Chris Drake

• Birth Name — James Christian Droste • Born — 11 December 1923 • Birthplace — near Richmond, Virginia, U.S. • Died — 9 July 2006 • Place of death — Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S. • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1944–1961 • Spouse — Margaret Shobe (m. 1958–2006; his death) • Children — 4 children

Drake was born near Richmond, Virginia. He traced his family's roots in Virginia back to 1638. When he was 10 years old, he moved with his family to California, after his father had developed an incurable skin condition. They settled in Manhattan Beach. Drake graduated from El Segundo High School. He joined and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1942 to 1944 during World War II and fought, as a member of Carlson's Raiders, at Guadalcanal, where he suffered multiple wounds, after which he spent over 11 months in eight Naval Hospitals and was awarded the Purple Heart. Additionally, he also received two presidential unit citations for gallantry.

After he played a bit part in an RKO film, the studio signed Drake to a long-term contract. He had the leading role in the film Forever My Love. He also co-starred in the 1954 Sci-Fi film Them! and appeared on such television series as Lassie, Stories of the Century (as Burt Alvord), Tales of Wells Fargo (as Charlie Ford), Dragnet, and The Lone Ranger. Following his acting career, he sold real estate in California, owning wholly or a portion of 11 real estate offices in and around Palos Verdes, until 1990. He retired two years later to his native Virginia, where he died in 2006, aged 82.