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On this episode of Our American Stories, he played villains, soldiers, and tough guys on screen, but Sterling Hayden lived an even more dangerous life off camera. Best remembered as Captain McCluskey in The Godfather and General Jack Ripper in Dr. Strangelove, Hayden walked away from Hollywood during World War II to serve as a Marine officer and covert operative with the OSS. As part of our ongoing Hollywood Goes to War series, historian Roger McGrath shares the remarkable story of how one of Hollywood’s biggest stars became a real-life spy, running weapons, rescuing downed airmen, and risking his life behind enemy lines.

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On this episode of Our American Stories, he played villains, soldiers, and tough guys on screen, but Sterling Hayden lived an even more dangerous life off camera. Best remembered as Captain McCluskey in&nbsp;The Godfather&nbsp;and General Jack Ripper in&nbsp;Dr. Strangelove, Hayden walked away from Hollywood during World War II to serve as a Marine officer and covert operative with the OSS. As part of our ongoing&nbsp;Hollywood Goes to War&nbsp;series, historian Roger McGrath shares the remarkable story of how one of Hollywood&rsquo;s biggest stars became a real-life spy, running weapons, rescuing downed airmen, and risking his life behind enemy lines.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Sterling Hayden: The Hollywood Star Who Left the Screen to Become a WWII Spy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/90f2839e-5c8b-4798-ac84-b3d9015e3a3b/transcript