Buster Crabbe was born in 1908 in Oakland, California, but grew up in Hawaii when his family moved. He attended the University of Southern California where he was the schools first All-American swimmer and was a part of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated in 1931.
He won the bronze medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam and won the gold medal at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In 1933 he started an acting career. He was credited as Larry Crabbe in some films. He also did television and in 1952 he covered sports for a network in NYC on Sunday nights.
In the 1950s-1960s his acting career became dry with no offers leading him to become a stockbroker and businessman. During this time he did a few low budget western films and some commercials.
He got married in 1933 and had two daughters, one who died in 1957 at age 20.
He died in 1983 while at home in Scottsdale, Arizona from a massive heart attack. He was 75 years old.
Offsite Link| by Anonymous | reply 19 | November 16, 2023 5:25 PM |
He had a Long Island Bay house
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | October 29, 2023 12:28 AM |
Became infamous as Tarzan because he wore the skimpiest loincloth and it was believed lots of gay guys loved the cheeky scenes of him running from behind.
| by Anonymous | reply 7 | October 29, 2023 12:35 AM |
Buster Crabbe showering, notice the bare bottoms of the extras in the background, starts at about 0:40 seconds.
Offsite Link| by Anonymous | reply 8 | October 29, 2023 12:39 AM |
Yes pre-code films were interesting
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | October 29, 2023 12:41 AM |
Don't forget his tour of duty as a Legionnaire
Offsite Link| by Anonymous | reply 10 | October 29, 2023 12:46 AM |
He did a lot of things. He also coached swimmers and bought properties. He was always doing something.
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | October 29, 2023 12:48 AM |
He was certainly handsome, maybe the best looking athlete turned star.
| by Anonymous | reply 12 | October 29, 2023 1:15 AM |
[quote]He was certainly handsome, maybe the best looking athlete turned star.
He was no Sonja Henie in the looks department.
| by Anonymous | reply 13 | October 29, 2023 1:22 AM |
The daughter who died allegedly died from anorexia.
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | October 29, 2023 1:45 AM |
Has anyone seen him as Rock Sands in the 1979 masterwork "Swim Team"? It's wet and it's wild!
Offsite Link| by Anonymous | reply 15 | October 29, 2023 1:52 AM |
Those 1930s flicks were interesting
Offsite Link| by Anonymous | reply 16 | October 29, 2023 2:00 AM |
R16 He is so beautiful in that clip.
| by Anonymous | reply 19 | November 16, 2023 5:25 PM |
