Wissenswertes

In marked contrast to his screen persona as a ruthless, merciless, even psychotic killer, he was a passionate gardener, was active in the PTA at his children's school, and was a Scoutmaster for the local Boy Scout troop.

After suffering a heart attack while playing basketball at a picnic, he was advised to go into a profession less pressure-filled than the advertising job he had, so he chose acting.

He was bedridden for almost a year after suffering a heart attack in his late 20s.

In his senior year at Cornell, where he was an English major, he was elected president of the dramatic society, succeeding Franchot Tone.

HIs first professional job was as a walk-on in "Dead End" in 1935. He had asked the author, former classmate Sidney Kingsley, for a job. Duryea eventually replaced Huntz Hall in the cast.

While working on the stage in New York City, he made his film debut in an uncredited bit in El tango en Broadway (1934); about 33 minutes into the film, he asks Laurita to dance, and a few moments later brings her back to her table and thanks her. Even though the film is primarily Spanish speaking, all his dialogue is in English, since the scene takes place at a New York City nightclub.

Left his newspaper and magazine clippings and scrapbooks to USC's Ethel Barrymore's Library of the Performing Arts.

Co-starred with son Peter Duryea in two of his later films, both Westerns: Taggart (1964) and Colorado Saloon 12 Uhr 10 (1965).

Father of Peter Duryea.

In Winchester 73 (1950) he played Waco Johnnie Dean, the nemesis of the protagonist, Lin McAdams. In the made-for-TV remake, Winchester 73 (1967), he played Bart McAdams.

Interred at Forest Lawn (Hollywood Hills), Los Angeles, CA.

Father of Richard Duryea, born July 14, 1942.

He was the celebrity spokesman for Blatz Beer.