Kevin Joseph Aloysius Career, Larger Works and Personal Life
Kevin Joseph Aloysius “Chuck” Connors, an American actor, playwright, and professional basketball and baseball player, was born on April 10, 1921. He is one of just 13 sportsmen in American professional sports history to have competed in both the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball (Brooklyn Dodgers 1949, Chicago Cubs 1951). (Boston Celtics 1946–48).
Kevin Joseph Aloysius Family
Spouse/Ex-: Faith Quabius (M. 1977–1980), Kamala Devi, Elizabeth Riddell (M. 1948–1962). (M. 1963–1972)
Father: Alban Francis Connors
Mother: Marcella
Children: Jeff, Kevin, Mike, and Steve Connors.
Kevin Joseph Aloysius Career
Chuck enrolled in the Army in October 1942 to serve as a tank instructor during World War II. Even while he was in the Army, he continued to play. He received his Army discharge in February 1946.
He began playing basketball for the “Rochester Royals” and later played until 1948 for the “Boston Celtics.” In 1949, Chuck started playing baseball by joining the “Brooklyn Dodgers.” He was hired as a first baseman by the “Chicago Cubs” in 1951.
Chuck changed his profession to acting when Bill Grady, a casting director for “MGM,” saw him play for the “Los Angeles Angels” in September 1951. His debut performance was in the Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn movie “Pat and Mike.”
Chuck performed in several films. Trouble Along the Way, South Sea Woman, Walt Disney’s “Old Yeller,” “The Big Country,” “Geronimo,” and “Soylent Green” were a few among them.
Chuck also appeared in a variety of TV series roles. In “The Rifleman,” he played the part of Lucas McCain, a New Mexico homesteader raising his son alone on a ranch (1958 – 1963).
In the miniseries “Roots,” Chuck received an Emmy nomination for his performance. The Loretta Young Show, Four Star Playhouse, GE Theatre, and Superman are some of his other TV programs.
Kevin Joseph Aloysius Larger Works
Lucas McCain, played by Chuck Connors, is well remembered for appearing in “The Rifleman” (1958-1963). He took on the character of a rancher from North Fork, New Mexico, who was a single father. His performance in the miniseries “Roots” in 1977 led to an “Emmy” nomination for him.
Kevin Joseph Aloysius Personal Life
In 1948, Huck Connors wed Elizabeth. Michael, Jeffrey, Stephen, and Kevin were their four sons. They hailed from California’s Woodland Hills. Elizabeth and Chuck got divorced in 1961.
He wed Kamala Devi, his “Geronimo” co-star, in 1963. In 1973, he divorced her.
He wed Faith Quabius, a Soylent Green co-star, in 1977, then divorced her in 1979.
Kevin Joseph Aloysius Death
At 71, Connors passed away from lung cancer on November 10, 1992, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In the San Fernando Mission Cemetery, he is interred.