In Memory of TV 'S.W.A.T' Star Steve Forrest: One Decade After His Tragic Death

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It's been over ten years since actor Steve Forrest died in 2013. Best known as Lt. Dan Harrelson on TV's original S.W.A.T. police crime drama (ABC, 1975-1976), Forrest was 87 years old. This is his story.

A Closer Look

William Forrest Andrews was born in Huntsville, Texas, on September 29, 1925, the 12th of 13 children of Charles Andrews, a Baptist minister. After Army service in World War II, in which he fought at the Battle of the Bulge, Forrest earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the U.C.L.A., with a major in Theater and a minor in Psychology.

He took the stage name Steve Forrest early in his career to distinguish himself from his older brother, actor Dana Andrews (who died in 1992 at 83).

Forrest enjoyed initial screen time in both movies and television, including feature films like So Big (1953), Prisoner of War (1954), Heller in Pink Tights and Flaming Star (both from 1960), among others of the era.

Later day films include Mommie Dearest (1981).

In the 1950s and beyond, Forrest made TV appearances on shows like The Twilight Zone, Bonanza, Ironside, Gunsmoke and Dallas, the latter in which played the recurring role of Wes Parmalee.

Then Came S.W.A.T.

It wasn't until the mid-1970s that Steve Forrest found more recognizable mainstream fame with the S.W.A.T. series. Decades later, in 2003, he Forrest made a cameo appearance — as the team van driver — in the big-screen adaptation of the series.

In between all of that, he made other movies such as Mommie Dearest (1981), about film legend Joan Crawford.

A versatile, charismatic actor, Forrest also performed on Broadway. In 1958, he played an Ivy League-educated aspiring prizefighter in the musical comedy The Body Beautiful, which ran for 60 performances.

For TV of the 1960s in the UK, Forrest starred in The Baron, a well-received espionage series in which he portrayed an antiques dealer moonlighting as an undercover agent.

Lasting Impression

Hollywood doesn't make 'em anymore like Steve Forrest.