Preston Foster (Preston Foster)
Preston Foster (August 24, 1900 – July 14, 1970), sometimes credited as Preston S. Foster, was an American stage and film actor. He also had a career as a vocalist. Preston Foster entered films in 1929 after acting on Broadway. He was still appearing on Broadway as late as November 1931, in the cast of the play Two Seconds. He soon reprised that role in a filmed version. His most notable films include Doctor X (1932), I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932), Annie Oakley (1935), The Last Days of Pompeii (1935), The Informer (1935), and My Friend Flicka (1943). While serving with the United States Coast Guard during World War II, he rose to the rank of captain, temporary reserve. He eventually held the honorary rank of commodore. Preston Foster enjoyed a secondary career as a vocalist. In 1948, he created a trio consisting of himself, his wife, Sheila and guitarist Gene Leis. Leis arranged the songs and the trio performed on radio and in clubs, appearing with Orrin Tucker, Peggy Ann Garner and Rita Hayworth. Got My Mojo Working is a 1956 song written by Foster and first recorded by Ann Cole, but popularized by Muddy Waters in 1957, whose rendition of the song was featured on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at #359. was inducted in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2000, and was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. He starred in the television drama Waterfront (1954–1955), playing Captain John Herrick. He guest-starred in the ABC drama series Going My Way, starring Gene Kelly. On July 25, 1943, Preston Foster co-starred with Ellen Drew in “China Bridge,” a presentation of Silver Theater on CBS radio. Preston Foster was married to his first wife, stage actress Gertrude Warren, from 1926 until their 1945 divorce. They had one daughter, Stephanie. He was married to his second wife, actress Sheila Darcy, from 1946 until his death.
Born
- August, 24, 1900
- Pitman, New Jersey
Died
- July, 14, 1970
- La Jolla, California
Cause of Death
- cardiac arrest
Cemetery
- El Camino Memorial Park
- San Diego, California