Richard Thorpe Biography

Fast Facts

• A Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated to him and his son, Jerry Thorpe, in 2003
• His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame rests at 6101 Hollywood Blvd
• Performed vaudeville onstage early on in his entertainment career
• Led a long career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, working as a director for the studio from 1935 to 1962
• Directed many adventure films, including 1934's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and 1952's "Ivanhoe․"
• His favorite films that he directed were "Night Must Fall" and "Two Girls and a Sailor․"
• Was the original director of "The Wizard Oz," and under his direction Judy Garland wore a blond wig and baby-doll makeup that made her look older than her character in the finished film