Richard Widmark, who became an immediate sensation in Hollywood after playing the role of a psychotic killer named Tommy Udo in the "Kiss of Death," has died at the age of 93 after a long illness.
In the role that launched him to stardom he was initially rejected by director Henry Hathaway, but was overruled by CEO of 20th Century Fox at the time - Darly Zanuck. Widmark was nominated for an Oscar in the role.
A number of film critics have considered Widmark's role as Udo one of the most scary even filmed.
Widmark ending up acting in over 60 films throughout his career.
He is survived by his wife Susan Blanchard. Widmark was married to his first wife, Jean Hazlewood,from 1942 until she passed away in 1997, with whom he had daughter Ann.
Ann was married at one time to former baseball pitching great Sandy Koufax.
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