Actor Farley Granger Dies at 85

More sad news today for classic film fans -- news is breaking this evening that actor Farley Granger has passed away at the age of 85.

Granger's film career began in the 20th Century-Fox WWII drama THE NORTH STAR (1943), costarring Dana Andrews and Anne Baxter.

Granger worked again with Andrews in EDGE OF DOOM (1950), as well as the touching Korean War drama I WANT YOU (1951).

His most famous film role came starring in Hitchcock's STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951) with Robert Walker. This is a Hitchcock film I still haven't seen, and at the start of the year I put it on a list of 10 movie classics I hope to see in 2011.

Granger also notably costarred with Cathy O'Donnell in the classic film noir titles THEY LIVE BY NIGHT (1949) and SIDE STREET (1950).

Over the years Granger appeared in a variety of good movies; some of his other films included Hitchcock's ROPE (1948), the romantic drama ENCHANTMENT (1948), THE GIRL IN THE RED VELVET SWING (1955), and a pair of early '50s Technicolor films from MGM, SMALL TOWN GIRL (1953) and THE STORY OF THREE LOVES (1953).

I particularly remember Granger from OUR VERY OWN (1950), a sudsy adoption melodrama starring Ann Blyth which played on TV regularly when I was a teen.

Starting in the mid-'50s Granger transitioned to working chiefly in television, where his credits included shows I enjoyed such as an episode of ELLERY QUEEN and the 1978 TV miniseries BLACK BEAUTY.

Thanks for the memories, Mr. Granger.

Update: The Hollywood Reporter has now posted an obituary.

Tuesday Update: The L.A. Times posted their obituary today.