Richard Widmark (1914 - 2008) was a highly talented, underrated actor who proved his versatility by peforming in many different genres, chief among which being film noir, war and westerns. Interestingly enough, considering how much they were called for in his roles, Widmark hated guns, and always left the impression that he was in actuality a shy, gentle man who did not revel in the spotlight. A ruptured eardrum kept him out of military service, and he worked as a teacher before making his film debut at 32 in "Kiss Of Death" (1947), a performance that won him an Oscar nomination. The famous laugh during the scene in which Tommy Udo pushes a woman in a wheelchair down the stairs, was not scripted and Widmark said that the giggle was purely nervousness, but it worked so well that it remained in the film. 20th Century Fox signed him to a contract. He disliked his role as a racist thug in "No Way Out" (1950), and he repeatedly apologized to costar Sidney Poitier for the lines he had to say in the film. He went on to play similar roles in the genre, as well as westerns and as hated commanders such as in "The Halls Of Montezuma" (also 1950). His favorite leading lady was Gene Tierney, his costar in "Night And The City". Widmark made his last film appearance in "Wild Bill: Hollywood Maverick"(1995). Twice married (his first wife died), he has a daughter. He passed away peacefully at home after an illness.The song is "Wondering" by Patti Page.
