Russell Gleason
Russell Gleason | |
---|---|
File:RussellGleason.AllQuietOnTheWesternFront.1930.jpg | |
Born | |
Died | December 26, 1945 | (aged 38)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1929–1944 |
Spouse | Cynthia Lindsay (?-1945) (his death) |
Children | Michael Lindsay |
Parent(s) | James Gleason Lucille Gleason |
Russell Gleason (February 6, 1907 - December 26, 1945) was an American actor who began his career at the very beginning of the talking film era.
Born into an acting family, one of his earliest roles was in the 1930 classic film, All Quiet on the Western Front. While still in the middle of successful acting career, Gleason joined the U.S. Army in late 1943, during World War II. While awaiting deployment to Europe in December 1945, Gleason fell to his death from a hotel window.
Early life
Gleason was born to actors James Gleason and Lucille Gleason in Portland, Oregon on February 6, 1907.[1] As a child, Gleason would appear on stage in some of the theatrical productions put on by his parents.[2]
Career
Gleason's first foray into film was when he was 21, with a leading role in 1929's The Shady Lady, directed by Edward H. Griffith.[3] The following year he would have a critical success in his role of Private Mueller in the Oscar-winning film, All Quiet on the Western Front.[1] His short career would only span 15 years, during which time he would appear in over 50 feature films, mostly in featured or starring roles.[4] He would appear with both of his parents in the film series surrounding The Higgins Family, of which nine films were made from 1938 to 1941. The Gleasons would appear in seven of those films, the last one being Grandpa Goes to Town in 1940 (the last two "Higgins" films were made with other actors).[5] He would also appear in "The Jones Family" series, produced by 20th Century Fox.
After making his last film, The Adventures of Mark Twain, which finished production in September of 1942, he would join the Army. His final four pictures would all be released in 1944, after he was already in the service.
Personal life and death
Gleason was married to Cynthia Lindsay, an actress who would later write a biography of Boris Karloff, who was a close friend of the Gleasons.[2]
On December 26, 1945, Gleason was in New York City awaiting deployment to Europe with his regiment when he fell to his death out of a fourth story window in the Hotel Sutton, which the army had commandeered to house the troops. Reports varied, some saying the fall was accidental, while others stating it was a suicide. [1]
Filmography
- The Shady Lady (1929) - Haley
- The Flying Fool (1929) - Jimmy Taylor
- Seven Faces (1929) - Georges Dufeyel
- The Sophomore (1929) - Dutch
- Strange Cargo (1929) - Hungerford
- All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) - Private Mueller
- Officer O'Brien (1930) - Johnny Dale
- Sisters (1930) - Eddie
- Beyond Victory (1931) - Russell "Bud
- The Homicide Squad (1931) - Joe Riley
- Laugh and Get Rich (1931) - Larry Owens
- Nice Women (1931) - Billy Wells
- The Strange Case of Clara Deane (1932) - Norman Ware
- Private Jones (1933) - Williams
- I Can't Escape (1934) - Tom Martin
- Hot Tip (1935) - Ben Johnson
- Condemned to Live (1935) - David
- Hitch Hike to Heaven (1936) - Daniel Delaney
- A Tenderfoot Goes West (1936) - Pike
- The Jones Family in Big Business (1937) - Herbert Thompson
- Off to the Races (1937) - Herbert Thompson
- Borrowing Trouble (1937) - Herbert Thompson
- Hot Water (1937) - Herbert Thompson
- Fury Below (1938) - Jim Cole, 3rd
- The Higgins Family (1938) - Sidney Higgins (first of a series)
- A Trip to Paris (1938) - Herbert Thompson
- Safety in Numbers (1938) - Herbert Thompson
- Love on a Budget (1938) - Herbert Thompson
- Down on the Farm (1938) - Herbert Thompson
- Should Husbands Work? (1939) - Sidney Higgins
- My Wife's Relatives (1939) - Sidney Higgins
- Here I Am a Stranger (1939) - Tom Sortwell
- Undercover Agent (1939) - William Trent
- Everybody's Baby (1939) - Herbert Thompson
- The Covered Trailer (1939) - Sidney Higgins
- News Is Made at Night (1939) - Albert Hockman
- Money to Burn (1939) - Sidney Higgins
- Earl of Puddlestone (1940) - Sidney Higgins
- Grandpa Goes to Town (1940) - Sidney Higgins
- Yesterday's Heroes (1940) - Bill Garrett
- Young as You Feel (1940) - Herbert Thompson
- Unexpected Uncle (1941) - Tommy Turner
- Dudes Are Pretty People (1942) - Brad
- Fingers at the Window (1942) - Ogilvie
- Salute to the Marines (1943) - Private Hanks
- Swing Shift Maisie (1943) - Inspector
- Three Hearts for Julia (1943) - Jones
- Lost Angel (1944) - Reporter
- Swing Fever (1944) - Sergeant
- Meet the People (1944) - Bill
- The Adventures of Mark Twain (1944) - Orion Clemens
References
- ^ a b c "Russell Gleason". Find a Grave. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; October 23, 2014 suggested (help) - ^ a b "Russell Gleason Pics". All Star Pics. Archived from the original on September 1, 2014.
- ^ "The Shady Lady: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- ^ a b "Russell Gleason". American Film Institute. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- ^ "The Higgins Family: Notes". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; October 23, 2014 suggested (help)