Buster Crabbe Biography

Fast Facts

• During his career as a swimmer, he earned 16 world records and 35 national records and won a gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle event at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics
• Earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California
• Began his career as an actor after a talent scout from Paramount Pictures screen-tested him after the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics
• Appeared in several space and adventure films during the 1930s and 1940s, including a role as the Lion Man in "King of the Jungle" in 1933
• Quote: "(On his split-second gold medal win at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics): "My life was entirely changed because of one-tenth of a second․ Nothing was ever the same again․""
• Best known as an athlete and actor who starred in the "Flash Gordon" and "Buck Rogers" serials
• Continued to be involved in business until his final days, particularly with Cascade Industries, which made Buster Crabbe swimming pools
• Toured the U․S․ and Europe with Buster Crabbe's Aquacade after starring in Billy Rose's Aquacade at the 1940 World's Fair
• Was on the organizing committee for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and also gave lectures to the U․S․ Olympic team