Suave and handsome Australian actor who came to Hollywood in the 1950s, and built himself up from a supporting actor into taking the lead in several well remembered movies. Arguably his most fondly remembered role was that as George the inventor in George Pal's spectacular The Time Machine. As the movie finished with George, and his best friend Filby Alan Young seemingly parting for ever, both actors were brought back together in 1993 to film a 30 minute epilogue to the original movie! Taylor's virile, matinee idol looks also assisted him in scoring the lead of Mitch Brenner in Alfred Hitchcock creepy thriller The Birds, the lead role of Mike Mitchell in the romantic tale of Sunday in New York, and another romantic lead opposite Doris Day in The Glass Bottom Boat. Taylor also appeared in many westerns & action movies during the 1960s, however none of them were much better than "B pictures" and failed to push his star to the next level. Aditionally, Taylor was cast as the lead in several TV series including _"Bearcats" (1971)_ , Masquerade and Outlaws, however none of them truly ignited viewer interest, and they were cancelled after only one of two seasons. Most fans would agree that Rod Taylor's last great role was in the wonderful Australian film The Picture Show Man, about a travelling side show bringing "moving pictures" to remote towns in the Australian outback.


Father: William Sturt Taylor; Mother: Mona Stewart 20th Century-Fox considered him for the astronaut role in 1968's Planet of the Apes (1968) but, perhaps seeking a bigger box office name, gave the part to Charlton Heston. Good friend of Tippi Hedren. Taylor had completely retired from acting when Quentin Tarantino offered him the role of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in Inglourious Basterds (2009). At first Taylor declined the part, suggesting that Tarantino should cast Albert Finney (who had played Churchill to great acclaim in The Gathering Storm (2002) (TV)), but eventually the director talked him into it.