Lock Martin
Biography
Lock Martin was an American performer who was born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew to more than seven feet tall. He became known for playing the robot Gort in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). His size made it hard to move in the heavy robot suit, so in scenes where he was meant to lift or carry Patricia Neal or Michael Rennie, wires or lightweight dummies were used instead. Martin also toured with Spike Jones and His City Slickers and made appearances on their television program during the early 1950s. He worked at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles as a doorman, and he was a contestant on You Bet Your Life in an episode from November 14, 1951. Near the end of his career, he shot a part as a circus giant for The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), but his scenes were removed.
42years old at death
- Born Pennsylvania
- Died Los Angeles County
- Star sign: LibraThe sign runs September 23 to October 22
Movie Career
- Films
- 4
- Career span
- 13 years1944 to 1957
Every film, newest first
- 1957The Incredible Shrinking ManIMDb rating 7.6
- 1954The Snow CreatureIMDb rating 3.3
- 1951The Day the Earth Stood StillIMDb rating 7.7
- 1944Lost in a HaremIMDb rating 6.3
Genres
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Getting ready for a role
Lock Martin played the robot Gort in The Day the Earth Stood Still, but the heavy suit made movement so hard that when Gort was meant to carry Patricia Neal or Michael Rennie, they were held up by wires or swapped for lightweight dummies.
A role that slipped away
Martin was filmed as a circus giant for The Incredible Shrinking Man, but his scenes were cut from the finished film.
A change of course
In the early 1950s, Martin toured with Spike Jones and His City Slickers and was seen on their television show. He also served as a doorman at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.
Lock Martin movies on Netflix
Worked with
Lock Martin shares two films with Paul Langton, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Paul Langton's page
Chet Brandenburg's page
William Schallert's page
Douglass Dumbrille's page
Richard Alexander's page
Lou Costello's page
All films by Robert Wise
Jack ArnoldDirector, 1 film, 1957
All films by Jack Arnold
W. Lee WilderDirector, 1 film, 1954
All films by W. Lee Wilder
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.