Another of my favorite actors has passed away. Bradford Dillman, a handsome actor who could portray a good guy or a villain. I remember him in two films, Francis of Assisi and Escape from the Planet of the Apes.
He was not a major Hollywood star, but he was a fan favorite to anyone who saw his films.
He brought to the screen such a genuine feeling of joy and innocence to the role of St. Francis. He co-starred with Dolores Hart, who is now a professed religious. The movie was not the best Hollywood biopic about a saint, but it did influence me in finding out more about him as a child. Dillman's performance was devout and wonderful.
In Escape from the Planet of the Apes he portrayed animal psychologist Lewis Dixon who befriends the apes from the future, Cornelius and Zira. Kind and sensitive and exactly how a person who devotes a life to the study of animals was his portrayal; much like St. Francis. He made a great pairing with Natalie Trundy as the human counterparts of the the apes.
He did portray white collar villains in other films and TV, but I shall always remember Bradford Dillman as a kind-hearted, wonderful human being. Rest in peace and thank you for entertaining all of us!
