January 23, 1898
On this day actor Randolph Scott was born into a life of privilege in Virginia, much closer to “Gone with the Wind” than the craggy Westerners he portrayed on the screen.” (Below, Scott in early movie role)
His rise to one of the top ten
Hollywood earners would have made a good a movie script. Raised in southern affluence, Scott’s burly cowboy image managed to overcome widespread rumors that he and longtime roommate, Cary Grant, were more than buddies.
Educated at private schools, Scott’s father was an engineer with a textile firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, his mother, a member of the state’s prominant Crane family. She reportedly took great stock in her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Magna Carta the Plantagenet Societies.
After serving in the Army in France during WWI, he enrolled at Georgia Tech. He was far more interested in becoming all-American football player than an actor. Sidelined with a back injury, however, he opted to study textile manufacturing. going to work as an accountant at his father’s company.
Testament to his place on the economic A-list, Scott scored his first film role after playing golf with one of the country’s richest young men, Howard Hughes. (Right) But his small part in the 1928 romantic comedy “Sharp Shooters,” didn’t lead to overnight stardom. His lanky good looks apparently weren’t quite enough to get past that pesky acting part.
On the advice of Cecil B. DeMille, he joined the Pasadena Playhouse to improve performances that were often characterized as “mechanical.” It worked. His stage experience was enough to win him screen tests at nearly all the major studios, leading to a seven-year contract with Paramount for a number of Zane Grey remakes.
Scott in the 1960 film, “Commence Station”
Putting to rest his early breezy roles in romantic comedies, by the 1950 Scott’s persona of the stoic Westerner would make him one of the richest stars in Hollywood. Of his more than 100 films, well over half were Westerns. In addition to celebrity, he was reputed to be a savvy investor. At the time of his death his fortune was estimated at over $100 million.
Married twice, Scott’s reputation suffered little with the public over his more than decade long, on-again-off-again living arrangement with Grant. (Left, with Grant) Supporters continued to label the claims nonsense while Hollywood’s disinterested insiders called it an open secret.
In 1962, claiming he was tired of making movies, Scott hung up his spurs following the release of “Ride the High Country.” It was the only role that cast him as a villain.
A life-long Republican, the retired actor campaigned for GOP presidential 
candidate Barry Goldwater and was one of Ronald Reagan’s staunchest allies. Shunning publicity, he retreated to a life of golf and leisure with his second wife, former actress Patricia Stillman (right) and their two adopted children. Writer/producer David Belasco once attributed the quote “Never let yourself be seen in public unless they pay for it” to Scott.
Suffering from heart and lung ailments for the last few years of his life, Scott died on March 2, 1987 at the age of 89. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, inducted into the The Hall of Great Western Performers is part of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1977 and posthumously received the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s Golden Boot Award in 1997.
The Randolph Scott exhibit at the the Museum of Western Film History, Lone Pine, California, includes movie posters, lobby cards, books and correspondence from politicians and fellow actors. Many items are on lone fromRandolph Scott’s daughter, Sandra. The Single Action Army Colt 45s on display, is a gift from Justin Dart. A pair of Scott’s cowboy boots are included along with the Golden Boot Award. 
Admission is $5 for adults. Children under 12, military and museum members are free. From May 1 to October 31, hours are 10 to 6, Monday through Saturday and 10 to 4 on Sunday. From November 1 to April 30, hours are 10 to 5, Monday through Saturday and 10 to 4 Sunday. The museum is closed Christmas, New Years, Easter, July Fourth and Thanksgiving.
For more information go to lonepinefilmhistorymuseum.org, e-mail wrangler@lonepinefilmhistorymuseum.org, call (760) 876-9909 or write The Museum of Western Film History, 701 S. Main Street, Lone Pine, CA 93545.
© Text Only – 2018 – Headin’ West LLC – All photos – public domain or fair use.
*Head On West strives for historic accuracy and uses a number of sources considered reliable. When research differs on significant facts, the various points of view will be cited.