Rodd Redwing - актёр, инструктор по владению оружием и кинотехник, чья карьера в Голливуде длилась с середины 1930‑х годов до его смерти в 1971 году. Он известен как исполнитель массовых и характерных ролей в вестернах и приключенческих фильмах, как каскадёр и технический советник по огнестрельному оружию, а также как один из самых быстрых мастеров «быстрого достава» револьвера, который обучал многих знаменитостей. В отношении происхождения и имени Редвинга историки и источники расходятся: в разное время он позиционировал себя как человек индейского происхождения, как индиец с азиатскими корнями, а современные исследования указывают на то, что он родился Webb (или Ulysses Webb) Richardson в Чаттануге, Теннесси, в семье афроамериканцев.
Ранняя жизнь и семейные корни
Redwing's real name was Webb Richardson, and he was born 1904 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Lillian and Ulysses W. Richardson. His parents were African American and in census records, his father was an elevator operator and later, a barber. Mother Lillian was a hair dresser. The 1910 census for Chattanooga's 9th Ward enumerates five-year-old Webb Richardson living at 517 Georgia Avenue with his parents and siblings, explicitly recording the family's race as Mulatto. By the 1920 Census, 15-year-old Ulysses W. Richardson Jr. is recorded with family entries that reflect the household and occupations in Chattanooga. 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning their home at 517 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee were 46 year old Ulysses W. Richardson (born Tennessee; race was Black; occupation "Barber"). With him was 15 year old son Ulysses W. Richardson Jr.
1910 census summary and census takers worksheet - 5 year old Webb Richardson (born Tennessee; race Mulatto) was living with his parents at 517 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. World War I draft registration dated September 12, 1918 for 45 year old Ulysses William Richardson. May 1, 1920 Chattanooga, Tennessee News reported that Lillian Webb 'Lillie' Richardson filed for divorce from Ulysses William Richardson. She was a hair dresser and masseur. 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - owning their home at 517 Georgia Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee were 46 year old Ulysses W. Richardson (born Tennessee; race was Black; occupation "Barber").
Переезд в Нью-Йорк и начало актёрской карьеры
In 1929, Webb Richardson was in New York City, acting in the play "Malinda" in Greenwich Village. A review mentions that it was an "all-colored dramatic-musical". 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - 26 year old Webb Richardson (born Tennessee about 1904; occupation "Actor - Motion Pictures") is one of four roomers living with 48 year old widow Birdie Johnson and her children at 2014 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Transitioning to film, Redwing relocated to Hollywood in the early 1930s, debuting on screen in Cecil B. DeMille's 1931 Western remake The Squaw Man, where he portrayed the brother of Lupe Vélez's character. This entry aligned with the era's demand for versatile performers in genre films, particularly Westerns, though subsequent cast verifications for the production remain limited.
Реинкарнация личности: Roderic / Rodric / Rodd Redwing
A few years later, he was In Hollywood pursuing an acting career ... and re-inventing himself as "Rodric Redwing". Confirmation of his arrival in Tinseltown were 1934 and 1936 Los Angeles voter registrations for Rodric Redwing, occupation "Actor". In the 1940 United States Census, his birthplace was listed as India and some sources reported his real name was Roderick Rajpurkaii Jr. Redwing later changed his birthname to Redwing, adopted a Native American identity, and changed his birthplace to New York City. Some sources reported that he used the Hindu-sounding name Roderick Rajpurkaii Jr.
There are multiple and conflicting biographical versions: 1) Redwing claimed he was a Chickasaw Indian. 2) A Rodd Redwing biography at Wikipedia historically stated birth details with India or South Asian connections. 3) In 2023, there was a significant revision to his Wikipedia biography: Redwing was Black, not Native American. "Rodd Redwing (August 24, 1904 - May 29, 1971) was born Webb Richardson on August 24, 1904 in Tennessee, USA. His father, Ulysses William Richardson (b. 1873), was Black and was an elevator man from Tennessee. His mother, Lillian Webb (b. 1878), was also Black and worked as a manicurist and hairdresser.
Фильмы, роли и вклад в киноиндустрию
His career spanned from the mid 1930s through his passing in 1971 and included many westerns, serials, and television shows. Rodd Redwing secured acting roles in various Hollywood productions, predominantly in Westerns and adventure films where he often depicted Native American or ethnic characters. Redwing's role in the biblical epic The Ten Commandments (1956), directed by Cecil B. DeMille, is listed among his notable credits: The Ten Commandments as Taskmaster / Hebrew at Golden Calf.
Redwing has a lot of dialog and screen time portraying Geronimo's son 'Porico' in the cliffhanger, THE SON OF GERONIMO (Columbia, 1952). Redwing is billed fourth behind Clayton Moore, Bud Osborne and Tommy Farrell. He played the Gurkha Sergeant breaking trail for Errol Flynn and his paratroopers in OBJECTIVE BURMA (Warners, 1945). He is known for his work on The Ten Commandments (1956), The Mole People (1956), and Shalako (1968). Between 1951 and 1967, Redwing appeared in more than a dozen television programs, including a guest appearance on CBS's celebrity quiz show, What's My Line?
Selected filmography highlights: Samson and Delilah (1949), Key Largo (1948, uncredited), Unconquered (1947), Objective, Burma! (1945), Shane (hand double: Alan Ladd - 1953, uncredited), The Ten Commandments (1956), The Mole People (1956), Shalako (1968), Charro! (as Lige), and Son of Geronimo (1952). He appeared frequently on TV westerns such as The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, The Virginian and many others, often portraying chiefs, braves or ethnic characters.
Инструктор, технический советник и мастер‑оружейник
He also was considered the fastest - or one of the fastest - quick draw artists and instructed many Hollywood personalities including Richard Widmark, Charlton Heston, Anthony Quinn, Glenn Ford, Alan Ladd, and Elvis Presley. Redwing gained recognition for his public demonstrations of quick-draw techniques and gun handling, often featuring live ammunition exhibitions that highlighted his proficiency in gun spinning, fast draw, and sharpshooting. In September 1963, he performed such displays at events covered in GUNS Magazine, where his skills as a pioneer in thumbing single-action revolver hammers from holsters were emphasized for enabling rapid firing in Western-style shooting.
All during his acting, stunt double, and technical advisor years to the movie and television industries he was a gunsmith with Stembridge Gun Rentals, the largest and best known firearms rental company in Hollywood. Movies and TV work, public appearances, and charity events kept him busy. As an instructor, Redwing taught fast-draw and weapon proficiency to a wide array of actors during the 1950s and 1960s Western boom, serving as a technical advisor on sets to ensure realistic portrayals of gunplay. Redwing's instructional approach prioritized practical, verifiable skills over theatrical flair, though he incorporated exhibition elements to engage audiences and students alike.
Общественная деятельность, ТВ‑шоу и публичные появляения
Between 1951 and 1967, Redwing appeared in more than a dozen television programs, including a guest appearance on CBS's celebrity quiz show, What's My Line? In 1958, Redwing was a guest on the "I've Got A Secret" TV program. He had publicity appearances such as at the Los Angeles Coliseum in the late 1950's as part of the first Los Angeles Dodgers baseball season. He also made множество телевизионных выступлений в ток‑шоу: The Tonight Show, The Mike Douglas Show, The Merv Griffin Show и другие.
Личное и семейное
Fold3 Military records had his World War II draft registration dated February 14, 1942 - 37 year old Rodric Redwing was born August 24, 1904 in New York City. He and wife Erika lived at 1439 1/2 North Tamarind Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Ancestry.com had the 1942 Voter Registrations for Los Angeles County - Rodric Redwing (occupation "Actor") and Mrs. Erika R. 1950 census summary and census takers worksheet - 45 year old Rodric Redwing (born New York; occupation "Actor - Motion Pictures") and his 38 year old wife Erika (born Germany - occupation "Manicurist") lived at 2022 Pinehurst Road, Los Angeles. Ancestry.com had the 1952, 1954, and 1956 Voter Registrations for Los Angeles County - Rodric Redwing and Mrs. Erika R. Ancestry.com had the California Marriage Index for 55 year old Rodric Redwing and 47 year old Erika R. Wagner, and they married on March 30, 1959 in Los Angeles.
More on Rodd's wife, Erika R. Ancestry.com had documents on Erika R. August 2, 1949 Brooklyn Daily Eagle newspaper article on the career and background of Rodd Redwing. He was only married once. His mother died on the Cherokee Reservation in Oklahoma, USA in 1953. Obituary in the February 28, 1953 Chattanooga, Tennessee Daily Times for Redwing's mother, Lillian Richardson Redwing Taylor. Survivors included "Son, Mr. State of Tennessee Death Certificate for 64? year old Lillian Redwing Richardson Taylor. She passed away February 19, 1953 in Chattanooga, Tennessee from a heart attack. She was a widow; race was Indian; occupation was "Beautician"; and she had lived in Chattanooga for 43 years. Find A Grave has a photo of the marker for Lillian Richardson Redwing (1878 - 1953). Her cremains are interred next to son Rodd Redwing at Hollywood Forever (AKA Beth Olam Cemetery , Hollywood Memorial Cemetery), Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California.
Вопросы о военной службе
Some Redwing biographies mention that he did World War II military service. Found no supporting records on that. We do know that he worked in about ten films during 1942 - 1945. Movies and TV work, public appearances, and charity events kept him busy.
Спор вокруг происхождения и наследия
He fibbed about his Native American lineage. But his Indian persona was dignified and sincere ... and he became a well respected member of the Hollywood movie community. This discrepancy has prompted scrutiny over the fabrication of his ethnic identity, particularly as it bolstered his credibility as a technical advisor and performer in roles portraying or evoking Native Americans, such as in Gunfighters of the Northwest (1954) where he played a Blackfoot chief. Critics, including film historians, contend that such claims exemplify Hollywood's pattern of non-Native individuals appropriating indigenous personas to secure employment and authority in genre films, undermining genuine Native representation during an era when authentic actors were marginalized.
Angela Aleiss, PhD, author of Hollywood's Native Americans: Stories of Identity and Resistance, included research on Native American "pretenders" such as Webb Richardson who became Rodd Redwing. Richardson family info is available in the census for 1910, 1920, and 1930 and a few other records. His full birth name MAY be Ulysses Webb Richardson Jr.
Смерть и память
He was on a movie shoot in Spain for RED SUN (1971) which starred Charles Bronson. On his May 30, 1971 flight home to Los Angeles, he suffered a heart attack and died. The June 2, 1971 issue of Variety reported on his death from a heart attack. Excerpt: " Redwing, a Chickasaw born in N. Y., was stricken en route from London 30 minutes before landing at L. A. International Airport. He was pronounced dead 35 minutes later. Redwing was cremated. Redwing died at age of 66, after appearing in The Red Sun. He suffered a heart attack aboard the flight from Spain and died 35 minutes later, just before the plane landed in Los Angeles. His ashes were urned in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Таблица: ключевые факты
Короткая сводка по документам и ролям
- Реальное имя: Webb Richardson (возможно Ulysses Webb Richardson Jr.)
- Дата рождения: 24 августа 1904 (официальные записи и перечисления различаются)
- Место рождения: Chattanooga, Tennessee (по семейным и переписным данным) / иногда указывается New York City или India в разных записях
- Основные профессии: актёр, оружейный мастер (gunsmith), инструктор по быстрому достава и технический советник
- Известные фильмы: The Ten Commandments (1956), Son of Geronimo (1952), Objective, Burma! (1945), Shane (1953, как дублёр рук), Shalako (1968)
- Телепоявления: What's My Line?, I've Got A Secret, The Tonight Show и др.
- Смерть: сердечный приступ во время рейса из Испании в Лос‑Анджелес, 30 мая 1971
Почему Redwing важен для истории кино
Rodd Redwing сочетал в себе практические навыки и актерский опыт, что сделало его ценным кадром на съёмочных площадках в эпоху, когда вестерны и исторические эпосы требовали реалистичных сцен с оружием. Его вклад как инструктора и технического советника повлиял на образную реализацию стрельбы и сцен с перестрелками в классическом Голливуде. Вместе с тем его пример подчёркивает сложные и болезненные вопросы идентичности и представительства в индустрии: от вымысла происхождения до современных усилий уточнить и исправить архивные ошибки и мифы.
tags: #rodd #redwing #los #diez #mandamientos