Gerald Mohr
(1914 - 1968)Gerald Mohr was one of those actors "on the cusp" between lead and character parts. He was best known as the voice of Philip Marlowe on radio but on film he was, in actuality, much more versatile. Lean, dark and swarthy looking with a laconic voice he was best suited to portray menacing, villainous types or precarious but decent folk. He was born in New York City on June 11, 1914 the son of Gerald Mohr Sr. a Viennese songstress Henrietta Noustadt. His father died when he was very young and he was raised by his grandfather, a noted psychologist. As a teen he met radio commentator Andre Baruch, while hospitalized for appendicitis, who persuaded him to audition for a radio job. He was a CBS radio correspondent for 3 years while studying pre-med at Columbia University. He later joined Orson Welle's Mercury Theatre where his acting career got off to a fine start. He made his film debut in "Love Affair" (1939) as an uncredited Extra. He starred as the Lone Wolf in that popular series of the 1940s. His career was interrupted by World War II but he returned to film after his discharge from the service. His other film credits include: "Panama Patrol" (1939) as a Pilot; "Charlie Chan at Treasure Island" (1939) as Dr. Zodiac; "Jungle Girl" (1941) as Slick Latimer; "The Adventures of Captain Marvel" (1941) a serial, as Voice of Scorpion; "Redhead from Manhattan" (1943) as Chick Andrews; "Lady of Burlesque" (1943) as Louie Grindero; "The Desert Song" (1944) as Haasan; "The Notorious Lone Wolf" (1946) as Michael Lanyard; "Gilda" (1945) with Rita Hayworth, as Captain Delgado; "Detective Story" (1951) as Tami Giacoppetti; "Sirocco" (1951) as Major Leon; "Ten Tall Men" (1951) as Caid Hussin; "The Duel at Silver Creek" (1952) as Rod Lacy; "The Eddie Cantor Story" (1953) as Rocky; "Date with Death" (1959) as Mike Mason alias Louis Deverman; "The Angry Red Planet" (1959) a film that has become a cult/camp classic, as Col. Thomas O'Bannion; "Wild West Story" (1964) as Gonzales and "Funny Girl" (1968) as Tom Branca, his final film role. On TV he was a regular on the series: "Foreign Intrigue" (1954-55) as Christopher Storm; "Maverick" (1957-58) as Doc Holliday; and "The Fantastic Four" (1967) as the Voice of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic. He also guest starred on such TV series as: "I Love Lucy"; "Zane Grey Theatre"; "Rawhide"; "Bonanza"; "Cheyenne"; "Perry Mason"; "Surfside 6"; "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."; "The Big Valley" and "Lost in Space." His first marriage to Rita Deneau produced a son, Anthony. After divorcing Ms. Deneau he married Swedish-born Mai Dietrich in 1958. He died suddenly on November 10, 1968 in Stockholm, Sweden where he was producing a television series at the age of 54.
From Great Character Actors, Page 6.
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