In Flame of Araby and War Arrow, these two had chemistry to burn, and moviegoers loved to see them together. As is often the case, the truth behind the scenes was something altogether different.
19. She Wasn’t Moved
Jeff Chandler and Maureen O’Hara had a chemistry that ignited the screen and made audiences want more. Strangely, O’Hara had a different idea about Chandler. She later said that acting with him was like acting with a broomstick. Well, Chandler's personal life said otherwise.
20. He Played The Field
Back in 1946, Chandler had married fellow actor Marjorie Hoshelle. The couple had two daughters, but in 1951, they separated. As a free man, Chandler's dating behavior got him the reputation of a Casanova. And once his wife saw the attention he was getting, she was ready to try again and make their relationship work.
But there was another problem with Chandler.
Los Angeles Times, Wikimedia Commons
21. She Had An Odd Complaint
Chandler’s second chance with his wife didn’t work either. In 1954, Hoshelle filed for divorce, and she had a strange complaint about her husband. She said that it didn’t matter where they were, Chandler would always fall asleep. As it turned out, there was a very good reason for this.
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22. He Was Overworked
In 1954, Chandler started to understand why he was so tired. He felt that Universal was expecting too much from him. He also had a burgeoning singing career on the go and spent oodles of time answering fan mail and providing autographs. Basically, he was burning the candles on both ends.
Something had to give.
23. They Suspended Him
In May 1954, Universal was expecting Jeff Chandler to appear in Six Bridges to Cross with Tony Curtis, but he refused. They got George Nader to replace him, but they weren't happy with Chandler and suspended him temporarily. Suddenly, Chandler was feeling remorse. Maybe this movie star thing wasn’t such a great idea after all.
United Pictures Corporation, Wikimedia Commons
24. He Had A List Of Complaints
In a candid interview with Hedda Hopper, Chandler complained about fans recognizing him on the street. He also mentioned having to always leave a big tip at restaurants because he was a big star. He said he was dreaming of becoming an executive outside the movie industry.
Of course, this kind of talk made Universal nervous, so they made him an offer.
Bain News Service, publisher, Wikimedia Commons
25. He Said No Again
Universal was willing to lift Chandler’s suspension, and they even offered him a new film as a peace offering. This was Lady Godiva of Coventry, which even featured a scantily clad Maureen O'Hara on a horse. Strangely, Chandler looked this gift horse in the mouth and refused to make it. Chandler was being picky, as he knew he had Universal where he wanted them.
Universal's next move was to offer him two of its most prestigious films.
Sunset Boulevard, Getty Images
26. He Made Some Average Films
Chandler’s return to working with Universal resulted in 1955’s The Spoilers and the following year’s Away All Boats. In the latter, he met with Nader, who had previously replaced him on films he’d refused to do. While both films were respectable and expected to do very well, neither went down in cinematic history.
It didn’t matter, though, as Chandler was still in great demand. Even from Hollywood royalty.
Screenshot from Away All Boats, Universal Pictures (1956)
27. He Was Her First Pick
Superstar Joan Crawford was in a relationship with the president of Universal Pictures. He gave her a role in the drama Female on the Beach, and as a courtesy to his girlfriend, he let her choose who she wanted to have as a romantic male lead. Crawford knew exactly who she wanted: Jeff Chandler.
But Crawford had no idea what she was really getting herself into
Studio publicity still, Wikimedia Commons
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28. He Was Rough With Her
Chandler and Crawford lit up the screen, but filmgoers couldn't help but notice how physical Chandler got with Crawford. Strangely, she didn’t seem to mind. In the finished product, Crawford looks like she’s actually swooning in Chandler’s arms. Female on the Beach did little to impress critics, but they did call it “seamy”.
With another just okay movie under his belt, Chandler was realizing something. If he wanted to make great films, he’d have to do it himself.
Screenshot from Female on the Beach, Universal Pictures (1955)
29. He Went Out On His Own
Late in 1956, Chandler’s contract with Universal was expiring, and he wanted to take advantage of his freedom. Chandler started a production company of his own called Earlmar. Chandler got together with United Artists and agreed to make six films with Earlmar and United Artists working together.
Unfortunately for him, he didn’t quite make it to six.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
30. He Only Made One
Earlmar’s first film was the Western Drango. Chandler, in addition to producing, also had the title role. This film would turn out to be the only film that Earlmar ever made. Strangely enough, after making the film, Chandler headed back to Universal, the studio he’d been so desperate to get away from. Ironically, one critic called his next film with them, The Tattered Dress, “the best acting job of his career”.
But that wasn't the only placed he decided to make some important reconciliations.
Screenshot from The Tattered Dress, Universal Pictures (1957)
31. He Met A Swimmer
Around this same time, Chandler got back together with his wife. Two years after the reconciliation, Chandler was making Raw Wind In Eden. On this shoot, he met up with swimmer/actor Esther Williams. They were filming in Italy, and Hoshelle packed up the girls and went to visit the set.
She was in for a shock.
32. It Was Obvious
At the beginning of Raw Wind in Eden, Williams’ character is complaining about her affair with a married man. In real life, Williams and Chandler had also started an affair. When Hoshelle and the girls arrived in Italy, it might have been a little obvious what was going on. What we do know is that Chandler went back to the States alone. In 1958, Hoshelle finally got her divorce.
And with that, it was time for Chandler to really hit the dating scene.
33. He Dated Heavily
Now that Chandler was officially single, he didn’t hold back. The rumor mill had him dating Female on the Beach costar Joan Crawford, Piper Lorie, Linda Darnell, and “Oomph” girl Anne Sheridan. They even reported that he had hooked up with his childhood friend, Susan Hayward. While both denied the rumors, the public ate everything up as truth.
But it wasn’t all fun and games.
produced by Warner Bros. and supplied to CINE MUNDIAL magazine, Wikimedia Commons
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34. Divorce Settlement
Of course, with every divorce comes a divorce settlement, and Hollywood ones were usually epic. After hearing the facts, the court laid down its decision. Chandler would have to pay his ex-wife a startling $1,500 per month. If that doesn’t sound like a lot, consider this. In today’s dollars, it would be $15,000. On top of this, he also had to provide for his kids. Also taking their share were his agent and business manager.
In other words, Chandler needed to start making even more money if he wanted to maintain his lifestyle.
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
35. He Went To The Jungle
In 1961, Chandler was off to the Philippines to shoot Merrill’s Marauders about the Burma campaign of battles. At the filming location, there were 1200 US soldiers, who also worked on the film as extras. Between takes, Chandler decided to play baseball with some of the soldiers.
This would prove to be a very bad decision.
36. He Got Hurt
Chandler already had a bad back. While playing baseball, he got an injury that made the pain worse. He had to keep working on the film, so they pumped him full of injections for the pain, and he kept filming. If you watch Merrill’s Marauders closely, you can see that Chandler is actually feeling pain while acting in the film.
The pain got so bad that Chandler could not continue.
37. He Passed Out
Chandler was feeling the pain from his injury, and the oppressive jungle heat wasn’t helping at all. He put up with the unbearable discomfort for as long as possible and then fainted. They quickly got Chandler into a helicopter and rushed him to a US Army air base station. Chandler made a surprising recovery and then made a surprising announcement. He would carry on making the movie.
He eventually returned to the US, but his problems were far from over.
38. There Was A Problem In The OR
In May 1961, Chandler had three separate surgeries. The first was for the herniation of his spinal disc. During this surgery, there were severe problems. When doctors damaged one of his arteries, and he began to hemorrhage. He survived this operation, but he was not in the clear yet.
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
39. He Needed A Lot Of Blood
Four days after his first surgery, Chandler was back under the knife again. This time it was an emergency. During this operation, Chandler received a lot of blood. Actually, 26 litres (55 pints) worth. On May 27, he had another operation, and doctors gave him almost 10 litres (20 pints) of blood.
But unbeknownst to them, all this blood was adding up to one thing: trouble.
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
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40. He Got Infected
Because of all the blood the doctors had given him, Chandler got a blood infection, which became more complicated due to pneumonia. On June 17, 1961, just a few weeks after his third surgery, Chandler passed. At his funeral, pallbearers included fellow actors Tony Curtis and Gerald Mohr. Close to 1500 mourners attended the ceremony.
But some people thought his passing was suspicious.
41. Something Seemed Wrong
Some people, including Chandler’s daughters, thought there was something fishy about Chandler’s treatment at the hospital. They launched an inquiry, and the results were that Chandler would have lived if it weren't for malpractice. Chandler’s daughters sued the hospital for $1.5 million.
But that’s not exactly what they got.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
42. They Got Something
Even though all the concerned parties signed a document releasing the hospital and doctors from fault, Chandler’s daughters received $233,258 in damages. This was at a time when malpractice suits were rare. His daughters also received Chandler’s full estate, which totaled $600,000. His ex-wife got nothing and sued for $80,000 that she thought he owed her from their divorce.
Fans took the news hard. But there was someone else who took it even harder.
University of Southern California, Getty Images
43. He Had One Lost Chance At Love
Before his passing, Chandler had met horror movie star Barbara Shelley while working on the made-for-TV movie A Story of David. The two began a relationship, which Chandler’s unexpected demise cut short. Shelley later said that Chandler was the “love of her life”.
The world took time to get over the loss of Jeff Chandler. But in 1999, his name was back in the headlines.
The Celluloid Highway, Wikimedia Commons
44. He Had Proposed
Remember, back in 1957, when Chandler’s affair with Esther Williams ended his marriage? Well, in her 1999 autobiography, she said that her relationship with Chandler was much more than a fling. In fact, he had actually proposed to her. Which leads to the question: If Hollywood’s hottest leading man proposed, why did you say no?
The reason Williams gave was a shocker.
45. He Had A Quirk
Chandler and Williams had met on Raw Wind in Eden at the same time Chandler was patching things up with his wife. His affair with Williams ended when she made a shocking discovery. According to her book, she caught him in the bedroom wearing makeup, a dress and high-heeled shoes.
Of course, Williams wanted to know why her manly man boyfriend was wearing a dress. His answer was yet one more huge surprise.
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46. He Hated Himself
According to Williams, Chandler told her that he wore women’s clothes because his father had abandoned his family when he was young. Because his mother and aunt raised him without a man in the house, he started to hate his own gender. Chandler desperately wanted to stay with Williams, and he made his final plea.
47. He Was Getting Help
According to Williams, Chandler told her that he was getting help to stop his compulsion to put on women’s clothes. When Chandler mentioned that his therapist was also a cross-dresser, Williams had enough. She said she also found a secret closet that Chandler had filled with dresses, bathing suits and lingerie.
Williams walked away and never looked back.
48. It Was Hard To Believe
Because of his reputation for being a tough guy, not everyone believed Williams’ story about a cross-dressing Chandler. Jane Russell, who heated up the screen with Chandler in 1955’s Foxfire, thought the story was ridiculous. She said that Chandler “was a sweet guy, definitely all man”.
Whether he was all man or not, he definitely was sweet. Here’s proof.
49. He Was Generous
Back in 1954, Chandler's good friend, singer/actor/dancer Sammy Davis Jr, got into a terrible car accident. When his face hit the steering wheel of his Cadillac, he tragically lost his left eye, and doctors feared he’d be blind. Chandler, with little thought for his own future, offered to give Davis one of his own eyes.
In an alternate universe, Chandler would have lived to a ripe old age.
![Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo
Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ]
Beschrijving : Sammy Davis jr in Nederland, tijdens persconferentie op Schiphol, Sammy Davis , mrs. George Rhodes en K. Prior
Datum : 19 maart 1964
Trefwoorden : persconferenties
Persoonsnaam : Davis, Sammy (jr.), K. Prior
Fotograaf : Broers, F.N. / Anefo
Auteursrechthebbende : Nationaal Archief
Materiaalsoort : Negatief (zwart/wit)
Nummer archiefinventaris : bekijk toegang 2.24.01.03
Bestanddeelnummer : 916-1967](https://www.factinate.com/storage/app/media/factinate/2026/3/17/1773738538debfbeebdbaa3fe26fb9a4419316ce67c5872fa9.jpg)
F.N. Broers / Anefo, Wikimedia Commons
50. He Was Impressive On Lists
It’s hard to say where Chandler’s career could have gone. He certainly was popular. In fact, he turned up in the number 10 position as the most popular male star in America. His appeal crossed borders when, in England, they made him number seven on the list of most popular stars on the big screen.
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
