Fred Ward

Frederick Joseph "Fred" Ward (born December 30, 1942) is an American actor. He began his career in 1979 alongside Clint Eastwood in Escape from Alcatraz. His notable roles include Southern Comfort, The Right Stuff, Remo Williams, his self-produced movie Miami Blues,Tremors, Henry & June, The Player, Short Cuts, Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult, Tremors II: Aftershocks, Chain Reaction, Road Trip, Management as well as character roles in many action, drama, comedy, thriller, TV and b-movies. Ward also acted in European movies. --- Ward, was born Frederick Joseph Ward in San Diego, California. He is of part Cherokee American Indian descent. Before acting, Ward spent three years in the United States Air Force. He was also a boxer (breaking his nose three times) and worked as a lumberjack in Alaska. Ward became an actor after studying at Herbert Berghof Studio and in Rome. While in Italy, he dubbed Italian movies and worked as a mime until he made his debut in two Roberto Rossellini films. Upon returning stateside in the early 1970s, Ward spent time working in experimental theater and doing some television work. He made his first American film appearance playing a cowboy in Hearts of the West (1975). His first major role came in the Clint Eastwood vehicle Escape from Alcatraz (1979) as fellow escapee John Anglin. He was also notable as a violent National Guardsman in Walter Hill's Southern Comfort (1981). His first starring role in a motion picture was Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann (1982). He then starred as astronaut Gus Grissom in The Right Stuff, in the action movie Uncommon Valor with Gene Hackman and in the drama Silkwood (all 1983). --- Ward is divorced from Silvia Ward and is currently married to Marie-France Ward. He also has one son and lives in Venice, CA.