Richard Whorf


Richard Whorf was an American actor, writer and film director.

Life and acting career

Whorf was born in Winthrop, Massachusetts to Harry and Sarah Whorf. His older brother was linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf. Whorf began his acting career on the Boston stage as a teenager, then moved to Broadway at age 21, debuting there in The Banshee. He played a famous painter who had resorted to drinking in the 1960 episode "The Illustrator" of The Rifleman, starring Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford.

Directing career

He began his film directing career with the 1942 short subject March On, America and the 1944 feature film Blonde Fever.
He directed a number of television programs in the 1950s and 1960s, including early episodes of Gunsmoke, the entire second season of My Three Sons, and 67 episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. He directed the short-lived series Border Patrol and the 1964–1965 ABC sitcom Mickey, starring Mickey Rooney. In the summer of 1960, he guest-starred in one episode of and directed other segments of the short-lived western series Tate, and he helmed episodes of the 1961–1962 CBS sitcom Father of the Bride, starring Leon Ames.
Whorf directed the unsuccessful 1961 stage comedy Julia, Jake and Uncle Joe.

Personal life

In 1929, Whorf married Margaret H. Smith. He was a brother of Benjamin Lee Whorf, known for being a linguist, and John Whorf, an artist.

Partial filmography

As actor

Midnight – Arthur WeldonBlues in the Night – Jigger PineYankee Doodle Dandy – Sam HarrisJuke Girl – Danny FrazierKeeper of the Flame – Clive KerndonAssignment in Brittany – Jean KerenorThe Cross of Lorraine – FrançoisThe Impostor – Lt. VarenneChristmas Holiday – Simon FenimoreBlonde Fever – Chef Chain Lightning – Carl TroxellThe Groom Wore Spurs – Film Director Richard Whorf

As director

Blonde Fever The Hidden Eye The Sailor Takes a Wife Till the Clouds Roll By It Happened in Brooklyn Love from a Stranger Luxury Liner Champagne for Caesar The Groom Wore Spurs

As producer

The Burning Hills Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend