Peter Ford Reveals The True Story Of His Father’s Life In His Biography, Glenn Ford: A Life
Peter Ford, author of GLENN FORD: A LIFE
Peter Ford had the good fortune of being the only child of two of Hollywood’s most renowned stars—Eleanor Powell, one of MGM’s greatest musical stars, and Glenn Ford, Hollywood’s number one box office star of 1958.
Eleanor Powell gave up her career to take on role of wife and mother at the age of thirty-three. Giving up her career to be married to a little known actor by the name of Glenn Ford had studio moguls and fans in an uproar.
It wasn’t until 1946 that the public knew who Glenn Ford really was. It was that year that Gilda was released, starring Glenn and Rita Hayworth. Glenn Ford became a “star” overnight.
Born in Los Angeles, California on February 5th, 1945, Peter led a childhood of many privileges and opportunities.
Pearl Bailey is Peter’s God Mother and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson is his God Father.
In a footnote to Rock and Roll history, Peter was responsible for the Bill Haley and the Comet’s song “Rock Around the Clock” used as the theme song of his father’s film, “Blackboard Jungle” in 1955.
Peter graduated from Chadwick High School in Palos Verdes, California in 1962. He received an Associates of Arts degree from Santa Monica College in 1966 while pursuing a career as an actor and singer.
It is almost a given that the only child of two people in “the business” would try his hand at the same profession. Peter did, working in nearly two dozen-film projects, as an actor and dialogue director.
The first film which Father and son worked in together was Gilda in 1946 where director Charles Vidor used Peter’s photo to represent Johnny Farrell (Glenn’s role in the film) as a child, and later, “The Americano” in 1954. Peter’s first speaking role was in “The Gazebo” in 1959, one of Glenn’s favorite comedies, co-starring Debbie Reynolds. He also appeared in “Pocketful of Miracles”, “Dear Heart”, “Advance to the Rear”, “Fate is the Hunter” and “The Rounders”.
In 1968, Peter graduated, cum laude, with a B.A degree in English. He was accepted at U.S.C. law school, but chose to continue working as an actor and singer.
Peter met his wife, Lynda, at USC. Lynda went on to receive a Masters in Education and became an elementary public school teacher.
Peter and Lynda have been married for more than 40 years.
Peter hosted a popular weekly nighttime political talk show on KIEV for three years.
Peter was elected to the LA Republican Central Committee’s 42nd Assembly District in 2010. Today, he serves as the 2nd Vice Chair of the Republican Party of Los Angeles County.
