His film career lasted a total of two years and he appeared in a little over a half dozen films. He had matinee idol looks, a noticeable screen name and was a competent actor…so whatever happened to Buck Class?
Actor Buck Class...one of Henry Willson's clients, perhaps?
Having just watched the 1958 B-film THUNDERING JETS today, I took notice of Buck Class who he had quite a good role in this rather dull tale of a group of young Air Force pilots and the flight teacher (Rex Reason) they despise. Buck lacked nothing in the acting department so it is a curiosity that he would leave the industry after just a few films…unless of course he went by another screen name later on or perhaps died young…he had work as a model, this much I know, and possibly he returned to that line of work. Judging by his name I would not be at all surprised to find he had been a client of Henry Willson… although I think the name Buck Crash would have been a much more inventive moniker…if so, then his real name is a mystery.
Among his other films were small roles in SOUTH PACIFIC (1958), TEN NORTH FREDERICK (1958), HOLIDAY FOR LOVERS (1959), and A PRIVATE’S AFFAIR. Besides his supporting role as the womanizing Major Geron in THUNDERING JETS, he won decent roles in the teen flick BLUE DENIM (1959) and in IN LOVE AND WAR (1958). He also worked on stage costarring with Ginger Rogers in PINK JUNGLE which played try-outs in Detroit, San Francisco and Boston in 1959, but never made it to Broadway. I find no credits for Buck Class after 1959 and he seems to have simply disappeared.
So, if any of you folks out there know anything at all about this actor do drop me a line and perhaps one day we can solve whatever happened to Buck Class!
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April 12, 2012 at 5:01 am04
Gump
I went to Millbrook School in New York near Poughkeepsie with Buck Class. This was his real name. He came as a PG and was there for only one year as I remember. He was probably two years older than me so so probably born about 1931. After his graduation, I saw his picture in the New York Times several times modeling for NYC department stores and similar. I never saw him as a model for anything national. Seemed like a nice guy, although I didn’t know him well, being that much younger.
July 5, 2012 at 5:01 am07
Gene Fox
Maurice Morrisseey Class II: Son of a US Army Colonel of Engineers, who served in World War I, World II, and the Korean Conflict. He was on General MacArthur’s staff from 1947 t0 1953.
I went to the Tokyo American School with Buck in 1947-48. He was a senior and I was a sophomore.
Buck was clearly a BMOC (Big Man On Campus) Excerpts from the yearbook:
Senior Superlative: Best Looking. Last Will: I, Buck Class, do hereby leave
anything I have to anybody who can handle it. Pet Peeve: Insipid giggling females. Favorite Pastime: Winning people over to my way of thinking. Favorite Song: The Man I Love. Comments: “Shoulders”…unique hair-do (duck tail)… king of the low-slung Levis…sense of humor all his own…big joker…wine, women and song…”life, what art thou love and passion”…likes an audience…intractable…lookout Princeton, liberal arts student coming up.
He played football and baseball. All-around nice guy. I last visited with Buck at his apartment in Ventura, California about two years ago. Still as handsome as ever and with a gleam in his eye.
Can’t close without mentioning his sister, Shelmerdene (Shelly),—she was a knockout too and could have been in the movies also.
Other celebrities from Tokyo American School: Actress Joan Fontaine (1934) (sister of Olivia de Haviland); Jack Clarke, (1949), who played the attorney Mickey in “Days of Our Lives”.
July 5, 2012 at 5:01 pm07
MBarnum
Gene, thanks so much for the info on Buck! Glad to know he is still around and living happily!
September 30, 2012 at 5:01 pm09
Mary Viets (Betty Dows Viets)
I too attended Tokyo American School with Buck. I was a freshman, he was a senior. My brother, Bob Dows, knew him better than I did. Have wondered if he ever made it in the movies. Saw a Buck Class in South Pacific – picture does not look much like him. Betty Dows Viets
September 14, 2012 at 5:01 am09
Don Hannah
I attended the University of Virginia beginning in September of 1950. Buck Class was also a first year man at that time. My room mate was Bill Heard. Bill & Buck were great close friends and after about a year, they left UVA and went on to Hollins College in Florida. I lost track of Buck (and Bill) and have wondered about them. Buck did some first rate modeling after college and I remember a giant Kodak ad in Grand Central Station featuring Buck.
Four of my children have all become involved with the film business and have done well. I thought Buck would make it! How can i get in touch with him? Don Hannah
September 15, 2012 at 5:01 am09
MBarnum
Stay tuned Don! If I am able to locate Buck, I will be sure to post about it here!