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Sterling Hayden: Seas
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A handsome, virile star of the late 1940s and 50s, Sterling Hayden spent several years at sea before signing with Paramount in 1940, appearing in two films with future wife Madeleine Carroll. Variously touted by the studio publicity machine as "The Most Beautiful Man in Movies" or "The Beautiful Blond Viking God", the actor broke his contract in 1941 to join the Marines. During WWII, he assisted the Yugoslavian partisans fight against the Germans and briefly joined the Communist Party in 1946 (resigning after six months) before resuming his acting career the following year....
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Born Sterling Walter in New Jersey in 1916, Sterling Hayden didn't harbor aspirations of being an actor. Rather, he was fascinated by sailing, so much so that in 1933, he left school for a life on the sea. By the early 1940s, the 6'5" Hayden had become a print model when he was discovered by Paramount Studios talent scouts and offered a contract.
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Hayden was a genuine adventurer and man of action, not dissimilar from many of his movie parts. He ran away to sea at 17, as a ship's boy, then later was a fisherman on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. After serving as sailor and fireman on larger vessels, he was awarded his first command at 19, and sailed around the world several times.
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Steven Spielberg originally wanted Sterling Hayden for the role of Quint. Hayden, Paramount Studios' "Most Beautiful Man in the Movies" in the 1940s, was in many ways perfect for the role. At the age of 17 he ran away to sea, sailed around the world several times and made the rank of ship's captain. It was only at the insistent urging of his friends that he pursued a career in film.
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Hayden was a trip! Get your hands on the Wanderer. FANTASTIC book. You will not ever read something more interesting dealing with themes of fame, family, wanderlust, and adventure on the high seas. Sure, he kills in Killing, Asphalt, and Strangeglove, but this dude was like some weird hardcore f-up that Sean Penn dreams about.
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Hayden's WWII heroics led him to briefly embrace the Communist Party. He later named names before the HUAC, a transgression for which he never forgave himself. Though he didn't tell HUAC anything they didn't already know, naming names haunted him until his dying day. He wrote an autobiography and novels that reflected his lifelong love of the sea. He was, in other words, a portrait of awesomeness.
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