TOMBSTONE TRIBUTES

Rand Brooks
by: Crystal Samuelian

    Born in 1918, Rand Brooks, aside from serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, was active as an actor from the 1930s through the ’70s, a spectacularly long career that encompassed a huge variety of big screen and TV movies. Aside from being the first man to kiss Marilyn Monroe on screen, he appeared in To Hell and Back, Northwest Passage, Joan of Arc, and the landmark Gone with the Wind.

    In 1946 and ’47, Brooks enjoyed a recurring role as Lucky Jenkins in a series of Hopalong Cassidy features, and in the 1950s followed up with success on various television shows including The Roy Rogers Show and The Lone Ranger. He also was a regular—playing Cpl. Randy Boone—in the popular series about a smart canine, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin.

    In 1966, Brooks retired from acting but not from work altogether. He started Professional Ambulance Service that would eventually become the largest private ambulance 9-1-1 paramedic provider in Los Angeles County and would be widely recognized as one of the finest ambulance services in the country with a host of awards and commendations.

    Brooks was once married to Lois Laurel, daughter of comedic genius Stan Laurel. While in Hollywood, Brooks was a dialogue coach as well as a director, writer and producer for various productions. The native Californian died at his Santa Barbara ranch, of cancer.