Brad Dexter
A Hollywood heavy who saved Frank Sinatra from drowning, produced a Billie Holiday biopic, and briefly married Peggy Lee.
1917–2002 (age 85)·American actor·Birthday: April 9·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Brad Dexter, born Boris Milanovich, carved a niche in Hollywood as the reliable, granite-jawed supporting player, often the villain or tough ally in westerns and noir films. His most famous role was as one of the hired guns in 'The Magnificent Seven.' Yet his life off-screen was arguably more cinematic. While filming 'None But the Brave' in Hawaii, he pulled a drowning Frank Sinatra from powerful surf, an act of heroism that led to a complex, sometimes strained friendship. He leveraged that connection to become a producer, most notably helping shepherd 'Lady Sings the Blues,' the Diana Ross-starring Billie Holiday story, to the screen. His personal life included a brief, volatile marriage to singer Peggy Lee and a close, protective friendship with Marilyn Monroe, painting a portrait of a man whose behind-the-scenes life rivaled his on-screen persona.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Brad was born in 1917, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brad Was Born
The biggest hits of 1917
#1 Movie
Cleopatra
Brad's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1917Born
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Started school
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1930Became a teenager
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1933Could drive
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1935Could vote
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1938Turned 21
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1947Turned 30
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 40
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 50
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 60
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 70
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 80
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Died at 85
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
Key Achievements
- Played Harry Luck, one of the title mercenaries, in the classic western 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960).
- Produced the successful biographical film 'Lady Sings the Blues' (1972), starring Diana Ross as Billie Holiday.
- Saved Frank Sinatra from drowning during a 1964 film shoot, an event widely reported in Hollywood lore.
Did You Know?
He was of Serbian descent, and his birth name was Boris Milanovich.
His marriage to legendary singer Peggy Lee lasted less than a year.
He was a close friend of Marilyn Monroe and was one of the last people to see her alive before her death.
He served in the US Army Air Forces during World War II.
“I saved Sinatra's life in the ocean, and he never let me forget it.”
