James Marshall Thompson (November 27, 1925 â€" May 18, 1992) was an
American film and television actor.Thompson was born in Peoria,
Illinois. He and his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Laurence B. Thompson, moved
to California when he was one year old. He attended University High
School where he was a classmate of Norma Jean Baker, later to be known
worldwide as Marilyn Monroe. Thompson enrolled at Occidental College
with plans to become a dentist, but he switched to divinity studies.In
1943, Thompson, known for his boy-next-door good looks, was signed by
Universal Pictures. He played quiet, thoughtful teens in Universal's
feature films, including a lead opposite singing star Gloria Jean in
Reckless Age, earning $350 weekly. During 1946, Universal discharged
most of its contract players, so that same year Thompson moved over to
MGM. His film roles steadily increased and improved with appearances
in The Clock and the lead in Gallant Bess, MGM's first film shot in
Cinecolor.At the age of 24, Thompson narrated the storyline in Stars
in My Crown (1950). He became a freelance actor during the 1950s and
worked for various studios on a variety of pictures, including a
number of horror and science fiction films. This included the role of
Carruthers in It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958), one of the two
films that would later inspire the plot for director Ridley Scott's
1979 big-budget feature Alien. Thompson also starred in the
short-lived (13-episodes) 1959 syndicated science fiction TV series
World of Giants. The drama follows Mel Hunter, a U. S.
counter-espionage agent, accidentally miniaturized to just six inches
in height, who must live in a dollhouse when not on
missions.:1196-1197
American film and television actor.Thompson was born in Peoria,
Illinois. He and his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Laurence B. Thompson, moved
to California when he was one year old. He attended University High
School where he was a classmate of Norma Jean Baker, later to be known
worldwide as Marilyn Monroe. Thompson enrolled at Occidental College
with plans to become a dentist, but he switched to divinity studies.In
1943, Thompson, known for his boy-next-door good looks, was signed by
Universal Pictures. He played quiet, thoughtful teens in Universal's
feature films, including a lead opposite singing star Gloria Jean in
Reckless Age, earning $350 weekly. During 1946, Universal discharged
most of its contract players, so that same year Thompson moved over to
MGM. His film roles steadily increased and improved with appearances
in The Clock and the lead in Gallant Bess, MGM's first film shot in
Cinecolor.At the age of 24, Thompson narrated the storyline in Stars
in My Crown (1950). He became a freelance actor during the 1950s and
worked for various studios on a variety of pictures, including a
number of horror and science fiction films. This included the role of
Carruthers in It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958), one of the two
films that would later inspire the plot for director Ridley Scott's
1979 big-budget feature Alien. Thompson also starred in the
short-lived (13-episodes) 1959 syndicated science fiction TV series
World of Giants. The drama follows Mel Hunter, a U. S.
counter-espionage agent, accidentally miniaturized to just six inches
in height, who must live in a dollhouse when not on
missions.:1196-1197
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