Clarence Linden Crabbe Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
Clarence Linden "Buster" Crabbe II (/?kræb/; February 7, 1908 – April 23, 1983) was an American athlete and actor. He won the 1932 Olympic gold medal for 400m freestyle swimming before subsequently breaking into acting. He starred in a number of popular films in the 1930s and 1940s. He also played the title role in the serials Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers.
I was never one to think that because you are in the picture business, because you're an actor, you're a special person. Not at all, and I have little regard for any people who act that way. If you're lucky, you bring a little excitement to the world. If you're really lucky, you lend your fame to worthwhile causes -- as I was recently privileged to do raising money for the 1984 Olympics, or promoting healthy activities. Apart from that, you're just another human being, trying to make a living, doing it the best way you possibly can. That's the way I've always operated, and I will continue to do so, just doing the best I can.
2
If you can believe it, we started my last movie for PRC on Monday and had it in the can on Thursday! That's when I decided I'd had enough and quit. I went in and told them I was through. They didn't even bat an eye. The next thing I knew they replaced me with Lash La Rue.
3
Some say my acting rose to the level of incompetence and then leveled off. I was a lot better actor than people gave me credit for. I didn't have any training, but I feel if I had been given the chance, I could have become a really good, top-rate actor. I didn't make it like a [Clark Gable] or [Charles Boyer]. But I wonder what would have happened if things had been different.
#
Fact
1
Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1965.
2
Was a staunch conservative-minded Republican.
3
In the 1970s, he was the commercial spokesperson for Continental Airlines.
4
First cousin four times removed of Confederate General James Longstreet (1821-1904).
5
Son of Edward Clinton Crabbe and wife Agnes Lucy McNamara.
6
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 192-193. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.
7
Grandson Nick Holt head defensive football coach 2006 at University of Southern California where Buster Crabbe graduated in 1931.
8
Father of Cullen Crabbe; His daughter Caren Lynn "Sande" Crabbe (born July 14, 1936) died of anorexia at her maternal grandparents home in Pacific Palisades on April 10, 1957. At the time of her death, she weighed only 60 pounds.
9
Crabbe did not test for the title role of his most famous film Flash Gordon (1936); in fact, he thought the idea was too far out for movie audiences to accept and would be a box-office flop. However, he was a huge fan of the comic strip and was curious to see who would be cast, so he went to the tryouts and stood in the back of the room watching the testing. The series' producer, Henry MacRae, saw him, came over and offered him the role right away. This turned out that MacRae had seen several of Crabbe's previous films and thought he would be perfect for the role, but the series was being made by Universal and Crabbe was under contract to Paramount, and MacRae did not think Paramount would loan him out. MacRae asked him if a deal could be worked out with Paramount would Crabbe do the role, Crabbe said okay, a deal was arranged and Crabbe became Flash Gordon.
10
He was the only actor who has played Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers and Tarzan - the top three pulp heroes of the 1930s.
11
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6901 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
12
Guest of Honor at "Multicon 70" science-fiction convention (Oklahoma City, USA, June 18-21, 1970)
13
Attended and graduated from Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii (1927).
14
In 1971, Crabbe broke the world swimming record for the over sixties in the 400 meters free style.
15
Was on the 1928 and 1932 United States Olympic swimming teams. Won gold medal in the 400 Meter Swimming Freestyle at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Also won a bronze medal in the 1500 Meter Freestyle at Amsterdam.
$1.6 Million
