Marshall Thompson

Brother-in-law of Richard Long , Mara Corday and Suzan Ball.

His dentist father, Laurence Thompson, was a decorated WWI medic who received shrapnel injuries during his tour of duty. Decades later, a small fragment dislodged and caused a fatal stroke. He was in his late 60s. His mother, Pauline, was a one-time concert singer. His parents met while she was entertaining WWI troops.

Life-long friend of actress Betty Lynn , best known as Thelma Lou on "The Andy Griffith Show" . Both graduated from University High School in Los Angeles.

Unlike some sources indicate, Marshall never had any intentions on becoming a minister -- the story was promoted by MGMs publicity department; however, he was a pre-med student at Occidental College at one time before focusing on drama.

First met his wife, the former Barbara Long , through Roddy McDowall and reconnected later at the Laguna Playhouse while both were appearing in the play "French Without Tears" in 1948. A year later they married and had one daughter, Janet. He subsequently appeared with his brother-in-law Richard Long in Cult of the Cobra .

He produced, directed and starred in A Yank in Viet-Nam , a film that could have had tragic consequences. It was an on-location anti-Viet Cong picture that had the Viet Cong putting a price on his head during the shoot. The picture was important in that it was the first filmed during the war and while under fire.