Samuel Laird Cregar (July 28, 1913 – December 9, 1944) was an American
stage and film actor.[4]
Cregar was best known for his villainous performances in films such as I
Wake Up Screaming and The Lodger. Queer Places:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA, Plot Eventide Section, lot 37, space 2
Samuel Laird Cregar (July 28, 1913 – December 9, 1944) was an American
stage and film actor.[4]
Cregar was best known for his villainous performances in films such as I
Wake Up Screaming and The Lodger.
Cregar's screen career began in 1940 working as an extra in films. By 1941, he had signed a film contract with 20th Century Fox. Cregar quickly rose to stardom, appearing in a variety of genres from screwball comedy to horror. He was a popular actor until his death in 1944 at the age of 31.
The crash diet that Cregar followed for his role in The Lodger (which included prescribed amphetamines) placed a strain on his system, resulting in severe abdominal problems. He underwent surgery in December 1944.[21] It was intended that Cregar's next film would be Les Misérables, directed by John Brahm,[22] and Billy Rose wanted to star him on Broadway in Henry VIII. A few days after surgery, Cregar had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.[23] He rallied briefly when put in an oxygen tent, but died on December 9, aged 31 years. His mother was at his bedside.[8][24] Hangover Square was released two months after his death.
The funeral was held on December 13, 1944.[25] Vincent Price, Cregar's co-star in his first film Hudson's Bay (1941), delivered the eulogy. Cregar is interred in Eventide Section, lot 37, space 2 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.[26] His estate was valued at $10,000.[27]
On February 8, 1960, Cregar received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the motion pictures industry, at 1716 Vine Street.[28][29]
