Star of fantasy films, including "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" and "The 3 Worlds of Gulliver", bringing mythical creatures to life on the big screen.
Kerwin Mathews is best known for playing the titular heroes in the iconic fantasy films The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), The Three Worlds of Gulliver (1960), and Jack the Giant Killer (1962). These roles catapulted him to fame, earning him a special place in the hearts of fantasy film enthusiasts.
Mathews was born on January 8, 1926, in Seattle, Washington, and spent his early years in Janesville, Wisconsin, where he attended Janesville High School. A kind high school teacher introduced him to the world of theater, which would change the course of his life. During World War II, Mathews served in the United States Army Air Forces as a pilot and swimming instructor.
After the war, Mathews attended Milton College for two years before transferring to Beloit College, where he earned drama and music scholarships. He remained at Beloit for three years after graduation, teaching speech and dramatic arts, and appeared in regional theater. He also taught high school English in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
In 1954, Mathews moved to Los Angeles and began acting at the Pasadena Playhouse, where he caught the attention of the head of casting for Columbia Pictures. This led to a seven-year studio contract, marking the beginning of his successful film career.
Mathews' early film roles included uncredited appearances in Cell 2455, Death Row (1955) and 5 Against the House (1955), the latter starring Kim Novak. His first sizable role was as Lee J. Cobb's son in The Garment Jungle (1957). His breakthrough came with the title role in Tarawa Beachhead (1958), a war film produced by Charles Schneer, who would later cast him in his iconic fantasy films.
Mathews' collaborations with producer Charles Schneer resulted in some of his most memorable roles. In The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), he played the titular hero, embarking on a perilous journey to rescue a princess from the clutches of an evil sorcerer. This film's success led to The Three Worlds of Gulliver (1960), where Mathews portrayed Lemuel Gulliver, a sailor who finds himself in a series of fantastical worlds.
In Jack the Giant Killer (1962), Mathews took on the role of Jack, a brave young man who must defeat a giant to save a kingdom. These films showcased Mathews' ability to bring heroic characters to life, earning him a lasting legacy in the world of fantasy cinema.
