George Nader

Infobox actor
name = George Nader


imagesize =
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birthname =
birthdate = birth date|1921|10|19|mf=y
birthplace = Pasadena, California, United States
deathdate = death date and age|2002|2|4|1921|10|19|mf=n
deathplace = Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States
othername = George Nadar
occupation =
yearsactive =
spouse =
domesticpartner =
website =
goldenglobeawards = Most Promising Newcomer - Male
1955

George Nader (October 19, 1921 — February 4, 2002) was an American film and television actor. He appeared in a variety of films from 1950 through 1974, including "Phone Call from a Stranger" (1952), "Congo Crossing" (1956), and "The Female Animal" (1957). During this period, he also did episodic television and starred in several television series such as "The Man and the Challenge" (1959–60). However, his best-remembered role may be as "Roy", the hero who saves the world from the clutches of "Ro-man" in the low-budget 3-D sci-fi romp "Robot Monster" (1953).

tage, film and television work

Born in Pasadena, California, Nader began his film career in 1950, after earning his B.A. in theater arts at Occidental College. Nader appeared in several productions at the Pasadena Playhouse. That work led to a number of bit parts in 1951 and '52. His big break was his first starring role, which came in "Robot Monster" (1953), a 3-D feature film directed by Phil Tucker. This role and his rugged good looks won him a Universal Studios contract in the 1950s, and he made a number of films for Universal. In 1955, he won a Golden Globe Award for "Most Promising Newcomer."cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/george-nader-729735.html|title=George Nader|date=2002-02-05|publisher="The Independent" |accessdate=2008-07-06]

Despite this accolade, Nader often found himself struggling in the shadow of more famous leading men, such as Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis, and Jeff Chandler. His films of that period included 1954's "Carnival Story" and "Sins of Jezebel" and 1956's "Away All Boats". He moved into television in the late 1950s, appearing in several short-lived series including "The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen," "Man and the Challenge" and "Shannon." He also appeared frequently on "The Loretta Young Show", a dramatic anthology series.

Personal life

In the mid-1950s, rumors about Nader's private life began to surface. The news reached the editors of a scandal sheet called "Confidential" magazine, which threatened to publish the details of Nader's supposed relationship with Rock Hudson.Fact|date=December 2007 (In fact, Nader's companion was Mark Miller who would later become Hudson's personal secretary.) It was whispered at the time that the studio cut a deal and agreed to fire Nader if the information about Hudson was kept quiet. Whatever the truth, Nader's career in Hollywood was ended. He and Miller moved to Europe, where Nader found steady work in films. A notable role during this period was as U.S. government agent "Jerry Cotton" in a German film series where he became the number two most popular film star in Germany behind Lex Barker.

In the mid-1970s, Nader was involved in a serious auto accident. He suffered an eye injury which made him very sensitive to the bright lights of movie sets.

Writing career

After damage to his eye made it difficult to endure an acting career, Nader began a career as a writer of science fiction. His groundbreaking 1978 novel "Chrome" is probably the first science fiction novel to center on a homosexual love affair, and the first to have substantial homosexual erotic scenes. [cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0DE4D8113CF931A25751C0A9649C8B63|title=George Nader, 80, Actor and Sci-Fi Writer|date=2002-02-12|publisher="New York Times"|accessdate=2008-07-06]

According to "Variety Magazine"'s Army Archerd, Nader had completed a book called "The Perils of Paul", about the gay community in Hollywood, which he did not want published until after his death.cite news|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117860239.html?categoryid=2&cs=1|title=Nader's death another sad finale to a glamorous H'w'd life|last=Archerd|first=Army|date=2002-02-04|publisher="Variety"|accessdate=2008-07-06]

Later life

Nader and Miller eventually returned to the U.S. and settled in Palm Springs, California. Stricken by multiple medical problems, Nader entered the hospital in September, 2001. He died at Woodland Hills, California of cardiac-pulmonary failure, pneumonia, and multiple cerebral infarctions. Nader is survived by Miller, his cousins Sally Kubly and Roberta Cavell, and his nephew, actor Michael Nader.

elected filmography

References

External links

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* [http://www.mst3kinfo.com/rolodex/Nader.html George Nader at Mystery Science Theatre 3000]
* [http://www.glbtq.com/arts/nader_g.html George Nader] on glbtq.com
* [http://www.strangewords.com/archive/chrome.html A review of Nader's novel "Chrome"]
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Persondata
NAME= Nader, George
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Nadar, George
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Actor, writer
DATE OF BIRTH= October 19, 1921
PLACE OF BIRTH= Pasadena, California, United States
DATE OF DEATH= February 4, 2002
PLACE OF DEATH= Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States