Glenn Ford: 1916-2006

Actor Glenn Ford, pictured at the American Cinema Awards in Los Angeles Jan. 27, 1990, played strong, thoughtful protagonists in films such as "The Blackboard Jungle," "Gilda" and "The Big Heat." A product of Hollywood's studio system, he died Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006. He was 90.

This is a 1947 file photo of the actor Glenn Ford in costume for his role in the movie "The Loves of Carmen". He is shown sitting on the motorcycle he used to travel to and from location. Ford 's 1939 screen test won him a contract with Columbia Studios, but his career was interrupted by World War II, when he served in the military.

Debbie Reynolds, left, Gina Lollobrigida, and Glenn Ford chat in this April 22, 1959, file photo. After appearing with Rita Hayworth in 1946's noir film "Gilda," Glenn became a leading man and his career took off.

This undated photo provided by MGM shows Glenn Ford and Debbie Reynolds during a scene from the movie "It Started With A Kiss." During his 50-year career, Ford appeared in more than 100 films, often playing an everyday hero. In 1958, he was named the number one Hollywood box-office attraction.

In this 1975 photo, Glenn Ford, center, as Adm. Spruance, poses with Henry Fonda, left, portraying Adm. Nimitz, and Robert Mitchum as Adm. Bull Halsey, in a scene from the film "Midway." Best known for his roles in westerns, Ford was inducted in 1978 into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame by the Western Heritage Museum.

Glenn Ford and Rita Hayworth go see his latest film "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" in this March 6, 1963, file photo. He appeared in five films with Hayworth.

Actor Glenn Ford is seen at home in this 1981 photo taken by his wife at the time, Cynthia Hayward Ford. Married and divorced four times, Ford has a son, actor Peter Ford, by his first wife, Eleanor Powell.

This 1998 family photo shows actor Glenn Ford in retirement. Ford, who suffered from circulatory problems, retired in 1991. He was in such frail health that he could not attend a 90th birthday party for him in May in Hollywood.