Ted Hartley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ted Hartley
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Ted Hartley in the TV show Chopper One in 1974.
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Theodore Ringwalt Hartley
November 6, 1924 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
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| Alma mater | U.S. Naval Academy Harvard Business School |
| Occupation | Fighter pilot, actor, businessman, film and stage producer |
| Years active | c. 1951–2015 |
| Spouse(s) | |
Ted Hartley (born November 6, 1924) is a man of many talents. Over his long life, he has been a U.S. Navy fighter pilot, an actor, a businessman, and a movie producer. He was the head of the famous movie studio RKO Pictures. He was married to the actress and philanthropist Dina Merrill until she passed away in 2017.
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Early Life and Military Service
Ted Hartley was born in Omaha, Nebraska. As a teenager, he went to Shattuck Military School in Minnesota. He was a great student and earned a spot at the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy when he was only 16.
After training to be a pilot, he became a fighter pilot for the U.S. Navy. He flew jets from aircraft carriers, including the F-11 Tiger jet. He also worked as a presidential aide and helped connect the Navy with the U.S. Congress.
In 1964, his career as a pilot ended after an accident. While trying to land his F9F8 Cougar jet on a carrier, the plane crashed. Hartley was thrown from the jet and broke his back. Because of his injury, he had to retire from the Navy.
A New Path in Business and Hollywood
After leaving the Navy, Hartley didn't slow down. He went to Harvard Business School and started a new career in banking. But soon, Hollywood called.
Acting Career
Hartley became an actor and appeared in the popular 1960s TV show Peyton Place. He also had roles in movies, acting alongside famous stars like Cary Grant, Robert Redford, and Clint Eastwood.
In the 1970s, he starred in the TV series Chopper One, which was about police officers who flew helicopters. After the show ended, Hartley moved to Aspen, Colorado, and focused on other interests.
Leading RKO Pictures
In 1987, Hartley returned to the world of business and entertainment. He and his wife, Dina Merrill, bought a majority share of RKO Pictures in 1991. RKO was a legendary movie studio from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
As the new head of RKO, Hartley led the company in making new movies and TV shows. He also brought the RKO brand to the stage with Broadway musicals. One of their first big movies was the 1998 remake of Mighty Joe Young, made with Disney. In 2025, the company Concord acquired RKO Pictures from Hartley.
Personal Life
Besides his work in film and business, Hartley is dedicated to helping others. In 2013, he became the chairman of Orbis International, a charity that works to prevent blindness around the world.
Hartley is also a talented painter. He is a member of many film and television groups and serves on the boards of several organizations. He celebrated his 100th birthday in November 2024.
Producer Credits
Hartley has produced many movies and stage shows. Here are some of them.
Film
- Barely Lethal
- A Late Quartet
- Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
- Are We Done Yet?
- Laura Smiles
- Shade
- The Gin Game
- The Magnificent Ambersons
- Ritual
- Mighty Joe Young
- Milk & Money
- False Identity
- Women And Men: Stories Of ...
Stage Productions
- Never Gonna Dance (2003)
- Curtains (2007)
- Gypsy (2008)
- 13 (2008)
- Top Hat (2012)
Actor Credits
Hartley appeared in many films throughout his acting career.
Film
- Walk, Don't Run (1966) - Yuri Andreyovitch
- Murderers' Row (1966) - Guard
- Barefoot in the Park (1967) - Frank
- Ice Station Zebra (1968) - Lieutenant Jonathan Hansen
- The Man (1972) - Press Secretary
- High Plains Drifter (1973) - Lewis Belding
- Aloha, Bobby and Rose (1975) - Cop
- Moving Violation (1976) - Prosecutor
- Matilda (1978) - Payne Smith
- Caddyshack II (1988) - Club Member
- False Identity (1990) - Inn Keeper
- The Player (1992) - Party Guest
- Milk & Money (1996) - Lingerie Salesman
- Shade (2003) - 'Teddy' The Surgeon
- Laura Smiles (2005) - Therapist
- Race to Witch Mountain (2009) - Four-Star General V. Lewton
- A Late Quartet (2012) - Winning Bidder
