Mel Ferrer: Charming actor who made his mark in La Jolla and Hollywood

His name may not be as well-known as other actors of his time – think Gregory Peck and Humphrey Bogart – but Mel Ferrer has his claim to fame.

The tall, charming actor with a subtle yet commanding presence, made a lasting impact during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Best known for his roles as a leading man in films such as “Lili” (1953) and “War and Peace” (1956), Ferrer’s contributions to the entertainment world extended beyond acting. From directing and producing to his involvement with the La Jolla Playhouse, Ferrer left a multifaceted legacy, and being married to actress Audrey Hepburn didn’t hurt either.

HOLLYWOOD STAR AND AUDREY HEPBURN

However, Ferrer’s big break came in the film “Lost Boundaries” (1949), where he played a light-skinned African American doctor who passes as Caucasian. The role established him as a serious actor with a sensitivity that became a hallmark of his performances. But his defining role came in “Lili,” where he played a puppeteer who falls in love with a naive girl. His quiet, introspective performance, along with his chemistry with Leslie Caron, won him critical acclaim and made him a fan favorite.

Of course, a high point in Ferrer’s life was his marriage to Hepburn, one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. The two met while working on the Broadway play “Ondine” in 1954, and their shared passion for the arts formed the foundation of their relationship. Ferrer supported Hepburn’s career, directing her in “Green Mansions” (1959) and producing “Wait Until Dark” (1967), which remains one of Hepburn’s most beloved films.

Despite their professional successes together, their marriage lasted 14 years before ending in divorce in 1968. Hepburn later referred to Ferrer as a “supportive and calming presence” in her life, but the pressures of their careers and personal differences led to their eventual split.

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

Outside of Hollywood, Ferrer had a strong connection to the La Jolla Playhouse, like Peck and Dorothy McGuire, he was a co-founder and it was where he acted and directed several productions. The Playhouse, which attracted numerous film stars looking to explore theater, became a retreat for Ferrer. In a 1980 interview, Ferrer reminisced about his time in La Jolla, describing it as “a playground for experimentation and collaboration with like-minded actors and directors.”

Ferrer’s involvement with the Playhouse solidified its reputation as one of the top regional theaters in the US, and his contributions helped elevate the status of the institution within the theater world. His passion for live performance, honed during his time on Broadway, he found La Jolla to be a place where he could search for more artistic roles and get involved in other projects.

EARLY LIFE

Born Melchor Gastón Ferrer, on Aug. 25, 1917, in Elberon, Long Branch City, Monmouth, NJ, Ferrer’s roots in his birthplace are hard to find, and according to historians from Monmouth County, Ferrer’s family didn’t have a long-lasting connection to Elberon.

When we interviewed, John Barrows, editor of Monmouth Timeline Inc., he said, “I am not aware of any monuments or memorials to Mel Ferrer in our area. This looks to me to be a situation very similar to that of the great satirist and poet Dorothy Parker, and country music superstar Clint Black.

“All were born here, but never lived here for any amount of time, never came back, never considered New Jersey to be home. Ferrer’s parents both had serious careers in New York City, it seems plausible that like many they were here because Elberon and Long Branch were very popular vacation destinations for New Yorkers who could visit by steamboat or train,” he continued.

“The Asbury Park Press (Oct. 18, 1958, page 12) had a story that mentioned that ‘Ferrer was born in Elberon, NJ He grew up in New York City, where he attended public schools.’ It’s noteworthy that the Asbury Park Press, which covers history regularly, has had stories that mentioned Mel Ferrer more recently, and they did not point out that he was born here. So, it seems to have been largely forgotten… Again, there is no monument or marker to Clint Black, but Dorothy Parker has been claimed by locals as if she never left the county. She derided her place of birth, but there’s a marker in her honor because her impact was such that there exists a Dorothy Parker Society and who knows, Clint Black and Mel Ferrer might get their markers someday.”

“My understanding is that the family moved or lived in New York, not long after he was born. Since the Elberon section is popular as a summertime residence, it is possible he was born there because the family was staying there at the time. I’m only inferring that Mel was born here and the family lived in New York – based on the census. I checked our directories and the high school yearbooks, and they are not here. It was likely a summer residence, and since Mel was born in August that’s likely how he came to be born here,” said Janice Grace, Long Branch historian, library associate and history room manager, Long Branch Free Public Library.

PERSONAL LIFE AND FINAL DAYS

Ferrer was married five times and had five children, including Sean Hepburn Ferrer, who became a producer and the author of a biography about his mother, Audrey Hepburn. As Ferrer aged, he became more involved behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, transitioning from acting to directing and producing. He spent his later years in Santa Barbara, where he was said to live a quieter life away from the glitz and glamor of Hollywood.

Ferrer passed away in his sleep on June 2, 2008, at the age of 90, from heart failure. He was in a convalescent home in Santa Barbara at the time of his death, having retired from public life years earlier. His family chose to keep details about his burial private, but Ferrer’s death marked the end of an era in, which many new fans have discovered this true gentleman of the Golden Age.

REFLECTIONS FROM COLLEAGUES

Ferrer’s colleagues frequently described him as humble and quietly commanding. Director Fred Zinnemann, who worked with Ferrer on “The Nun’s Story” (1959), once said, “Mel had this ability to hold a scene without saying a word. He could make the camera fall in love with him, and that’s not something many actors can do.”

Caron, Ferrer’s co-star in “Lili,” shared similar sentiments: “He was understated in everything he did. Mel didn’t need to shout or demand attention; he simply drew you in with his presence.” Caron also recalled their time working together fondly, saying, “We made magic on set, and I’ll always treasure that.”

MEL FERRER FILMOGRAPHY

1. “Lost Boundaries” (1949) Ferrer’s first major film role; he portrayed a doctor passing as a Caucasian in a segregated America.
2. “Born to Be Bad” (1950) A film noir where Ferrer plays a supporting role.
3. “Scaramouche” (1952) A swashbuckling adventure film, where Ferrer starred as the villain, the Marquis de Maynes.
4. “Lili” (1953) One of Ferrer’s most well-known films, where he played a puppeteer opposite actress Leslie Caron in this musical.
5. “Knights of the Round Table” (1953) Ferrer took on the role of Sir Percival in this medieval epic.
6. “War and Peace” (1956) In this adaptation of Tolstoy’s novel, Ferrer starred as Prince Andrei Bolkonsky alongside Audrey Hepburn and Henry Fonda.
7. “The Sun Also Rises” (1957) Ferrer starred in this adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s novel, playing the role of Robert Cohn.
8. “The World, the Flesh, and the Devil” (1959) A post-apocalyptic film where Ferrer starred with actors Harry Belafonte and Inger Stevens.
9. “Green Mansions” (1959) Directed by Ferrer, this film starred his then-wife Audrey Hepburn as Rima the Bird Girl.
10. “The Longest Day” (1962) Ferrer had a small role in this war film about D-Day, which featured an ensemble cast of major stars.
11. “The Fall of the Roman Empire” (1964) A historical epic in which Ferrer plays a supporting role.
12. “The Antichrist” (1974) A horror film where Ferrer plays the role of Father Mittner.
13. “Silent Action” (1975) A crime thriller where Ferrer plays a detective investigating corruption.
14. “The Great Alligator” (1979) A creature feature where Ferrer starred as a photographer who encounters a monstrous alligator.
15. “The Visitor” (1979) A Sci-Fi horror film in which Ferrer plays Dr. Sam Collins, who participates in a strange alien plot.
16. “Eaten Alive!” (1980) A jungle horror film in which Ferrer plays a scientist investigating cannibals.
17. “Francois Truffaut’s Mississippi Mermaid” (1969) Ferrer appeared in this French romantic thriller starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Catherine Deneuve.
18. “Brigham” (1977) Ferrer played Brigham Young in this film about the Mormon leader’s life.
19. “Blood and Roses” (1960) Ferrer starred in this vampire film based on “Carmilla” by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu.
20. “Ghost Story” (1981) In his later career, Ferrer appeared in this horror film with actors Fred Astaire and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

ADDITIONAL WORK

• Ferrer also had many roles on TV throughout the 1970s and ’80s, including guest appearances in “Falcon Crest” and “The Love Boat.”
• As a director he worked on projects including “Green Mansions” (1959) and “The Secret Fury” (1950).

SOURCES