Peter Ortiz

Biography

Peter Ortiz was an American actor and a colonel in the Marine Corps who first went to Hollywood as a technical adviser on war films after serving in the French Foreign Legion in North Africa in the 1930s. Born in New York City, he joined the Marines in 1942 and worked with the Office of Strategic Services, parachuting behind enemy lines in France and receiving two Navy Crosses. After the war he turned to acting, appearing in several films directed by John Ford, including Rio Grande (1950), and serving as technical adviser on Operation Secret (1952), a film drawn from his wartime exploits. He also appeared in an episode of the short-lived series Rocky Jones, Space Ranger (1953). He retired from the Marines in 1955 as a colonel and died in 1988.

74years old at death

Born July 5, 1913New York City
Died May 16, 1988Prescott
Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22

Movie Career

Films: 4
Career span: 7 years1950 to 1957

Every film, newest first

1957The Wings of EaglesIMDb rating 6.6
1954Hell and High WaterIMDb rating 6.1
1952Blackbeard, the PirateIMDb rating 5.9
1950Rio GrandeIMDb rating 7.0

Genres

Did you know?!

Getting ready for a role
Ortiz served as technical advisor on Operation Secret (1952), a film based on his own World War II exploits, but had no control over the script and was unhappy with the result.
A change of course
At 18, on February 1, 1932, Ortiz joined the French Foreign Legion for five years of service in North Africa, and was sent to its training camp at Sidi Bel Abbes in French Algeria.
A change of course
During the 1950s, Ortiz's acting work fell apart, and by 1955 he was placing ads in movie trade publications looking for jobs.

Peter Ortiz movies on Netflix

The Wings of Eagles1957IMDb rating 6.6as Lt. Charles Dexter
Hell and High Water1954IMDb rating 6.1as Crewman
Blackbeard, the Pirate1952IMDb rating 5.9as Pirate
Rio Grande1950IMDb rating 7.0as Capt. St. Jacques

Most often with

John Ford directed two of these films. Four actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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John Wayne

Maureen O'Hara

Chuck Roberson

Ken Curtis

John FordDirector, 2 films

Films together

John Wayne2 films together, 1950 to 1957
John Wayne's page
- The Wings of Eagles1957IMDb rating 6.6Ortiz as Lt. Charles DexterWayne as Frank W. 'Spig' Wead
- Rio Grande1950IMDb rating 7.0Ortiz as Capt. St. JacquesWayne as Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke
Maureen O'Hara2 films together, 1950 to 1957
Maureen O'Hara's page
- The Wings of Eagles1957IMDb rating 6.6Ortiz as Lt. Charles DexterO'Hara as Min Wead
- Rio Grande1950IMDb rating 7.0Ortiz as Capt. St. JacquesO'Hara as Mrs. Kathleen Yorke
Chuck Roberson2 films together, 1952 to 1957
Chuck Roberson's page
- The Wings of Eagles1957IMDb rating 6.6Ortiz as Lt. Charles DexterRoberson as Officer
- Blackbeard, the Pirate1952IMDb rating 5.9Ortiz as PirateRoberson as Mounted Soldier
Ken Curtis2 films together, 1950 to 1957
Ken Curtis's page
- The Wings of Eagles1957IMDb rating 6.6Ortiz as Lt. Charles DexterCurtis as John Dale Price
- Rio Grande1950IMDb rating 7.0Ortiz as Capt. St. JacquesCurtis as Donnelly - Regimental Singer
John FordDirector, 2 films, 1950 to 1957
All films by John Ford
- The Wings of Eagles1957IMDb rating 6.6Ortiz as Lt. Charles Dexter
- Rio Grande1950IMDb rating 7.0Ortiz as Capt. St. Jacques

Awards

Three awards and honors.

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Peter Ortiz's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Result
Other honors
	Legionnaire of Legion of Merit	Won
	Navy Cross	Won
	Purple Heart	Won

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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