Christopher George

Appeared as the centerfold in Playgirl magazine's June 1974 issue.

He became a great friend of John Wayne also in Chisum (1970).

He later starred in the science fiction series The Immortal (1969) and then returned to filmmaking.

Appeared with his brother, Nick George, in the TV episode The Rat Patrol: The Field of Death Raid (1968).

Even though he was a heavy drinker and frequent smoker of cigars both on and off camera. His fatal 1983 heart attack stemmed from a January 4, 1967 mishap on the set of The Rat Patrol (1966). While filming a chase scene, George's jeep flipped over pinning the actor beneath the vehicle. George sustained a concussion as well as a muscle tear to his neck and chest which included a cardiac contusion. The injury to his heart never properly healed and scar tissue subsequently developed on his heart.

Solidly built, boyishly handsome American leading-man, Christopher George was the son of Greek immigrants. Weaned on stories of the legendary Greek heroes, George and his brother Nick (later a prominent fashion photographer) both quit high school to join the Marines. Completing his education after his tour of duty, George acted in numerous TV commercials, winning a New York Film Festival Award for his efforts. Appearing in Broadway plays like A Street Car Named Desire and films like Howard Hawks's El Dorado (1966).

George also became a TV star in the wartime adventure series The Rat Patrol (1966).

Worked as a print model for ads in the early to mid-sixties. One such appearance is in the October 1964 issue of Playboy, on the inside front cover, for Van Heusen 417 shirts.

His first duty station was Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station, Quantico, Virginia. In April 1950, he transferred to Aircraft Engineering Squadron 12 (AES-12), also located at Quantico. AES-12 maintained the aircraft for school pilots and also used them as a demonstration squadron for members of the United States Congress, demonstrating new rockets and bombs. While assigned to AES-12, George Rose to the rank of sergeant.

Enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) on 13 October 1948, at Jacksonville, Florida, at age 17. He lied about his age on his recruitment form by giving his year of birth as 1929, which then stuck with him for most of his adult life.