#M ANNOTATED LLM RESPONSE
In the film Hud (1963), the oldest cast member at the time of filming was John Roy (born John Roy Marsilio), who was 64 years old during production.
While Melvyn Douglas (the film's co-star) is the most prominent "elderly" figure in the movie and is frequently cited in trivia regarding his age and heart condition, Roy was technically older.
Details of the Oldest Cast Members:
- John Roy (Oldest Overall): Born on May 3, 1898, Roy was 64 years old when filming took place between May and August 1962. A veteran bit-part actor and acrobat with over 300 credits, his role in Hud was that of a Show Spectator (or "Audience Member") during the town's entertainment scenes.
- Sol Murgi (Second Oldest): Born on August 5, 1900, Murgi was 61 years old during the majority of filming (turning 62 just as production wrapped). Like Roy, he appeared in an uncredited role as a Townsman/Audience Member.
- Melvyn Douglas (Oldest Principal Star): Born on April 5, 1901, Douglas was 61 years old during filming. He played the pivotal role of Homer Bannon, the principled and aging patriarch of the Bannon ranch. His performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Production was notably delayed or nearly recast because Paramount Pictures was hesitant to insure him due to a recent heart condition, but director Martin Ritt insisted on his casting.
Role Summary for Melvyn Douglas (Homer Bannon):
As the oldest member of the main cast, Melvyn Douglas's role as Homer Bannon served as the moral anchor of the film. His character is a traditional Texas cattleman who represents the vanishing values of the Old West. The film's primary conflict centers on his disdain for the amoral, modern ways of his son, Hud (Paul Newman), and his attempt to protect his grandson, Lonnie (Brandon deWilde), from Hud's corrupting influence. Douglas's real-life age and frailty at the time (emphasized by his recent heart issues) added a layer of poignant realism to his portrayal of a man watching his way of life—and his family's integrity—dissolve.
#F CORRECTION FEED (CLICK TO SEARCH)
[1] John Roy's birth date of May 3, 1898 is confirmed by multiple sources including IMDb, Classic Movie Hub, and Find a Grave. Filming dates of May-August 1962 are confirmed by Wikipedia and AFI Catalog. This makes him 64 years old during production, the oldest cast member.
[2] Melvyn Douglas (born April 5, 1901) was indeed 61 during filming and is prominently featured. Wikipedia confirms Paramount's concerns about his heart condition. While Douglas was a major star, John Roy was technically older by about 3 years.
[3] Birth date May 3, 1898 confirmed by multiple sources. Filming period of May-August 1962 confirmed by Wikipedia (location filming began May 21, 1962, finished by second week of June; studio work began first week of July, completed August 1, 1962).
[4] No sources found confirm the specific claim of 'over 300 credits' or that John Roy was an 'acrobat.' While he clearly had an extensive filmography of uncredited roles from 1930-1969, and Classic Movie Hub mentions 'over 300 credits' in passing in one description, this specific number cannot be independently verified through IMDb or other detailed filmography sources. The 'acrobat' claim appears nowhere in searched sources.
[5] IMDb's full cast & crew page for Hud (1963) lists John Roy as 'Show Spectator (uncredited)'. This role would have been during town entertainment/rodeo scenes.
[6] Sol Murgi's birth date of August 5, 1900 is confirmed by IMDb and FilmAffinity. He would have been 61 for most of filming (May-June 1962) and turned 62 on August 5, 1962, just as production was completing. IMDb confirms his uncredited 'Show Spectator' role.
[7] All facts confirmed: Melvyn Douglas born April 5, 1901 (age 61 during filming); played Homer Bannon; won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Confirmed by Wikipedia, IMDb, TCM, and multiple other sources.
[8] Wikipedia states: 'Although Paramount was doubtful about casting Melvyn Douglas due to his heart condition, Martin Ritt insisted that he was the right actor for the role.' Note: The summary says 'delayed or nearly recast' but sources only mention hesitation about insurance/casting, not actual delays.
[9] Character description is accurate. Homer Bannon is described consistently across sources as the principled patriarch who conflicts with his amoral son Hud. The relationship with grandson Lonnie (Brandon deWilde) and the moral themes are confirmed by plot descriptions in Wikipedia, Britannica, and other sources. Douglas's age and health adding realism to the role is a reasonable interpretive claim supported by production context.
In the film *Hud* (1963), the oldest cast member at the time of filming was **John Roy** (born John Roy Marsilio), who was **64 years old** during production.
While **Melvyn Douglas** (the film's co-star) is the most prominent "elderly" figure in the movie and is frequently cited in trivia regarding his age and heart condition, Roy was technically older.
### Details of the Oldest Cast Members:
* **John Roy (Oldest Overall):** Born on May 3, 1898, Roy was 64 years old when filming took place between May and August 1962. A veteran bit-part actor and acrobat with over 300 credits, his role in *Hud* was that of a **Show Spectator** (or "Audience Member") during the town's entertainment scenes.
* **Sol Murgi (Second Oldest):** Born on August 5, 1900, Murgi was **61 years old** during the majority of filming (turning 62 just as production wrapped). Like Roy, he appeared in an uncredited role as a **Townsman/Audience Member**.
* **Melvyn Douglas (Oldest Principal Star):** Born on April 5, 1901, Douglas was **61 years old** during filming. He played the pivotal role of **Homer Bannon**, the principled and aging patriarch of the Bannon ranch. His performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Production was notably delayed or nearly recast because Paramount Pictures was hesitant to insure him due to a recent heart condition, but director Martin Ritt insisted on his casting.
### Role Summary for Melvyn Douglas (Homer Bannon):
As the oldest member of the main cast, Melvyn Douglas's role as **Homer Bannon** served as the moral anchor of the film. His character is a traditional Texas cattleman who represents the vanishing values of the Old West. The film's primary conflict centers on his disdain for the amoral, modern ways of his son, Hud (Paul Newman), and his attempt to protect his grandson, Lonnie (Brandon deWilde), from Hud's corrupting influence. Douglas's real-life age and frailty at the time (emphasized by his recent heart issues) added a layer of poignant realism to his portrayal of a man watching his way of life—and his family's integrity—dissolve.