How tall was buster crabbe

Buster Crabbe

Buster Crabbe

Crabbe, ca. 1940s

Born

Clarence Linden Crabbe II


(1908-02-07)February 7, 1908

Oakland, California, U.S.

DiedApril 23, 1983(1983-04-23) (aged 75)

Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.

Cause of deathHeart attack
Resting placeGreen Acres Memorial Park, Scottsdale, Arizona
NationalityAmerican
EducationHilo Union School
Honolulu Military Academy
Alma materUniversity of Southern California
Occupation(s)Olympic swimmer
Movie and televisionactor
Years active1928-1932 (Olympic swimmer)
1930–1982 (Actor)
Notable workFlash Gordon (3 movie serials)
TelevisionThe Buster Crabbe Show (1951-1952)
Buster's Buddies! (1953-1954)
Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion (1955-1957)
Spouse

Adah Virginia Held

(m. 1933⁠–⁠1983)​
(his death)
ChildrenCullen
Susan
Caren Lynn ("Sande")
Parent(s)Lucy Agnes McNamara (1885-1959)
Edward Clinton Simmons Crabbe I (1882-?)
RelativesNick Holt, grandson

Clarence Linden

Today fondly remembered by fans of vintage B-movies and serials, Westerns and science fiction alike, Buster Crabbe actually never intended to be an actor, nor was he trained as one or did he have his initial successes in that field. Actually, he was a swimmer, and was quite successful at two Olympics ... but then Hollywood called, and before long, he had made iconic roles like Tarzan, Buck Rogers and especially Flash Gordon his own, he was (unofficially) crowned King of the Serials ... and he was steadily gaining reputation as a screen-cowboy.

 

But let's start at the beginning:

Buster Crabbe was born Clarence Linden Crabbe II in Oakland California in 1908 (though his publicity bio listed 1907 as his birthdate, a date that later found its way into many sources), however it seems to have been his family's move to Hawaii at a very early age that was the first decisive event in his life, because in Hawaii he would find ideal conditions to train as a professional swimmer.

Buster's training would soon pay off, since in 1928, he won a bronze medal for the 1.50

Clarence Linden “Buster” Crabbe

1928
Bronze Medal, 1500-Meter Freestyle
4th Place, 400-Meter Freestyle

1932
5th Place, 1500-Meter Freestyle
Gold Medal, 400-Meter Freestyle

1928 Olympic Games
Amsterdam, Holland

Five Outrigger swimmers were considered candidates for the 1928 Olympic team: Buster Crabbe, Duke Kahanamoku, Mariechen Wehselau, Helen Moses and Lily Bowmer. The women were outswum in the Olympic trials and Duke pulled out of the trials to take an acting role in a movie with Ronald Colman.

Twenty-year-old Buster Crabbe, who was coached by “Dad” Center, earned his place on the Olympic team. Unfortunately, “Dad” had to return to Honolulu after the trials and was unable to accompany Buster to Amsterdam. Buster got sick on the voyage to Europe and had lost ten pounds by the start of the Olympics.

Buster’s best events were the 300-meter medley in which he held the world record, and the 800 and 1,500-meter freestyles. The first two were not Olympic events at that time.

Buster swam in two events, the 400 and 1,500-meter f

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