Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 11:48 am:

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CBS) LOS ANGELES Actor Glenn Ford, who played strong, thoughtful protagonists in films such as "The Blackboard Jungle," "Gilda" and "The Big Heat," has died. He was 90.

A statement from Beverly Hills police says paramedics called to Ford's home just before 4 pm found the actor deceased.

Ford, born Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford, suffered a series of strokes in the 1990s.

This generation probably knew Ford best as Clark Kent's adopted father in 1978's "Superman".

Ford was discovered in the late 30's and he did a slew of small roles in movies while he worked as a contract player with Columbia Pictures through the 40's.

After serving in WWII, Ford's career took off. On and off camera.

Off camera he was linked with a series of beautiful leading ladies. He married actress/dancer Eleanor Powell in 1943. They had one child and divorced in 1959. Ford was married three other times, including to long-time soap actress Kathryn Hays (Kim on "As the World Turns") from 1966-1969.

In 1946, Ford co-starred with Rita Hayworth in the classic film "Gilda" and their chemistry propelled him to leading man status. The duo would appear in four other films together, namely "Affair in Trinidad", "The Lady In Question", "The Loves of Carmen" and "The Money Trap". Hayworth always said Ford was her favorite leading man.

Ford also had an extensive career in Westerns, usually playing the charming lawman who got the girl and the bad guy usually within the same scene.

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