Henry Wadsworth (actor) explained

Henry Wadsworth
Birth Date:June 18, 1903
Death Place:New York City, U.S.
Resting Place:Maysville Cemetery
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:1927 - 1952

Henry Wadsworth (June 18, 1903  - December 5, 1974) was an American actor best known for appearing in Applause (1929), The Thin Man (1934), and Mark of the Vampire (1935).

Early life

Joseph Henry Wadsworth was born on June 18, 1903, to John Gray Wadsworth and Ida Power Wadsworth, who were married in 1894. Henry Wadsworth's ancestors first arrived in Hartford, Connecticut from England in 1632. He was the grandson of William Henry Wadsworth, who was a well-known lawyer, orator, and congressman.

Wadsworth attended the University of Kentucky after graduating from Maysville High School in 1921.[1]

He enrolled in Carnegie Institute of Technology's drama school before starting his acting career.

Career

Wadsworth made his first appearance in film in the title role of Howard Lindsay's Tommy in late 1927,[2] following which he went on to appear in films like Applause, made under Paramount production. The film also marked Helen Morgan's debut.[3]

He played minor roles in Operator 13 (alongside Marion Davies) and in Fast and Loose before having a supporting role in W.S. Van Dyke's The Thin Man. He also appeared in The Voice of Bugle Ann, This Side of Heaven, All-Legit Cast, Mark of the Vampire, Sitting on the Moon, and Dr. Kildare Goes Home.

Wadsworth was cast in The Big Broadcast series' The Big Broadcast of 1936.

He retired from acting in the late 1950s; his last appearance was in Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Happy Time alongside Leora Dana and Eva Gabor. He joined the US Navy during World War II and remained there for two and a half years.

Death

Wadsworth died on December 5, 1974, at St. Luke's Hospital, New York City, at the age of 71. He is interred in Maysville Cemetery in Maysville, Kentucky.[4]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1929Applause Tony
1930Slightly Scarlet Sandy Weyman
1930Fast and Loose Bertie Lenox
1933Luxury Liner Fritz
1933Soldiers of the Storm Dodie
1933Hold the Press Frankie White
1934This Side of Heaven Hal
1934The Show-Off Joe Fisher
1934The Thin Man Tommy
1934Operator 13 John Pelham
1934Dangerous Corner Gordon Whitehouse
1934Evelyn Prentice Chester Wylie
1935West Point of the Air Lieutenant Pettis
1935Mark of the Vampire Fedor Vincente
1935The Big Broadcast of 1936 Smiley
1936Ceiling Zero Tay Lawson
1936The Voice of Bugle Ann Bake Royster
1936Sitting on the Moon Charlie Lane
1938Doctor Rhythm Otis Eaton (The Drunk)
1940Dr. Kildare Goes Home Collins
1943Silver Skates Tom
1945Secret Agent X-9 Jack Roberts Serial, Uncredited, (final film role)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Toncray. Marla. Remembering actor Joseph Henry Wadsworth. Ledger Independent. 19 July 2013. 8 July 2016.
  2. News: Henry Wadsworth, Stage, Film Actor. The New York Times. 7 December 1974.
  3. Book: Reid, John Howard. Success in the Cinema: Money Making Movies and Critic's Choices. 2006. Lulu.com. 978-1-84728-088-6. 8 July 2016. Google Books.
  4. Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.