Date of Birth

11 January 1930, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Suave and handsome Australian actor who came to Hollywood in the 1950s, and built himself up from a supporting actor into taking the lead in several well remembered movies. Arguably his most fondly remembered role was that as George the inventor in George Pal's spectacular The Time Machine (1960). As the movie finished with George, and his best friend Filby Alan Young seemingly parting forever, both actors were brought back together in 1993 to film a 30 minute epilogue to the original movie! Taylor's virile, matinée idol looks also assisted him in scoring the lead of Mitch Brenner in Alfred Hitchcock creepy thriller The Birds (1963), the lead role of Mike Mitchell in the romantic tale of Sunday in New York (1963) opposite Jane Fonda, another romantic lead opposite Doris Day in The Glass Bottom Boat (1966), and a co-starring role in The Train Robbers (1973) with John Wayne. Taylor also appeared in many westerns and action movies during the 1960s and 1970s; however, none of them were much better than "B pictures" and failed to push his star to the next level. Aditionally, Taylor was cast as the lead in several TV series including "Bearcats!" (1971), "Masquerade" (1983), and "Outlaws" (1986); however, none of them truly ignited viewer interest, and they were canceled after only one or two seasons. Most fans would agree that Rod Taylor's last great role was in the wonderful Australian film The Picture Show Man (1977), about a traveling side show bringing "moving pictures" to remote towns in the Australian outback.

Father: William Sturt Taylor; Mother: Mona Stewart

Father of former CNBC anchor Felicia Taylor.

20th Century-Fox considered him for the astronaut role in 1968's Planet of the Apes (1968) but, perhaps seeking a bigger box office name, gave the part to Charlton Heston.

Played Tarzan in an Australian children's radio serial in the early 1950s.

Good friend of Tippi Hedren.

His second wife Mary Hilem died in May 2009.

Taylor had completely retired from acting when Quentin Tarantino offered him the role of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Inglourious Basterds (2009). At first Taylor declined the part, suggesting that Tarantino should cast Albert Finney (who had played Churchill to great acclaim in The Gathering Storm (2002) (TV)), but eventually the director talked him into it.

Price:  £30.00