Born: May 3, 1933 – Died: August 9, 2021
Alex Cord, born Alexander Viespi, Jr., in Floral Park, New York, in 1933, emerged as a resilient and captivating figure in the entertainment industry. His early life was marked by a formidable challenge: at the age of 12, Cord was stricken with polio, resulting in a prolonged hospitalization. However, his indomitable spirit saw him through this adversity, and after undergoing therapy on a Wyoming ranch, he not only overcame the illness but also pursued his dream of becoming a professional horseman.
Early Life and Career
Cord's path to stardom was unconventional. A high school dropout, he initially aspired to be a jockey but eventually joined the rodeo circuit, exhibiting his talents as a bull rider and horseman. His life took a significant turn following a severe injury at a rodeo event, leading him to reassess his future. This introspection steered him towards completing his high school education and later earning a degree in literature from New York University.
Cord's foray into acting began with training at the Actors Studio, followed by performances in summer stock and at the American Shakespeare Festival. His skill and presence on stage in Stratford, Connecticut, garnered attention, leading to opportunities in London, where he shone in plays like "Play With a Tiger" and "The Rose Tattoo," earning acclaim from the London Critics' Circle.
Cord's transition to Hollywood was facilitated by his equestrian skills. He found steady roles in various western TV series and eventually rose to prominence with his role in the iconic series "Airwolf," portraying the enigmatic Michael Coldsmith Briggs III, also known as Archangel. This role, along with his performances in films such as "CIA Code Name: Alexa" and "Chosen Survivors," solidified his status in the industry.
Beyond acting, Cord was passionate about charity work, especially involving horses. He was instrumental in founding the Chukkers for Charity Celebrity Polo Team and chaired "Ahead with Horses," a therapeutic riding program. Cord also explored writing, publishing several novels and screenplays.
Cord's personal life saw its shares of highs and lows, including three marriages and the tragic loss of his son, Damien Zachary Cord. His dedication to his craft, resilience in the face of adversity, and contributions to philanthropy left an indelible mark on Hollywood, making him a respected and memorable figure in the entertainment industry.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Fire from Below | General Mark 'Stonewall' Jackson |
| 2001 | Air Rage (Video) | General Harlan Prescott |
| 1996 | University Blues (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1996 | High Tide (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1995 | Walker, Texas Ranger (TV Series) | Larry Curtis |
| 1995 | Biography (TV Series) | Additional voices (voice) |
| 1995 | Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (TV Series) | Gary Bennett |
| 1995 | High Sierra Search and Rescue (TV Series) | Marshal D.J. Stone |
| 1995 | Hologram Man (Video) | Governor Hampton |
| 1993 | To Be the Best (Video) | Jack Rodgers |
| 1992 | The Naked Truth | Herskovitz |
| 1992 | CIA Code Name: Alexa | Victor Mahler |
| 1992 | Roots of Evil | Jake |
| 1989–1992 | Jake and the Fatman (TV Series) | Wade Kelleher | Wallace Cogan |
| 1991 | Joey Takes a Cab | Unknown |
| 1990 | A Girl to Kill For | Mike | Wino |
| 1990 | Street Asylum | Capt. Bill Quinton |
| 1989 | Mission: Impossible (TV Series) | Daniel Travers |
| 1989 | Freddy's Nightmares (TV Series) | The General |
| 1988 | Monsters (TV Series) | John Thunston |
| 1988 | War of the Worlds (TV Series) | Marcus Madison Mason |
| 1988 | Simon & Simon (TV Series) | Roland Vicente | Harry Lubash |
| 1988 | The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal Mission (TV Movie) | Dravko Demchuk |
| 1987 | Uninvited (Video) | Walter Graham |
| 1987 | The Law and Harry McGraw (TV Series) | Alec Harris |
| 1986 | Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) | Preston Bartholomew |
| 1984–1986 | Airwolf (TV Series) | Michael Coldsmith Briggs III | Archangel |
| 1984 | Hotel (TV Series) | Preston Dwyer |
| 1984 | Jungle Warriors | Nick Spilotro |
| 1984 | Airwolf (TV Movie) | Michael Coldsmith Briggs III |
| 1980–1984 | Fantasy Island (TV Series) | Paul Horner | Ra-Mas | Captain Juan Arguello ... |
| 1982 | Cassie & Co. (TV Series) | Mike Holland |
| 1981 | Goliath Awaits (TV Mini Series) | Dr. Sam Marlowe |
| 1981 | Best of Friends (TV Movie) | Bill |
| 1979–1981 | The Love Boat (TV Series) | Hank Welker | Mr. Barrett |
| 1979 | Beggarman, Thief (TV Movie) | Evans Kinsella |
| 1978 | W.E.B. (TV Series) | Jack Kiley |
| 1977 | Grayeagle | Grayeagle |
| 1977 | Have I Got a Christmas for You (TV Movie) | Dan Levine |
| 1977 | Sidewinder 1 | Packard Gentry |
| 1977 | Fire (TV Movie) | Dr. Alex Wilson |
| 1976 | The Six Million Dollar Man (TV Series) | Dave Harraway |
| 1976 | Police Woman (TV Series) | Bass |
| 1976 | The Quest (TV Series) | McWhorley |
| 1973–1976 | Police Story (TV Series) | Officer Jackson Holt | William Allen | Bill Stryker - The Cowboy ... |
| 1976 | Joe Forrester (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1975 | Matt Helm (TV Series) | Gallagher |
| 1975 | Inn of the Damned | Cal Kincaid |
| 1974 | Born Free (TV Series) | Paul Morgan - The Vet |
| 1974 | Chosen Survivors | Steven Mayes |
| 1973 | The F.B.I. (TV Series) | Haynes |
| 1973 | Genesis II (TV Movie) | Dylan Hunt |
| 1972 | Insight (TV Series) | Tom Slade |
| 1972 | Mission: Impossible (TV Series) | Peter Cordel |
| 1972 | Gunsmoke (TV Series) | Pete Brown |
| 1972 | The Dead Are Alive! | Jason Porter |
| 1971 | The Tell-Tale Heart (Short) | The Murderer |
| 1971 | Night Gallery (TV Series) | Erik Sutton (segment: Keep in Touch - We'll Think of Something) |
| 1970 | The Last Grenade | Kip Thompson |
| 1969 | Stiletto | Count Cesare Cardinali |
| 1968 | The Brotherhood | Vince Ginetta |
| 1967 | A Minute to Pray, a Second to Die | Clay McCord |
| 1967 | The Scorpio Letters (TV Movie) | Joe Christopher |
| 1967 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | Lucky Paxton |
| 1966 | *Stagecoach* | Ringo Kid |
| 1965 | Synanon | Zankie Albo |
| 1965 | Branded (TV Series) | Jed Colbee |
| 1963–1964 | Route 66 (TV Series) | Michael Tiffin | Rick Decatur | Jack (as Alex Viespi) ... |
| 1964 | East Side/West Side (TV Series) | Sam (as Alex Viespi) |
| 1964 | ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) | Alvaro (as Alex Viespi) |
| 1963 | BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series) | Jerry Rogers (as Alex Viespi) |
| 1962–1963 | Naked City (TV Series) | Dick Wilkes | Nicholas Kovar (as Alex Viespi) |
| 1963 | The Doctors and the Nurses (TV Series) | Dr. Brian (as Alex Viespi) |
| 1963 | Alcoa Premiere (TV Series) | Tomas Caliban (as Alex Viespi) |
| 1963 | Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series) | Juri Mishukov |
| 1962 | The Chapman Report | Bardelli (uncredited) |
| 1962 | Cain's Hundred (TV Series) | Larry Rome (as Alex Viespi) |
| 1961 | Frontier Circus (TV Series) | Nino Sanchez (as Alex Viespi) |
| 1961 | Ben Casey (TV Series) | Frank Paulson (as Alex Viespi) |
| 1961 | Laramie (TV Series) | John Sanford (as Alex Viespi) |
General:
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
