We are sad to report that versatile leading man Rod Taylor who starred in The Birds and The Time Machine has passed away at the age of 84. His rep is saying that he died of natural causes on Wednesday.
Taylor died at home, surrounded by his family and friends. He is survived by Carol, his wife of 35 years, and his daughter Felicia.
Taylor had a wonderful career in Hollywood as a leading man and starred in nearly 100 films. But his breakthrough role came in 1960 when director George Pal cast him as the lead in the classic film based on the H.G. Wells novel, The Time Machine.
Another film that genre fans will always fondly remember Taylor for is his starring role opposite Tippi Hedren in the classic Alfred Hitchcock film, The Birds in 1963.
Taylor was born in Australia in 1930 and after gaining extensive experience in radio and stage he landed in Los Angeles in 1954 on the way to London, but never left Los Angeles. Thus started his career in Hollywood with such films as Sunday in New York, The Liquidator, Dark of the Sun, Zabriskie Point, The Train Robbers and more recently in Inglourious Basterds from 2009.
All of us here at Horror Society would like to offer our sincerest condolences to Rod Taylor’s family, friends and fans. He was a gentleman actor and gave us all the gift of happiness when watching his films. He will be missed.
R.I.P. Rod Taylor 1930 – 2015
