BIO

Richard Carlson was born Richard Dutoit Carlson in Albert Lea, Minnesota, in 1912.   Raised in Minneapolis, he excelled in his studies and graduated at or near the top of his class in both high school and college with a degree in English Literature from the University of Minnesota.   After studying and teaching drama in Minneapolis, Carlson left to pursue a stage career on Broadway.

He made his Broadway debut in 1937, at the age of 25.   Carlson appeared in another 3 productions through 1939.   He also wrote and staged a Broadway production in 1937 which quickly closed.

Turning to Hollywood, he was signed by Selznick and appeared in his first film role in 1938.

Carlson appeared in several films, including The Little Foxes (1941) with Bette Davis, before interrupting his acting career to serve in World War II.

After returning to civilian life, he found it difficult to win new roles and success in Hollywood eluded him until the 1950s, when he appeared in such films as King Solomon’s Mines (1950) with Deborah Kerr.

Carlson slowly began to rebuild his career, finding work in the newly emergent science fiction and horror 'B' films of the 1950s as well as going behind the camera as a director for several television episodes.

He also was the star of the television series I Led 3 Lives (1953-1956) and MacKenzie's Raiders (1958-1959).   His last film was released in 1969.

Carlson married his wife Mona in 1939 and the couple raised two children.

He died of a cerebral hemorrhage in Los Angeles, in 1977. Carlson was 65 years old.

Additional Broadway stage history is available at:

Additional biographical information is available at:

NOTED FILMS

Complete filmography at:

NOTED FILMS

I Led 3 Lives

Mackenzie's Raiders