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Rodd Redwing
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Roderic Redwing (born Webb Richardson; August 24, 1904 – May 29, 1971) was an American trickshooter, stunt performer, and actor known for his work in Western films. He was known as a top gun, knife, tomahawk, whip, and drill instructor in the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Key Information

Though he presented himself as Chickasaw Native American, he was actually African American without any known Indigenous ancestry, a fact not widely revealed until after his death.

Biography

[edit]

Redwing was born Webb Richardson on August 24, 1904, to Black parents in Tennessee.[1] His father, Ulysses William Richardson (b. 1873), was an elevator man. His mother, Lillian Webb (b. 1878), was a manicurist and hairdresser.[2] Lillian divorced her husband William in 1920.[3] Webb moved to New York City to attend New York University and pursue a career in acting; he appeared in the 1929 musical Malinda in Greenwich Village, with a cast of African American performers.[4]

Native American persona

[edit]

Webb later changed his name to Roderic "Rodd" Redwing, adopted a fictitious Native-American identity (a phenomenon sometimes now referred to as Pretendian), and reported his birthplace as New York City. Such a deception was not uncommon in early 20th-century America, where Chief Buffalo Child Long Lance (born Sylvester Clark Long) had fooled New York high society.[5] Redwing claimed that his mother was from a Chickasaw reservation in Oklahoma, and that his father was a stage actor. Some sources reported that he used the Hindi-sounding name Roderick Rajpurkaii, Jr., and said his father was a Brahmin mind reader from India.[6]

Career in Hollywood

[edit]

As Redwing, he was one of the top gun, knife, tomahawk, and whip instructors in Hollywood. After claiming that he began in films in Cecil B. DeMille’s 1931 Western The Squaw Man (although no cast list shows that he acted in that movie), Redwing soon became a gun-handling coach to Alan Ladd, Ronald Reagan, Burt Lancaster, Glenn Ford, Richard Widmark, Anthony Quinn, Charlton Heston, Dean Martin, Fred MacMurray, and many other actors. He performed Alan Ladd's fancy gunspinning seen in the film Shane during the climatic showdown.

Between 1951 and 1967, Redwing appeared in more than a dozen television programs, including a guest appearance on the CBS celebrity quiz show, What's My Line?. He played the role of Mr. Brother, a Cheyenne friend and informer of Marshal Wyatt Earp's, in eight episodes of the television series The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp.[7][8]

Death

[edit]

After filming his part in Red Sun, Redwing died at the age of 66. On a flight from Spain to Los Angeles, he suffered a heart attack and died 35 minutes later, just before the plane landed. The urn containing his ashes was buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Filmography

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rodd Redwing

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Rodd Redwing (born Webb Richardson; August 24, 1904 – May 29, 1971) was an American stunt performer, , and weapons expert renowned for his quick-draw proficiency with , knives, and tomahawks in Western films and television productions. Redwing claimed Native American heritage, but subsequent investigations have cast doubt on this assertion, indicating instead that he was of African American descent with parents named Lillian and Ulysses Richardson. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he served as a technical advisor on firearms and blade techniques for over 300 feature films and television episodes, while also performing stunts and acting in roles such as Native American characters, lawmen, and villains. His notable screen appearances included uncredited parts in classics like (1948), (1954), and The Ten Commandments (1956), as well as more prominent stunt work in Westerns. Redwing died of a heart attack in 1971, leaving a legacy as one of Hollywood's premier quick-draw artists, demonstrated publicly on shows like I've Got a Secret.

Early Life and Background

Birth and Family Origins

Rodd Redwing was born Webb Richardson on August 24, 1904, in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. His parents were Ulysses W. Richardson, born around 1873 in Tennessee, and Lillian Richardson, born around 1878 in Tennessee; both were African American. The 1910 United States Census recorded the five-year-old Webb Richardson living with his parents in Chattanooga, confirming the family's residence there at the time. Later in life, Redwing adopted the stage name Roderic "Rodd" Redwing, but census and biographical records identify his birth name and African American family origins in Tennessee.

Initial Exposure to Performing Arts

Redwing's father, Ulysses Redwing, was a professional stage actor whose career provided the young Rodd with direct immersion in theatrical performance from an early age. Born in on August 24, 1904, Redwing accompanied his family on international tours, including extended stays in where his father's troupe performed. During this period, he attended Westminster Grammar School in , balancing formal education with proximity to live stage productions that showcased techniques, audience interaction, and the logistics of touring shows. This familial environment fostered Redwing's foundational understanding of the , exposing him to scripted dialogue, character portrayal, and the demands of live without formal training. Upon returning to the , he drew on these experiences to secure initial stage roles in , marking his transition from observer to participant in professional theater. These early credits, though minor, honed his skills in dramatic expression and set the stage for his later ventures into film and stunts, emphasizing practical apprenticeship over academic study.

Heritage and Identity Claims

Assertions of Native American and Mixed Ancestry

Redwing asserted that his mother was and hailed from a reservation in , while his father was a traveling stage , forming the basis of his claimed mixed Native American heritage. These self-reported details positioned him as an authentic representative of Indigenous traditions, particularly in demonstrations of , knife-throwing, and quick-draw techniques rooted in purported tribal . Contemporary accounts, including his 1971 obituary in Variety, reinforced these claims by describing him as a born in , which he leveraged to secure roles and advisory positions in Hollywood Westerns during through . He occasionally elaborated on a multicultural background, with some reports attributing paternal ties to Indian (South Asian) origins, such as a performer, suggesting a blend of Native American and East Indian ancestry. However, these assertions lack corroboration from primary records; U.S. Census data from 1940 lists his birthplace as under the name Roderick Redwing, aligning with fabricated elements of his rather than verifiable . No documented evidence, such as tribal enrollment or family , substantiates descent, and the claims appear crafted to enhance his marketability as a cultural in an era when Hollywood sought "exotic" expertise for authenticity.

Evidence of African American Heritage

Rodd Redwing, born Webb Richardson on August 24, 1904, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was documented in U.S. Census records as part of an African American family. His parents, Ulysses William Richardson and Lillian Webb Richardson, were both listed as Black or Mulatto in federal censuses, with occupations reflecting urban working-class roles common among African Americans in early 20th-century Tennessee. Ulysses worked as an elevator operator before becoming a barber, while Lillian was employed as a hairdresser and manicurist. The 1910 U.S. for Chattanooga's 9th Ward enumerates five-year-old Webb Richardson living at 517 Georgia Avenue with his parents and siblings, explicitly recording the family's race as . By the 1920 , 15-year-old Ulysses W. Richardson Jr. (aligning with Webb's documented family naming) resided with his father, a , and the household was classified as . These , derived from official enumerations, provide primary genealogical evidence of African American lineage, corroborated by later into Redwing's pre-Hollywood life in New York and . No contradictory primary documents indicate otherwise regarding his racial classification in these formative years.

Implications of the Persona in Hollywood Context

Redwing's assumption of a Chickasaw Native American identity enabled him to secure roles portraying Indigenous characters and performing stunts in dozens of Hollywood Westerns, circumventing the acute racial barriers that restricted African American actors to stereotypical domestic or comedic parts during the Jim Crow era. Born Webb Richardson to African American parents Ulysses and Lillian in 1904, he arrived in Hollywood in and marketed himself as an "authentic" expert in frontier skills, which aligned with industry demands for performers who could embody "savage" or warrior archetypes without the full exclusion faced by talent. This strategic , shared by other hired as Native extras, exploited Hollywood's indifference to verifying Indigenous heritage amid widespread non-Native for such roles. In practice, the identity amplified Redwing's marketability as a quick-draw instructor and technical advisor, where he trained white actors like Don Murray for rifle handling in films such as Bus Stop (1956), infusing scenes with credible gunplay derived from his self-developed techniques rather than tribal traditions. His unchallenged claims during a career active until his death in 1971 contributed to the perpetuation of inauthentic representations, as studios prioritized visual exoticism and action proficiency over genealogical accuracy, a pattern evident in the era's production of over 100 Westerns annually that routinely miscast minorities. While this afforded economic survival—evidenced by his billing in major pictures like Flaming Star (1960)—it exemplified causal trade-offs in a discriminatory system: individual advancement at the expense of collective Indigenous visibility, with no documented pushback from Native actors or tribes at the time. Posthumous genealogical scrutiny, including census records confirming his parents' African American lineage without Indigenous ties, highlights how such impersonations evaded exposure in an industry reliant on self-reported ethnicities for expediency. This case illustrates broader Hollywood dynamics from to , where ethnic fluidity served production needs but reinforced stereotypes, as African American performers like Redwing filled "Indian" quotas without displacing actual Natives, who comprised less than 1% of bit players despite comprising roles in every major Western. The persona's implications extend to technical legacies, as Redwing's innovations in fast-draw mechanics influenced standards, yet underscore the ethical opacity of identity-based hiring in pre-civil rights cinema.

Career Development

Entry into Film and Stage

Redwing initiated his professional performing career on the Broadway stage in New York City during the 1920s, following his relocation there to pursue acting opportunities. He earned credits in productions such as The Bad Man, co-starring Holbrook Blinn, and Queen of Sheba alongside Greta Wilson, reflecting his early involvement in theatrical roles that leveraged his athletic background and stage presence. These appearances provided initial exposure in a competitive environment, where he reportedly commanded a weekly salary of $125 for The Bad Man. Transitioning to film, Redwing relocated to Hollywood in the early , debuting on screen in Cecil B. DeMille's 1931 Western remake The Squaw Man, where he portrayed the brother of Lupe Vélez's character. This entry aligned with the era's demand for versatile performers in , particularly Westerns, though subsequent cast verifications for the production remain limited. His initial film engagements emphasized character roles suited to his physicality and emerging expertise in weaponry, laying groundwork for combined and technical contributions. By the late , around 1938 or 1939, he expanded into technical advising on gun handling for productions, bridging stage-honed performance skills with cinematic demands.

Acting Roles in Major Productions

Rodd Redwing secured acting roles in various Hollywood productions, predominantly in Westerns and adventure films where he often depicted Native American or ethnic characters. His appearances ranged from uncredited bit parts to credited supporting roles in films featuring prominent stars. In the classic film noir Key Largo (1948), directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, Redwing played the role of John Osceola, a Seminole character involved in the plot's criminal elements. Later, in the science fiction horror Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), he appeared uncredited as Louis, contributing to the expedition scenes amid the film's Amazonian setting. Redwing's role in the biblical epic The Ten Commandments (1956), directed by , included credited performances as a Taskmaster and a Hebrew at the , within a cast led by and . In Flaming Star (1960), a Western starring , he portrayed an Indian Warrior, aligning with the film's exploration of cultural tensions. Further credits include Lige in the Elvis Presley vehicle Charro! (1969), where he supported the lead in a tale of redemption and gunfighting, and Chato's Father in (1968), a Western adventure with and . His final film role came in (1971), an international Western co-starring and Toshirō Mifune, as a Bandit on the Engine.
FilmYearRoleNotes
The Ten Commandments1956Taskmaster / Hebrew at Credited; epic production with major stars.
Charro!1969LigeCredited; starring .
1954LouisUncredited.
1960Indian WarriorWestern genre.
Shalako1968Chato's FatherAdventure Western.

Stunt Performance and Technical Expertise

![Publicity Photo of Rodd Redwing][float-right] Rodd Redwing contributed to stunt work in over 300 feature films and television productions, often doubling for actors in action sequences involving firearms and close combat. His expertise extended to performing high-risk maneuvers, such as quick draws and weapon handling under simulated combat conditions, which required precise control to ensure safety on set. Redwing served as a technical advisor and instructor for more than 30 years, training Hollywood actors in authentic Western gunplay techniques, including , gun spinning, and manipulation. He emphasized practical proficiency over theatrical flair, teaching skills like knife throwing, whip cracking, and use to enhance realism in fight . Among his pupils were prominent figures such as during the 1960 production of , where he demonstrated fast-draw methods to cast members. In demonstrations of his technical prowess, Redwing achieved notable speeds in quick-draw exhibitions, as captured in a 1956 multiple-exposure publicity photograph showing him firing a in rapid succession. He designed specialized holsters, such as the original model used by in Shane (1953), optimizing them for cinematic quick draws while maintaining functionality. Redwing's methods prioritized mechanical accuracy and muscle memory, crediting as his quickest student in mastering these techniques by 1959. Redwing showcased his skills publicly, including a 1958 appearance on the panel show What's My Line?, where he performed gun spinning and fast-draw routines to illustrate his role as a weapons coach. Contemporary accounts described him as one of Hollywood's premier authorities on period weaponry, capable of instructing in both arms and historical military drills like the British slope arms. His contributions bridged execution and advisory roles, ensuring performers could replicate credible dynamics without compromising production safety.

Specialized Skills and Demonstrations

Quick-Draw and Weapon Proficiency

Redwing exhibited mastery in quick-draw techniques with revolvers, drawing from his experience as an exhibition shooter prior to arriving in Hollywood around 1930. He pioneered the integration of fast draw into film production, developing methods that prioritized rapid holster extraction and firing accuracy to enhance Western genre authenticity. Serving as a gun coach for over three decades, Redwing trained in and precise weapon handling for screen performances, including , , Don Murray, , Anthony Quinn, , , , , , , and . His instruction contributed to key productions, such as coaching on ' The Outlaw in 1943 and preparing for Shane in 1953. Beyond firearms, Redwing's proficiency extended to complementary skills like throwing and use; during a 1958 episode of the anthology series Wide Wide World: The Westerns, he threw a into a wall faster than a standard gun draw, then fired a shot to pierce a hole directly through the embedded blade. He also demonstrated the ability to hit the center of a at 20 feet (approximately 6 meters) using either a or a , illustrating his command of multiple weapons. Redwing's expertise was showcased in public forums, including a February 2, 1958, appearance on the panel show What's My Line?, where he performed gun spinning and maneuvers to the astonishment of panelists and audience. These demonstrations, often captured in multi-exposure photography from the mid-1950s, affirmed his status as a quick-draw champion capable of multiple rapid shots in succession.

Public Performances and Instruction

Redwing gained recognition for his public demonstrations of quick-draw techniques and handling, often featuring live exhibitions that highlighted his proficiency in gun spinning, , and sharpshooting. In September 1963, he performed such displays at events covered in GUNS Magazine, where his skills as a pioneer in thumbing single-action hammers from holsters were emphasized for enabling rapid firing in Western-style shooting. These performances extended to television appearances, including episodes of What's My Line? on February 2, 1958, and on October 1, 1958, during which he revealed his role as a Hollywood gun coach and demonstrated specialized maneuvers. As an instructor, Redwing taught fast-draw and weapon proficiency to a wide array of during the and Western boom, serving as a technical advisor on sets to ensure realistic portrayals of gunplay. Notable students included , , Don Murray, , , and , with Redwing credited for imparting techniques such as the "border shift" quick-draw and precise holster draws. On February 12, 1958, he was photographed instructing on a Hollywood set, emphasizing safe and swift weapon handling to match his own draw speed. For instance, during the production of in 1960, he demonstrated trade tricks to Presley and the cast, adapting real-world fast-draw methods for cinematic authenticity. His teaching extended beyond professionals; he participated in fast-draw contests and public events, influencing competitive gun handling as noted by contemporaries like Jim Martin, whom he encountered at a 1957 contest. Redwing's instructional approach prioritized practical, verifiable skills over theatrical flair, though he incorporated exhibition elements to engage audiences and students alike. By 1959, he identified as his quickest learner in fast-draw techniques, underscoring his methodical coaching style amid Hollywood's demand for convincing Western action sequences. His demonstrations and lessons contributed to safer on-set practices, as production companies relied on him for weapon training to minimize risks in high-volume gunplay scenes.

Death and Posthumous Recognition

Final Years and Health Decline

In the late 1960s, Rodd Redwing sustained his involvement in the entertainment industry through acting roles and demonstrations of his quick-draw proficiency. He portrayed minor characters in Western films such as Charro! (1969), starring , and appeared as a guest on The Donald O'Connor Show on January 10, 1969, showcasing his skills. Into , at age 66, he served as technical advisor on , training actors including in fast-draw techniques during the production's location filming in . Redwing's health failed suddenly during this period, with no documented chronic conditions preceding his fatal . While returning from aboard a flight to , he suffered the heart attack that ended his life on May 29, 1971.

Circumstances of Death

Rodd Redwing suffered a fatal on May 29, 1971, while aboard a commercial flight returning from to . He had recently completed a role in the Red Sun (original title: Soleil rouge), filmed in . The heart attack struck during the transatlantic journey, and Redwing was pronounced dead approximately 35 minutes later, shortly before the aircraft landed. At the time of his death, he was 66 years old and had been married to Erika Redwing, with whom he had no children. His remains were cremated, and the ashes interred at in .

Legacy and Assessment

Contributions to Western Genre

Rodd Redwing served as a firearms consultant and technical advisor on numerous Western films and television productions from the 1930s through the 1960s, enhancing the authenticity of gunplay sequences. He instructed prominent actors including Alan Ladd, Glenn Ford, Henry Fonda, Ronald Reagan, Richard Widmark, Charlton Heston, and Jerry Lewis in quick-draw techniques, gun spinning, and realistic firearm handling, contributing to more convincing portrayals of gunfighters. For over two decades, Redwing was consulted by Hollywood studios to intensify shooting scenes in major Westerns, drawing on his expertise as a trick shooter and fast-draw artist. Redwing pioneered techniques for depicting the realistic effects of gunfire, notably demonstrating the violent impact of a cartridge in the 1953 film Shane, where he influenced the of shootouts to reflect physical and effects more accurately than prior stylized representations. His work emphasized practical and stunt safety, integrating live effects under controlled conditions to heighten dramatic tension without compromising performer safety. By casts and crews in these methods, Redwing helped standardize professional standards for Western action sequences during the genre's peak popularity in the mid-20th century. As a , Redwing appeared in supporting roles in Westerns, often doubling for actors in high-risk sequences involving horseback riding, knife throwing, and simulated combat, further embedding technical precision into the genre's visual language. His demonstrations of speed and accuracy—such as drawing and firing a in under 0.2 seconds—served as benchmarks for on-screen heroism, influencing how Western protagonists were portrayed as skilled marksmen grounded in feasible human capabilities. These contributions elevated the production values of Westerns, bridging theatrical exaggeration with empirical firearm dynamics.

Criticisms of Identity Fabrication

Rodd Redwing promoted himself as a Native American throughout his career, asserting that his heritage provided authentic insight into indigenous combat techniques, quick-draw artistry, and weapons handling, which he demonstrated in films and instructional roles. He frequently referenced lineage in press materials and interviews, such as a 1951 syndicated article describing his background as enabling specialized skills in Western productions. However, genealogical and biographical records indicate his was Ulysses Webb Richardson Jr., born on August 24, 1904, in , to Ulysses William Richardson (born 1873) and a mother of European descent, with no documented Native American ancestry. This discrepancy has prompted scrutiny over the fabrication of his ethnic identity, particularly as it bolstered his credibility as a technical advisor and performer in roles portraying or evoking Native Americans, such as in Gunfighters of the Northwest (1954) where he played a Blackfoot chief. Critics, including film historians, contend that such claims exemplify Hollywood's pattern of non-Native individuals appropriating indigenous personas to secure employment and authority in genre films, undermining genuine Native representation during an era when authentic actors were marginalized. Alternative accounts suggesting South Asian origins—such as birth as Roderick Rajpurkaii Jr. in India—remain unsubstantiated and conflict with primary records tying him to a Tennessee family of non-indigenous roots, further highlighting inconsistencies in his self-presentation. The adoption of the "Redwing" moniker and fabricated backstory parallels other cases in mid-20th-century where performers altered identities for marketability, but it has been specifically faulted for perpetuating under the guise of cultural expertise, as Redwing instructed actors and stunt performers in "Indian" and throws without verifiable tribal ties. While his technical prowess was acknowledged regardless of heritage, the deception eroded trust in his demonstrations' authenticity, with later analyses questioning whether his skills derived from familial showmanship—his father performed in circuses—rather than indigenous tradition. No legal repercussions ensued, but the exposure via has reframed his legacy, emphasizing performative invention over claimed ethnic veracity.

References

  1. http://www.westernclippings.com/stuntmen/roddredwing_stuntmen.shtml
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0715192/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0715192/bio/
  4. http://www.gunfightergulch.com/stories/jim-martin-rodd-redwing-hollywood-gun-coach
  5. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/102328-rodd-redwing
  6. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7893643/rodd-redwing
  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfA_8-0-RYk
  8. https://www.b-westerns.com/native13.htm
  9. https://revivaler.com/hollywood-characters-rodd-redwing/
  10. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MG6B-1DM
  11. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MNPZ-L4X
  12. https://bid.juliensauctions.com/lot-details/index/catalog/506/lot/221680/Rodd-Redwing-Photo-Archive
  13. https://api.pageplace.de/preview/DT0400.9781440871573_A47050765/preview-9781440871573_A47050765.pdf
  14. https://www.popcultureclassics.com/don_murray.html
  15. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/rodd_redwing
  16. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1004906-creature_from_the_black_lagoon
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049833/
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064155/
  19. https://www.facebook.com/TRMS.MovieWeaponry/posts/the-man-who-teaches-hollywood-stars-to-shootarvo-ojala-by-ben-irwin-guns-magazin/2209640919219908/
  20. https://www.facebook.com/flashbak/posts/multiple-exposure-shot-of-stunt-man-rodd-redwing-august-24-1904-may-29-1971-perf/929002545922508/
  21. https://www.westernleatherholster.com/western-movie-holsters/
  22. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0715192/trivia/
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jalTPfJ2of8
  24. http://www.gunfightergulch.com/stories/jon-lachuk-1960-the-gun-behind-hollywood-heroes
  25. https://truewestmagazine.com/buscadero-gun-belts/
  26. https://www.facebook.com/groups/VintageAmericaUncovered/posts/2967515680190514/
  27. https://gunsmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/G0963.pdf
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqCSOiS4P_4
  29. https://www.alamy.com/native-american-actor-and-quick-draw-expert-rodd-redwing-demonstrates-how-to-draw-a-gun-from-a-holster-on-a-hollywood-set-in-los-angeles-calif-feb-12-1958-theres-a-lot-of-gunplay-in-the-hollywood-westerns-sets-are-turning-out-the-production-companies-are-responsible-for-teaching-the-actors-how-to-handle-weapons-well-redwing-is-usually-the-man-who-is-called-upon-to-do-the-teaching-before-hes-through-with-his-students-theyre-as-quick-as-he-is-ap-photodavid-f-smith-image518925240.html
  30. https://www.facebook.com/groups/420165248022102/posts/5386582024713708/
  31. https://www.npr.org/2021/10/22/1048295916/props-gun-death-injuries-rust-movie-set-rare
  32. https://tv.apple.com/ca/person/rodd-redwing/umc.cpc.1h85xyu63mggsju6htkcn5p1e
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068675/trivia/
  34. https://filmsofthefifties.com/shane-1953-alan-ladd-rodd-redwing-and-jack-palance/
  35. https://www.historyforsale.com/signer-memorabilia/rodd-redwing/231744
  36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLRuuaBE3gM
  37. https://filesofjerryblake.com/2013/11/04/gunfighters-of-the-northwest/
  38. https://digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/exhibits/show/native-americans-pop-culture/native-themes-white-heroes/redface-westerns
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