She was a driver and a writer too. Unlike other public figures from which there was a wealth of information to draw from, Ken Miles did not have a lot of video footage or interviews to his name. He was a key person in designing a number of Fords top performance cars during the 60s. Millie has always been supportive of her husband right from the beginning. Read more about the cast and the real-life characters they're playing below. This sequence was all an embellishment by screenwriters to establish the personalities of Shelby and Miles and to create dramatic tension. Peter Miles spouse is from Somerset. But the love and generosity shown to her were incredible. Early in Ford v Ferrari, the film introduces Ford chairman Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts), a gruff, emotionally-driven guy who wants to win at all costs both to boost his company and to live up to his daunting legacy as the third-generation head of Ford (because confusingly, Ford II was actually the original Henry Ford's grandson, not son.) But when health complications forced him to retire from the tracks, Shelby switched gears and became a car designer. I also metCaitriona Balfe and gave her snapshots of my mother and described her as best as I could, saidPeter. After the tragedy, she initially lived in California with her son, Peter. In real life, Beebe did suggest the three-way, but for good reasons. He didn't want drivers to "knock one another off" in their race to victory. The three aforementioned actors all give memorable performances, especially Duvall's gruff-yet-wise character of Harry Hogge - who famously informs Cole that "there's nothing stock about a stock car." It's a bit of dramatic fabrication to demonstrate Ford II's personality and set the plot in motion as quickly as possible. Jeff Moore was a radio producer at KFMB 760 and Jaime Miles (now Moore) was a teacher-in-training back then. Outlander actress Caitriona Balfe stars as Mollie Miles, Ken Miles' wife, in the film. He can be reached by email at cnrmail@bellsouth.net and on Twitter at @cnraymond91. It helps us as actors when you're dealing with a car driving by at 100 miles an hour. Meet Beena Patel-Minhaj, a Doctor of Public Health and Management Consultant fluent in 4 languages. Find out the life of Ken Miles son, Peter Miles, who followed in his fathers footsteps with a passion for cars. Mollie Miles is the wife of a designer and American racer, Ken Miles. The clash between the control-hungry corporate overlords from Ford and the engineers and drivers striving to make history comes to a head in one of the few moments of comic relief in Ford v Ferrari. I understand Peter was consulted about the movie. Lee Iacocca, the Ford Motor Companys executive vice president, is played by Jon Bernthal in this film. The real-life Mollie has been described as an accomplished driver in her own right, and as a person who was deeply supportive of her husband in his career. Last, but not least, on this list of great racing movies like Ford v Ferrari is 1971's Le Mans. Carroll Shelby's team, hard at work on a still-in-progress version of a car for Le Mans, receive word that Henry Ford II and sycophantic executive Leo Beebe will be visiting to check up on their progress and to deliver word that Ken Miles will not be allowed to drive in the big race. NEXT: Why Fast & Furious Movies Stopped Being About Street Racing, How Much Weight Christian Bale Has Gained & Lost For Movie Roles, Every Real-Life Character Played By Christian Bale In Movies, Why Fast & Furious Movies Stopped Being About Street Racing, Disney+: Every New Movie & TV Show Coming In May 2023, Sisu Is The Inglourious Basterds Reboot We've Been Waiting 15 Years For, Star Wars Rumor: Rey Would Have Been Recast In Lindelof's Canceled Film. Ken Miles met Mollie when he was a teen, and declared that she was to be his wife. We farewell her fondly at a Celebration of Life service at 2 p.m., Thursday Dec. 13, 2018, at Wilhelm Portland Memorial Funeral Home. Related: Every Movie Releasing In November 2019. The American Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee finished second at Le Mans in 1966. Ken Miles son Peter Miles Career Miles loved cars, and he had started riding bikes and driving cars from a very young age. All Rights Reserved. What a great innings (cricket term!). For more information, please see our While the two will eventually become thick as thieves as both colleagues and friends, the relationship gets off to a rocky start. It was a home and office for the family engineering business. He was also a key player in designing some of Fords top performance cars in the 1960s. He worked tirelessly to make sure that Ford's new GT40 put an end to Ferrari's long string of wins at Le Mans. Nevertheless, the two racers were committed to one another. He eventually became the crew chief. Peters life and his fathers legacy were recently brought to the big screen in the 2019 sports drama film Ford v Ferrari, where he was portrayed by Noah Jupe. Who Are Kelly Catlins Parents? It's implied that he made some kind of fatal mistake during his drive. Dating History And Relationship Timeline, Formula One: Is George Russell Related To Jim Russell? It's a pivotal moment for the latter, and though Ford v Ferrari changes a bit of the true story, his character comes to appreciate just how dangerous his dad's line of work truly is. By comparison, Miles' real-life death led to Ford installing a NASCAR-style rollover cage in their race cars and favoring the use of younger drivers moving forward, something that wouldn't have had the same effect in the film as it was a self-serving move for Ford rather than a respectful or personal one for Miles. Our Peter Miles wiki elaborates on his life since losing his father so tragically. Ken Miles wife, Mollie, was a racer and author who supported his career. Mollie Miles March 21,, 1916 - Dec. 4, 2018 A wonderful era has come to an end with the passing of Mollie Miles of Raleigh Hills aged 102! Trying to beat Ferrari was a challenge for Ford for a long period of time, but Ford v Ferrari focuses on one particular race which occurred in 1966. Besides, she is also a well-known television presenter. Mollie was one of the cleverest and most prolific letter writers. Even after decades, people are still curious to learn what happened to Ken Miles wife and son. But the car executive quickly moved on to Chrysler as president and is said to have saved the brand. This essentially forced Ken Miles to lose the race he had been determined to win. In November 1966, she thanked hundreds of people worldwide for sending flowers and notes through Road & Track. The only thing I can find about Mollie Miles is this article and even then it doesnt give other information about if shes still alive. As seen in Ford v Ferrari, a young Peter, who idolized his dad, and car designer Carroll Shelby were at Riverside Raceway in Southern California on August 16, 1966. However, some sites reported that Mollie Miles is still alive. Austin Dillon, an American professional stock car racing driver, is the grandson of Richard Childress, the founder and owner of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), a NASCAR Cup Series team. Ken Miles is a big name in the world of cars. Back in the real world, according to History vs Hollywood, Ford wasn't much against Ken Miles. Jaime appears to have left her job as a preschool teacher to focus on motherhood. In an interview at the Hamptons International Film Festival, Tracy Letts, who played Ford, said that he didn't do thorough research on the role, partly because he couldn't find reliable information. Peter was joined the racing car Mollie at Californias Riverside International when the accident occurred. The couple now have a son together. Miles raced for Ford in those including the Le Mans in 1965, just a year before the historic one in 1966. Im just wondering if shes done any interviews or if she was asked about Ford v. Ferrari? Years later, Beebe stated in an interview that his decision at Le Mans was partly because he was worried over safety and financial concerns. Superimposed words on the screen tell viewers that the race is being piped to American television "via satellite," but there's just no way that happened. The movie showed car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) visiting Miles widow and son after his death. With his newfound power, Ford wanted to spice things up and modernize the business he'd inherited. Heartbroken news reveals on the internet that Kens wife and his son died in an automobile race. Although partially disabled, it did not deter her from traveling well into her 90's. Miles was a transplanted Englishman who came to California in 1952 and gained fame first as a sports-car racer and builder, then as the chief development driver for Carroll Shelby. You have funeral questions, we have answers. Preference cookies enable a website to remember information that changes the way the website behaves or looks, like your preferred language or the region that you are in. (One of the big ideas: going after a victory in the Le Mans.) In Ford v. Ferrari, chameleonic Academy Award winner Christian Bale plays Ken Miles, a test driver turned engineer and race car driver who dominates the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans on behalf of the Ford Motor Company. Mollie Miles March 21,, 1916 - Dec. 4, 2018 A wonderful era has come to an end with the passing of Mollie Miles of Raleigh Hills aged 102! Mollie will be missed by all. After a bittersweet end to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966 for Ken Miles Ford wins, but the driver technically comes in second place during a simultaneous finish by Ford's top three cars the story ends on a deeply sad and tragic note. He has a degree in journalism from the University of Montevallo, and is the author of the psychological thriller and time travel novel, "A Man Against the World." In Ford v Ferrari, a big source of that simmering push-and-pull is the relationship between the prim and proper Ford executive board collective particularly Henry Ford II and Leo Beebe and Carroll Shelby, regarding the employment of test driver Ken Miles. Among many accomplishments throughout his tenure at the company, he is linked to launching the Ford Mustang in 1967 and praised as a great salesman. He was a key person in designing a number of Fords top performance cars during the 60s. WebFamily & Wife Ken Miles was born to Eric Miles and Clarice Jarvis. She was a driver and a writer too. I also met Caitriona Balfe and gave her snapshots of my mother and described her as best as I could. He's previously starred in the movies Lion and Alien: Covenant. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life of Ken Miles and how his death impacted his family, including Mollie and their son Peter. Ken Miles was testing out the Ford J Car that was still in its experimental stages before they could consider debuting it at the famous Le Mans race the following year. JJ Field as Roy Lunn: Engineer Roy Lunn, at the direction of Henry Ford II, was instrumental in the design of the first GT40. Mollie Miles obituary Mollie Miles 1916-2018 March 21, 1916 to December 4, 2018 A wonderful era has come to an end with the passing of Mollie Miles of Raleigh Hills aged 102! David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. It's a pivotal moment for the latter, and though Ford v Ferrari changes a bit of the true story, his character comes to appreciate just how dangerous his dad's line of work truly is. Another racing movie that more than holds its own is Days Of Thunder, which stars notably young Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and Robert Duvall while telling the story of a young American racer named Cole Trickle. Find Listings Fast: Use Directory Assistance, Master Celebrity Management: Organize, Plan & Tech-Savvy, Autograph Tips: Be Prepared with Pen and Paper (or T-Shirt), Nail Care 101: Clip and File for a Modern Look, The Importance of Exercise for a Healthy Lifestyle, Find a Nanny Agency: Tips for Landing a Celebrity Nanny Job, Stand Out on Instagram: Post Comments That Matter to Celebrities, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Benjamin Rigby as Bruce McLaren: McLaren is one of the winning drivers of the '66 Le Mans. Forbes says it's extremely unlikely that such a speech from Ford II ever occurred. With their teamwork, Ford Motor Co. went on to win at Le Mans 66, but although the race was a victory for the company, it was a blow to Miles, who didn't emerge as the winning driver due to a technicality, despite his car being the fastest. Working with both Shelby and Miles allowed Ford to revamp his car lineup, ultimately leading the company to victory at Le Mans in 1966. Bernard Cahier/Getty Peter was joined the racing car Mollie at Californias Riverside International when the accident occurred. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. Does she have any siblings? Such was the courtship, that even their school wanted to put an end to the Mollie business. His persistence led him to have her as his wife and a decent career, though he was not people-pleaser enough to rise to the top. A few months later, Miles was test-driving for Shelby American when the car caught on fire, killing him. Nothing much about Mollie is known rather than she is the wife to Ken. Ken won in both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. He was also a close friend of Carroll Shelby. The real-life Mollie has been described as an accomplished driver in her own right, and as a person who was deeply supportive of her husband in his career. Alex Gurney as Dan Gurney: Race car driver Alex Gurney plays his father, Dan Gurney, who was a professional racer and instructor. Lets check her family background. The couples were all asked to be tight-lipped about the wedding ceremony. The late racers spouse also used to be a racer. Mollie Miles obituary Mollie Miles 1916-2018 March 21, 1916 to December 4, 2018 A wonderful era has come to an end with the passing of Mollie Miles of Raleigh Hills aged 102! The website cannot function properly without these cookies. Our sympathy to all the Miles family. Pretty much all sports movies end with the hero winning the big game or the big race. He's previously appeared in Honey Boy and A Quiet Place. After moving to Hawaii, he told me his wife, Mollie, and son, Peter, became estranged and made off with his money." Ken and Mollie have been married since before World War II. It's a pivotal moment for the latter, and though Ford v Ferrari changes a bit of the true story, his character comes to appreciate just how dangerous his dad's line of work truly is. Peter was almost 16 when he witnessed his father's death in the prototype J-car crash in 1966. Afterward, he was offered a job in California that allowed driving to once again become the focal point of his life. When it's all over, he starts sobbing and cedes some control to Shelby. "I called Ken Miles in and held him back because I was afraid the drivers would knock one another off," Beebe said in an interview, excepted byHemmings. Ken Miles Death in 1966. This occurred just as the driver was approaching the end of the track and after an entire day's worth of test runs. The outcome of the race is a highly celebrated moment for racing enthusiasts. Mollie is the wife of Christian Bale's character, Ken Miles. Movies need dramatic tension. Bale tends to disappear completely into his roles, gaining or losing tremendous amounts of weight as required to embody that person's physicality, and adopting accents and mannerisms as he sees fit. Peter Miles was born on September 28, 1950 to Ken Miles and his wife, Mollie Miles. Just a few months after the climactic race, Miles gets back to work, preparing already for the '67 Le Mans by test driving a J-type on a track in Riverside, California. Their quest is the story behind the major movie Ford v Ferrari, with Matt Damon portraying Shelby and Christian Bale playing Miles. Its unclear when Ken and Mollie Miles married. It's a ridiculous, hilarious scene, in which Shelby cruises at ludicrous speeds with Ford II riding shotgun and screaming at the top of his lungs, partly in exhilaration, and partly in terror. After the tragedy, she remained in California with her kid and family. Cookie Notice Dating History And Relationship TimelineContinue, Is George Russell related to Jim Russell, or do the two British racers only share the same last name? Herbert Russell, also known as, Read More Formula One: Is George Russell Related To Jim Russell? The J-car testing was halted before resuming with Miles at the wheel. Bale is no stranger to taking on roles that represent real people, such as that of Dick Cheney in Vice and John Rolfe in The New World, but Ken Miles was a special case. Lee Iacocca, the Ford Motor Companys executive vice president, is played by Jon Bernthal in this film. It's just not plausible that Ford II, the guy at the top of the company food chain, would deign to address the rank-and-file. Tracy Letts is an actor who has worked in several critically-acclaimed films, including Lady Bird, The Post, and The Lovers. The film sadly depicts how, just a few months after Ford defeated Ferrari at the 1966 Le Mans (and he missed out on being the individual winner on a technicality), the Ken Miles death saw him killed while testing out a new Ford vehicle (the J-car) at the Riverside International Raceway in Southern California. WebKen Miles was married to Mollie and had a son, Peter Miles (born September 28, 1950). McKinnon has starred in major films such as The Blind Side, Apollo 13, andO Brother, Where Art Thou?. At the Telluride Film Festival, Lucas spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the film's authenticity, in particular its use of actual racing cars instead of visual effects. At home, Ken actively worked around the House and in the garden, but he would expect Peters help. Naomi schiff Parents And Family Ethnicity, Max Verstappen Tattoo Meaning And Design: What Is Wrong With His Teeth, Is Lewis Hamilton Related To Alexander Hamilton? The first live, international satellite broadcast, a variety show called Our World (which featured The Beatles playing "All You Need is Love"), was staged in 1967, which obviously went down after the 1966 Le Mans race. George Russell is currently competing in Formula One for Mercedes. You have a great soul, Granny Miles. Christian Bale - the star of Christopher Nolan's TheDark Knight trilogy as well as films like Terminator Salvation and The Big Short - recently put on a lot of weight to play Dick Cheney in Vice, but lost it to portray Ken Miles alongside Matt Damon's Shelby in Ford v Ferrari. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life of Ken Miles and how his death impacted his family, including Mollie and their son Peter. According to Mollie, nothing could make up for what she lost. Read More. Both Miles' wife, Mollie (Caitriona Balfe), and his young son Pete (Noah Jupe) are present for the crash. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Reception to follow. Its unclear when Ken and Mollie Miles married. WebKen Miles, (Born on September 28, 1950, currently age 72 years old. Hopefully, Ken Miles widow is enjoying her life away from the media scrutiny. Better, faster, and more interesting cars, as demonstrated on an international scale by race car drivers, would bolster sales. Ken Miles s wife Mollie Miles and her son Peter making headlines on the internet those days. Like other previously mentioned racing films, Le Mans deals with the weighty, ever-present risks affixed to life as a professional racecar driver. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Forbes says there's certainly no way that Shelby would have or would've been allowed to take the head of a company out for a spin without any safety precautions. Well, to find out more about their relationship and family tree, keep reading this article. If he felt such a speech was necessary, he would have delegated the job to one of his many assistants or direct underlings. He also worked as crew chief for off-road racing legend Ivan Stewart at the 1991 Nissan 400 in which Stewart won. One of the most influential sports car racing engineers and drivers of the golden age, Ken Miles passed away nearly six decades after the famous motorsports personality passed while testing Fords J-Car. Ken Miles son Peter Miles Career Miles loved cars, and he had started riding bikes and driving cars from a very young age. While that's a powerful cinematic moment, it's just that Enzo Ferrari didn't congratulate Shelby at the Le Mans in 1966 because, as History vs Hollywood points out, he didn't even attend the Le Mans in 1966. Ford executive Lee Iacocca (Jon Bernthal, pictured) suggests getting a jumpstart by purchasing Scuderia Ferrari, and heads to Italy to make a deal with Enzo Ferrari who backs out of it and sells to Fiat instead. At San Diego News and Talk Radio station 760 KFMB, Jeff works as a producer, production assistant, and board operator. Thinking of Mollie and all of her terrific children, grandchildren, great grandchildren as well as her extended family worldwide. Peter Miles was born on September 28, 1950 to Ken Miles and his wife, Mollie Miles. You are dearly missed. That's how he said it to me. So, Shelby connives to get his way, locking Beebe in and then taking Ford II for a high-speed, heart-stopping ride in that race car. While the title Ford v Ferrari implies a rivalry between Henry Ford (or Henry Ford II) and Enzo Ferrari, the film is actually about the Ford company's push to beat Ferrari's company in an important auto race. 3 Was Improv, James Gunn Reveals. The sudden change of plans fueled Henry Ford II to create his own engine, one that would not only be faster than the Ferrari, but also win a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a celebrated car race. The accident is believed to have been due to a mechanical failure, not driver error. Mollie is the wife of Christian Bale's character, Ken Miles. Peter Miles currently lives in Monterey, California with his family. Find out if the prominent car reading driver and engineer Ken Miles wife is dead or alive. Noah Jupe as Peter Miles: Peter Miles is the teenage son of Ken Miles. In an interview with 24H Le Mans, Peter said that his Father used to play remote-controlled cars with him and take him to the testing sessions. The married duo is the proud parents of a daughter, Jaime Miles. At a Toronto Film Festival press conference, Balfe said that the married couple have a solid friendship, which works in their favor. Miles was brought in by the Ford Motor Company to help gain a victory over Ferrari that had long been denied to them. I have always felt your love despite being many many miles away - it arrived in your frequent letters which I now treasure. Web1.1K views 8 months ago Mollie Miles is the wife of a designer and American racer, Ken Miles. Wish I would of know her , just reading about her she was an inspiration and a beautiful sole. [His death] was quite a loss for all those guys.". What an inspiration you were to the living sole nothing was a problem everyone you touched were inspired. Christian Bale, who had previously worked with director James Mangold on his 3:10 to Yuma remake, costars as Ken Miles, the highly talented but hot-tempered World War II vet-turned-professional driver whom Shelby (being an old acquaintance) enlists to help him. Ken Miles son Peter Miles Career Miles loved cars, and he had started riding bikes and driving cars from a very young age. So, Is Lewis Hamilton Related To Alexander Hamilton? Featuring iconic movie star Steve McQueen, this aptly-named racing flick stars among other important characters McQueen as Porsche team racer Michael Delaney and Ferrari driver Erich Stahler (Siegfried Rauch). There has been significant curiosity about Mollie Miles death. Therefore, Bale had to rely heavily on Peter's recollection. Peter Miles is currently married to his wife Patti Montgomery Miles. WebKen Miles, (Born on September 28, 1950, currently age 72 years old. Mollie Miles is Christian Bales characters wife in The Dark Knight Rises, and Caitriona Balfe plays her in the film.