American athlete, firefighter, and actor (1930-1999) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard Bernard Hammer (July 17, 1930 – October 18, 1999) was an American athlete, firefighter, and actor.
Dick Hammer | |
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Hammer, circa 1954 | |
| Born | July 17, 1930 Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 18, 1999 (aged 69) Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California |
| Occupations |
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Born in Long Beach, California, Hammer attended the University of Southern California.
Hammer was a basketball player at the University of Southern California, and competed in volleyball at the 1964 Summer Olympics. As an actor, he played Captain Richard "Dick" Hammer in the television series Emergency! but left the show during the 1972 first season after ten episodes. He returned to firefighting up till his retirement in 1983, during which he became one of many actors who portrayed the Marlboro Man in print advertisements in the 1970s.[1]
Hammer's grandson is former USC quarterback and current Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold.[2][3] Hammer's granddaughter, Franki Darnold, is a record holder for the University of Rhode Island women's volleyball team.[1][4][5][6]
On October 18, 1999, Hammer died in Long Beach from lung cancer at the age of 69.[5]
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