Broderick Crawford: The Tragic Saga of a Movie Star and his Drinking Troubles

Broderick Crawford, a legendary name in the annals of Hollywood, experienced a fascinating and tumultuous journey. His career was marked by ups and downs, with one constant being his struggles with alcohol. From his iconic roles in the big screen to his low-budget television career, Broderick's life was a blend of success and personal demons.

Early Success and Oscar Glory

Born on January 18, 1909, in Kansas City, Missouri, Broderick Crawford entered the entertainment industry in the late 1930s. Despite numerous small parts in big movies and significant roles in lower-budget films, he broke through with a monumental role in the 1949 film All the King’s Men. Starring as Willie Stark, Crawford’s portrayal was so impactful that he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This win propelled him to stardom, and over the next few years, he appeared in notable films such as Federico Fellini’s Il Bidone in 1955.

The Dark Path of Alcoholism

However, his rise to fame was shadowed by a personal struggle that would haunt him for decades. Crawford battled with alcohol addiction, a condition that affected his career trajectory and personal life. His unrefined appearance and unvarying acting style made it seem unlikely that he would be a long-lasting major star, but his addiction dictated his choices.

From 1955 to 1965, many of Crawford's television roles were with ZIV Television, a production company known for taking on challenging projects. Frederick Ziv, a producer with ZIV, admitted in an interview that he often faced the challenges of working with a hard-living and alcoholic actor. Crawford's alcoholism meant his dialog was kept to a minimum, not for artistic reasons, but because he frequently forgot his lines. To compensate, ZIV often had another actor playing a Highway Patrol officer in each scene to pick up where Crawford might falter. This method led to iconic moments in the show, with backers constantly reminding "Chief, should we set up a roadblock?"

Alcohol-Related Troubles and Struggles for Control

One of the most tragic ironies of Crawford's career was his repeated run-ins with the California Highway Patrol due to drunk driving. His license was suspended several times, and as a result, you would never see Crawford driving a car in the show. It was always one of his officers who would step in and fill in for him, driving the patrol car or picking up his forgotten lines.

The show, although a hit, was ultimately discontinued in 1959 when Crawford decided to seek help for his drinking problem. This battle with addiction was not a one-time event but a recurring struggle. Despite it, Crawford managed to return to entertaining: he hosted Saturday Night Live in 1977 and even appeared as himself in the film A Little Romance in 1979. However, the toll of his alcoholism was undeniable, marking a significant decline in his later years.

Conclusion

Broderick Crawford's story is a poignant reminder of the devastating impact that addiction can have on an individual's life, especially in the entertainment industry. His journey from a rising star to a mid-career alcoholic, and then back again, is a tale that many haunted by addiction can relate to. Despite the challenges, Crawford's career and legacy remain an important part of Hollywood history, a testament to both his talent and his struggles.