In 1969, when Lee Marvin was filming “Monte Walsh” at Old Tucson and Mescal, he must have decided he liked the Old Pueblo. From then until his death in 1987, Marvin continued to spend time here, eventually purchasing a home in the foothills. The noted actor did more than just reside here, he was an active Tucson resident.
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Jack Palance, left, and Lee Marvin on the set of “Monte Walsh.”
When “Monte Walsh” was filming here, a drought was causing starvation of the cattle on the Tohono O’odham (then Papago) Reservation. Marvin and his co-star Jack Palance stepped in to help. They even helped load the feed onto trucks.
In 1974, when Raul Castro was running for governor, Marvin appeared at a get-out-the-vote rally at Randolph Park. More than 3,000 attended the event. But, it would be his last campaign. He said, “If I’m going to be up there on a platform with a candidate, I should be able to answer all the questions and know the stands on all of the issues. I don’t and am through stumping for politicians.”
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The Tucson Symphony Youth Orchestra was fortunate to have Marvin narrate their performance of “Peter and the Wolf” in 1977. In 1981, he presided over a workshop on acting, directing and cinematography at the UA and also participated in a Southwestern Film Consortium benefit. At that affair, he was joined by Gene Kelly and George Peppard.
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Lee Marvin, left, and Gene Kelly at Tucson film benefit.
He was a strong supporter of Sarah Gorby and her wildlife rehabilitation efforts. He regularly assisted her with fund-raising efforts.
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Sarah Gorby, Lee Marvin and three orphaned javelinas.
What Marvin really liked about Tucson was its laid back approach to celebrities. He told a reporter “They see you driving around in a pickup and that’s it. … They leave you alone.” And, as he said in another interview “it sure beats the hell out of Phoenix.”
Lee Marvin died at Tucson Medical Center on August 29, 1987, at the age of 63. He suffered a heart attack following a bout with the flu.