Grant Sullivan (actor)

Grant Sullivan
Sullivan in Pony Express press photo
Born
Jerry Schulz

June 30, 1924
Fremont, Nebraska, U.S.
DiedMay 31, 2011(2011-05-31) (aged 86)
Laguna Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, realtor
Spouses
  • Mary Samuel
    ​
    (m. 1951)​
  • Olgita De Castro
    ​
    (m. 1962)​
  • Valedia Sullivan (m. c. 1969–2011)

Grant Sullivan (born Jerry Schulz, June 30, 1924 – May 31, 2011) was an American actor who starred as investigator Brett Clark in the television series, Pony Express, which aired in syndication from 1959 to 1960.[1] He starred with Don Dorrell.[2]

Early years

The Fremont, Nebraska-born Jerry Schulz was reared in Southern California.[1] As a student at Anaheim Union High School, he excelled in sports and on stage.[3]

Sullivan was a meteorologist in the United States Navy during World War II.[3] He changed his name to Grant Sullivan[3] and appeared on Broadway in Auntie Mame (1956)[4] before he moved to television roles. His other stage credits included Happy Birthday with Joan Blondell, Portrait Of a Lady with Jennifer Jones, and Tonight Or Never with Ilona Massey.[5]

For his role in Pony Express, he trained to ride horses with stuntman/actor Boyd Morgan.[1]

Prior to Pony Express, Sullivan appeared in such series as The Secret Files of Captain Video, Robert Montgomery Presents, 77 Sunset Strip, and Ray Milland's Markham. Once his own series ended, he was cast in two 1961 episodes of Dale Robertson's western series, Tales of Wells Fargo, "The Diamond Dude" and "Death Raffle." In 1965, he guest starred on Robert Culp's I Spy on NBC. In 1966, he appeared in Jim Nabors' Gomer Pyle, USMC. In 1967, he was a cast as a space alien in the episode "Kidnapped in Space" on CBS's Lost in Space.

Realtor

Sullivan left acting in the early 1970s and became a realtor. He worked as a business executive for both Mission Viejo Company and Great Western Real Estate until his retirement.[1]

Personal life

In June 1951, Sullivan married Mary Samuel, who was known as Maxine when she performed with the Hour of Charm Orchestra.[6] In 1962, he married Olgita De Castro, a member of The DeCastro Sisters singing group.[7] He was married to Valedia Sullivan for 42 years.[1]

Death

Sullivan died of cancer at his home in Laguna Beach,[citation needed] California on May 31, 2011, aged 86.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Grant Sullivan obituary". Los Angeles Times. 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2011-06-17.
  2. ^ Magers, Boyd. "Do You Remember... Pony Express". Western Clippings. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2022 – via Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ a b c Krec, Ted (May 1, 1960). "Long Beach Boy Totes the Mail". Independent Press-Telegram. California, Long Beach. p. 84. Retrieved May 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Grant Sullivan". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  5. ^ Rahn, Pete (May 20, 1960). "Actor Rides for Fame On TV 'Pony Express'". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. Missouri, St. Louis. p. 39. Retrieved May 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Spaceman Wins Heart Of Teen-Age Set". Detroit Free Press. Michigan, Detroit. July 26, 1953. p. 59. Retrieved May 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Miller, Jeanne (January 11, 1965). "Prefers Comedy". The San Francisco Examiner. California, San Francisco. p. 54. Retrieved May 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.