Birthday: 11 January 1930, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Birth Name: Rodney Sturt Taylor
Height: 178 cm
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 (Herbert George Wells), the inventor, in George Pal's spectacular The Time Machine (1960). As the movie finished...
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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 (Herbert George Wells), 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's creepy thriller The Birds (1963), the role of Jane Fonda's love interest in Sunday in New York (1963), the title role in John Ford's biopic of Irish playwright Sean O'Casey in Young Cassidy (1965), and a co-starring role in The Train Robbers (1973) with John Wayne. Taylor also appeared as Bette Davis future son-in-law in the well-received film The Catered Affair (1956). He also gave a sterling performance as the German-American Nazi Major trying to fool James Garner in 36 Hours (1964). Later Taylor made 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. Show less «
I'm about the only Australian in movies who doesn't pretend to be something else. Flynn pretended he...Show more »
I'm about the only Australian in movies who doesn't pretend to be something else. Flynn pretended he was American, Finch pretends he's a Pommie, Merle Oberon says she was not born in Tasmania. Show less «
[on The Catered Affair (1956)] The Brooklyn accent I put on during the test so convinced the produce...Show more »
[on The Catered Affair (1956)] The Brooklyn accent I put on during the test so convinced the producers that I was from New York that they cast me as a Bronx boy. They didn't know I was just 18 months out of Australia until the movie was half finished. Show less «
I can fight, and I have, but so help me I haven't hit anybody in 20 years. Not rafts of girls any mo...Show more »
I can fight, and I have, but so help me I haven't hit anybody in 20 years. Not rafts of girls any more, and no wives coming up or thought of. [Ex-]wives are at present costing me $60,000 a year. (1975) Show less «
"Pretending to still be the tough man of action isn't dignified for me any more. There comes a time ...Show more »
"Pretending to still be the tough man of action isn't dignified for me any more. There comes a time when you're over the hill and there are plenty of great looking younger actors who can take your place. The action stars of today are making some wonderful films. There are no 'I could do it better' feelings in me. The younger they come, the better they get. That's why Olympic records are broken." (from a 1987 interview) Show less «
When I arrived at LA airport, to be met by some Hollywood promoters, they were expecting some six fo...Show more »
When I arrived at LA airport, to be met by some Hollywood promoters, they were expecting some six foot, pretty guy. Instead they were shocked to see a five foot ten punk, with a broken nose. Show less «
I want to make movies about Australia to be shown to people all over the world. It annoys me to talk...Show more »
I want to make movies about Australia to be shown to people all over the world. It annoys me to talk to people overseas who are surprised we have not only kangaroos but telephones ... I think I've built up a pretty good international reputation - I'm lucky enough to have some sort of status - and I want to use it to help Australian films. (1968) Show less «
I make love to as many women [as] will let me. If a girl gives me half a chance, I'll bed her down, ...Show more »
I make love to as many women [as] will let me. If a girl gives me half a chance, I'll bed her down, and that's the truth. Show less «