Jamaican reggae vocalist and recording artist. Born: 2 March 1957 in Kingston, Jamaica. Also known as "Rocky T", Taylor is a Jamaican reggae veteran, famous for his 1970s hits "Ethiopean Kings" and "His Imperial Majesty". Currently releasing on several French labels.
Father: William Sturt Taylor; Mother: Mona Stewart
Father of Felicia Taylor with his second wife, Mary.
20th Century-Fox considered him for the astronaut role in 1968s Planet of the Apes but, perhaps seeking a bigger box office name, gave the part to Charlton Heston.
Played Tarzan in an Australian childrens radio serial in the early 1950s.
Attended East Sydney Art College.
His second wife, Mary Beth Hilem, died on March 7, 2009.
Taylor had completely retired from acting when Quentin Tarantino offered him the role of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Inglourious Basterds . At first Taylor declined the part, suggesting that Tarantino should cast Albert Finney (who had played Churchill to great acclaim in The Gathering Storm ), but eventually the director talked him into it.
Was originally considered for the role of Roper in Enter the Dragon but was thought to be too tall, compared to the actor hed be sharing many action scenes with, Bruce Lee -- the part eventually played by John Saxon.
He originally planned to become an artist, and as a teenager he studied at the East Sydney Technical and Fine Arts College. He became interested in acting. He saw Laurence Olivier in "Richard III" on an Old Vic tour, and this inspired him to become an actor.
His father was a steel-construction contractor and draftsman, and his mother, a childrens book author.
Briefly pursued a career as a painter before turning to acting.
Ran his own TV production company, Rodlor Inc..
He was considered for the role of Colonel George Taylor in Planet of the Apes before Charlton Heston was cast.
Is one of two actors to appear in movies, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and Quentin Tarantino. Bruce Dern is the other.
Rod Taylor fell down about two weeks before his death and was hospitalized. He returned home, and he subsequently had a heart attack and died in his bed at his home in Beverly Hills, CA, surrounded by his family and friends.
He was considered to star with John Wayne in Rio Bravo , Circus World and The War Wagon , before he finally got to work with Wayne in The Train Robbers .
He was once engaged to Anita Ekberg , who died four days after him.
Became a US citizen in 1982.
Taylor refused a screen test for James Bond, considering it beneath him. "Every time a new Bond picture became a smash hit," he later admitted, "I tore out my hair.".
In the early 1970s he saved the Australian Opera (now Opera Australia) with a $250,000 donation.
He never carried a film that was a big box office hit.
In the late 1960s he focused on action films. Critics felt he looked too short, old and out-of-shape to be believable in those roles, and the films all flopped at the box office.
He was little seen in movies after the 1960s.
Light Entertainment Producer who worked for the UKs Granada Television from 1964-1972 and 1977-1980, in the theatre from 1972-1977, and freelance from 1980 until his retirement. After retiring he became an after-dinner speaker.
When I arrived at LA airport, to be met by some Hollywood promoters,they were expecting some six foot, pretty guy. Instead they were,shocked to see a five foot ten punk, with a broken nose.
I am a poor student sitting at the feet of giants, yearning for their wisdom and begging for lessons that might one day make me a complete artist, so that if all goes well, I may one day sit beside them. .
