Appeared opposite Virginia Mayo in six films, both of them often playing scheming, unsavory types.
Born in Eureka, California but raised in Laramie, Wyoming, the son of a lumberman. His early work included that of a cowboy and railroad station hand.
Ex-brother-in-law of Ida Mae McKenzie and Ella McKenzie.
Ex-son-in-law of Eva McKenzie and Robert McKenzie.
He studied at the University of Wyoming and switched from the basketball team to the drama club. He quit college in 1937 to give Hollywood a go.
Married three times and had one daughter, Xandra, by his first wife, artist Florence Lockwood. His relationship with his daughter was strained and eventually they lost touch. His third wife, whom he married at age 44 in 1961 in Las Vegas, was only 19. They later divorced.
On June 15, 1965, at the age of 48, Cochran died on his yacht off the coast of Guatemala of an acute lung infection. His body, along with three alive but upset female assistants, remained on board for ten days until the boat drifted to shore and was found by authorities. His death was apparently a mystery, surrounded by various rumors about foul play and poisoning. Merle Oberon tried to use her influence to push for further police investigations.
The successful singer, Morrissey (Steven Patrick Morrissey), is named after him.
Was not accepted into the service because of a heart murmur. Instead he organized and directed shows for Army camps on the West coast.