- published: 27 Apr 2016
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Ken Christy (November 23, 1894—November 23, 1962), was an American television, film and radio character actor.
His birthname was Robert Kenneth Christy. He was the second of three children of Alice Christy and Olivier B. Christy. Christy was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania. According to Census records, Christy had served in World War I.
The actor started his career on radio programs. From the early 1930s, he had a nearly three decade career on radio, with roles in such popular radio series as Little Orphan Annie, where he played Mr. Bonds, The Great Gildersleeve on which he was a regular as The Chief of Police, as well as portraying several dramatic roles on Suspense. A versatile artist, he was equally comfortable in serious minded programs, such as The Fifth Horseman, Gangbusters, Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy, and The Saint as he was with comedy series like Amos 'n' Andy, A Day in the Life of Dennis Day, and The Alan Young Show.
Christy appeared in 144 films and television programs between 1940 and 1962 and many of his films list him as uncredited. His first acting role was in the film Foreign Correspondent (1940) and his career ended with the television series Shannon (1962).
War Machine (James Rupert "Rhodey" Rhodes) is a fictional superhero appearing in comic books set in the Marvel Comics universe. The character of James Rhodes first appeared in Iron Man #118 (January 1979) by David Michelinie, John Byrne, and Bob Layton. The War Machine armor, which became his signature armored battlesuit, was designed by Len Kaminski and Kevin Hopgood.
In 2012, War Machine was ranked 31st in IGN's list of "The Top 50 Avengers". The character has been featured in the Iron Man animated series, the Iron Man: Armored Adventures series, and the animated film The Invincible Iron Man. He has been portrayed by Terrence Howard in the 2008 Iron Man film and by Don Cheadle in Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Avengers: Age of Ultron and the upcoming Captain America: Civil War.
Initially a supporting character in volume one of Iron Man, Rhodes later assumed the mantle of Iron Man after Tony Stark's relapse into alcoholism in issue #170 (May 1983). The character would continue in a supporting role and later resume the role of Iron Man following Stark's purported death in issue #284 (Sept. 1992). After Stark's return to the role of Iron Man, Rhodes continued as the superhero War Machine and made his solo series debut in an eponymous title after being featured as a supporting character in the superhero-team series Avengers West Coast.