Woody Strode and Bronson

[maphillips3]

These two made one movie I believe called "Once upon A Time In The West", and heard from a friend, that they knew each other off screen. I was wondering if any of you guys know, if either of them have commented about each other in the press? He was a tall black man that, was in "Spartacus" with Kirk Douglas.

[chaney]

Woody Strode was a phenomenal athlete who stood almost 6'5" and weighed about 210 pounds of lean muscle. He rarely lifted weights but did 1,000 pushups and 1,000 deep-knee bends every day. He went to UCLA playing football and was going to go to the Olympics as a track athlete but the 1940 games were cancelled. Woody served in the military during World War II and with his pal Kenny Washington broke the color barrier in the NFL. He played sparingly but ended up becoming a star in the Canadian Football League as a two-way end. He also made a name for himself as a professional wrestler during the 1950's.

Woody appeared sporadically in films until John Ford cast him in the lead part of SGT. ROUTLEDGE in 1960. He was also memorable co-starring in SPARTACUS and THE PROFESSIONALS with Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, and Robert Ryan. He spent many years in Europe as a star during the same period Charlie was over there. Perhaps that's where they got to know one another.

Despite his great physique Woody was known to tip back the bottle and one of his drinking buddies was Lee Marvin. Perhaps he knew Charlie through this mutual acquaintance as well.

[harmonica]

His most memorable performance in the European movies he made, was that in Fernando Di Leo's "La Mala Ordina" a "poliziottesco" that I've not found yet on DVD.

In "The Professionals" he was in amazing shape, he was big and ripped like hell.

[maphillips3]

I just saw the movie 'Spartacus', and was amazed how someone can get a physique during that time, without using steroids!