The 1981 article by Charles Cooper, “Fred Thompson earned millions as movie star; died at age 38” (http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/10/520192.pdf) recalls the life of Highland Park raised Fred Thompson. Thompson who not only grew up in Highland Park but went to Occidental College apparently won national and international championships in the decathlon before becoming a Minister and serving in WWI. Marrying a divorced woman forced him from the church so he turned to acting becoming notable as an actor in silent, western films. The article goes into more detail about this interesting man’s life. Although annoyingly incomplete, what is there is fascinating. Check it out.
