Actor Glenn Ford saluted in absentia

Glenn Ford was saluted in Hollywood on his 90th birthday with praise from his fellow actors and a screening of his 1946 film “Gilda.” But the actor, who also starred in such films as “Blackboard Jungle” and “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father,” was unable to attend the event Monday night as organizers had hoped.

Because of his fragile health, caused by strokes, he has been confined to his Beverly Hills home and uses a wheelchair.

“Thank you to everybody that is wishing me a happy birthday,” Ford said in a videotaped message shown by American Cinematheque at the screening at the Egyptian Theatre.

“I wish I could thank every one of you personally with good wishes to all of you.... I wish I were up and around, but I’m doing the best that I can....

“There’s so much I have to be grateful for.”