Richard Derr

Made famous by his starring role in the 1951 sci-fi disaster flick "When Worlds Collide," versatile actor Richard Derr was among Hollywood's foremost performers in the 1940s and '50s. The native Pennsylvanian was a high school wunderkind: star of plays, editor of the newspaper, and vice-president of the senior class. Though Derr kicked around the East Coast for years afterward in local theater, it wasn't long before a talent scout scooped him up. His gift was so apparent that he upstaged a young actress during her screen test; the producer reviewing the footage wanted to know who was holding the cue cards. Derr made his Hollywood debut with a small speaking role in the 1941 detective comedy "Charlie Chan in Rio." He impressed with what little material he had to work with, and was subsequently hired to play friend to the legendary sleuth in "Castle in the Desert," the next Chan picture. Derr dropped acting to support his country during World War II, but was welcomed with open arms upon return. He nabbed a role as a knight in the Ingrid Bergman-led production of "Joan of Arc" and put his wartime flying experience to use in "When Worlds Collide" as a heroic pilot. Derr divided his time over the next few decades, appearing in roles both small and large in film and television, while keeping an active profile on the stage. He retired from acting in 1983.