BRAD DEXTER / 1917-2002

‘Magnificent Seven’ star
saved Sinatra in Hawaii

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Associated Press

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. >> Actor Brad Dexter, who rode with Yul Brynner as one of the "Magnificent Seven" and became a confidant of both Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra, has died at 85.

Dexter had been hospitalized with emphysema and died Thursday in Rancho Mirage.

Burly and handsome, he was often cast as a tough guy in supporting roles, which included 1958's "Run Silent, Run Deep," starring Burt Lancaster and Clark Gable, and 1965's "None but the Brave," starring Sinatra.

His friendship with Sinatra took on legendary proportions during the filming of "None but the Brave" in 1964. On location in Hawaii, Sinatra nearly drowned and Dexter saved his life.

He made his film debut in the "The Asphalt Jungle" in 1950, but his most prominent role came in 1960's "The Magnificent Seven," in which he starred with Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and Robert Vaughn.

Born Boris Milanovich in Goldfield, Nev., Dexter made guest appearances on the 1950s television shows "Zane Gray Theater," "Death Valley Days" and "Wagon Train."

In January 1953, he married singer Peggy Lee, but they divorced eight months later.

Soon after his divorce, Dexter befriended Monroe. In 1954, he tried unsuccessfully to persuade her to stay with her husband, Joe DiMaggio.

Dexter's biggest movie credit as a producer was "Lady Sings the Blues," the Billie Holiday story starring Diana Ross in 1972.

He made guest appearances on several popular shows, including "Mission Impossible" and "Kojak."