Biography: Paul Birch, born Paul Smith in Atmore, Alabama, died on Saturday, May 24, 1969, in St. George, Grenada. Paul was a veteran of 39 movies, 50 stage dramas and an untold number of television shows including the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" (1951)". In the late 1950s he starred, along with William Campbell , in the syndicated series "Cannonball" (1958)", a half-hour drama/adventure show about over-the-road ... show all Paul Birch, born Paul Smith in Atmore, Alabama, died on Saturday, May 24, 1969, in St. George, Grenada. Paul was a veteran of 39 movies, 50 stage dramas and an untold number of television shows including the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" (1951)". In the late 1950s he starred, along with William Campbell , in the syndicated series "Cannonball" (1958)", a half-hour drama/adventure show about over-the-road truckers. He was the original "Marlboro Man" in TV commercials and played both Union Gen. U.S. Grant and Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in several historical playlets. He started out as the first of the original members of the Pasadena Playhouse and his stage work included "The Caine Mutiny". He was often called upon to play Grant due to the striking resemblance (when bearded) he bore to the former General and President. He enjoyed playing the roles of Lee and Grant and once remarked, "There were times when I was switching those two roles so fast I could have surrendered to myself." hide |
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