Eric Linden (September 15, 1909 – July 14, 1994) was an American actor, primarily active during the 1930s.

Early years

Eric Linden was born in New York City to Phillip and Elvira (née Lundborg) Linden, both of Swedish descent. His father was a professional

pianist A pianist ( , ) is an individual musician who plays the piano. Since most forms of Western music can make use of the piano, pianists have a wide repertoire and a wide variety of styles to choose from, among them traditional classical music, ja ...

and an actor on stage with the Theater Royal when he lived in Stockholm, Sweden. When Eric was six, Phillip Linden deserted his family in New York City. To help support his mother, sister and two brothers, he began washing dishes at a cafe after school when he was 7 years old. He also sold newspapers on Tenth Avenue. Linden attended Angela Patri elementary school and participated in school plays at

DeWitt Clinton High School , motto_translation = Without Work Nothing Is Accomplished , image = DeWitt Clinton High School front entrance IMG 7441 HLG.jpg , seal_image = File:Clinton News.JPG , seal_size = 124px , ...

. After graduation, he worked his way through

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

. His first job after graduating from Columbia was being a runner for a bank.

Writing

Linden had ambitions of becoming a writer rather than an actor. By the time he was 22 years old, he had written three plays and 40 short stories, but none had been published. He hoped to have saved enough money by age 30 to retire from acting and spend his time writing.

Stage

Linden trained with the

Theatre Guild The Theatre Guild is a theatrical society founded in New York City in 1918 by Lawrence Langner, Philip Moeller, Helen Westley and Theresa Helburn. Langner's wife, Armina Marshall, then served as a co-director. It evolved out of the work of the W ...

for two years and went on to appear on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

in addition to acting in stock theater in

Stockbridge, Massachusetts Stockbridge is a town in Berkshire County in Western Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,018 at the 2020 census. A year-round resort area, Stockbridge is h ...

and acting in Paris, France, with the Paris-American Company. He appeared in an adaption of

Goethe's Faust ''Faust'' is a tragic play in two parts by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, usually known in English as '' Faust, Part One'' and ''Faust, Part Two''. Nearly all of Part One and the majority of Part Two are written in rhymed verse. Although rarely s ...

on Broadway in 1928. Linden's other Broadway's credits include ''The Silver Cord'', ''The Age of Consent'', ''Life Begins'', ''Sweepings'', and ''Big City Blues''.

Film career

Linden made his film debut during the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

RKO Radio Pictures RKO Radio Pictures Inc., commonly known as RKO Pictures or simply RKO, was an American film production and distribution company, one of the "Big Five" film studios of Hollywood's Golden Age. The business was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orphe ...

' 1931 crime film, ''

Are These Our Children? ''Are These Our Children?'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Wesley Ruggles and written by Howard Estabrook. The film stars Eric Linden, Ben Alexander, Beryl Mercer, Mary Kornman, Arline Judge, and Rochelle Hudson. The film ...

'', where he played a young murderer who gets executed. He afterwards appeared in 33 films until 1941, mostly playing boyish second leads with occasional leading roles in smaller pictures. Eric Linden-Jean Arthur in The Past of Mary Holmes

Eric Linden-Jean Arthur in The Past of Mary Holmes

Eric Linden-Joyce Compton in Let 'Em Have It

Linden frequently portrayed "sensitive, intellectual, slightly weak-willed juveniles", sometimes with tragic destinies. His notable films include '' Big City Blues'' (1932) with

Joan Blondell Joan Blondell (born Rose Joan Bluestein; August 30, 1906 – December 25, 1979) was an American actress who performed in film and television for 50 years. Blondell began her career in vaudeville. After winning a beauty pageant, she embarked on ...

, ''

Old Hutch ''Old Hutch'' is a 1936 American romantic comedy film directed by J. Walter Ruben and starring Wallace Beery as a man who finds $100,000 in the depths of the Depression. It is a remake of the 1920 Will Rogers film '' Honest Hutch.'' Cast *Wall ...

'' (1936) opposite

Wallace Beery Wallace Fitzgerald Beery (April 1, 1885 – April 15, 1949) was an American film and stage actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in ''Min and Bill'' (1930) opposite Marie Dressler, as General Director Preysing in ''Grand Hotel'' (193 ...

, ''

Ah, Wilderness! ''Ah, Wilderness!'' is a comedy by American playwright Eugene O'Neill that premiered on Broadway at the Guild Theatre on October 2, 1933. It differs from a typical O'Neill play in its happy ending for the central character, and depiction of a ...

'' (1935) and '' A Family Affair'' (1937), both with

Lionel Barrymore Lionel Barrymore (born Lionel Herbert Blythe; April 28, 1878 – November 15, 1954) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio as well as a film director. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in ''A Free Soul'' (1931) ...

and

Mickey Rooney Mickey Rooney (born Joseph Yule Jr.; other pseudonym Mickey Maguire; September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014) was an American actor. In a career spanning nine decades, he appeared in more than 300 films and was among the last surviving stars of the ...

, and ''

The Good Old Soak ''The Good Old Soak'' is a 1937 drama film starring Wallace Beery and directed by J. Walter Ruben from a screenplay by A. E. Thomas based upon the 1922 stage play of the same name by Don Marquis. The picture's supporting cast features Una Merk ...

'' (1937), again with Wallace Beery. In 1939, Linden had a small but memorable role in the hospital in ''

Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to: * ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell * ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel Gone with the Wind may also refer to: Music * ''Gone with the Wind'' ...

'' (1939) as the desperate soldier whose leg has to be amputated without chloroform; Linden's role was originally planned to be more extensive, but his screen time was reduced to less than a minute in post-production. His career petered out and he left Hollywood after his final role, a leading part in the low-budget-picture ''

Criminals Within ''Criminals Within'' (also issued as ''Army Mystery'') is a 1941 American drama film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and starring Eric Linden, Ben Alexander and Donald Curtis. It was released on June 27, 1941. Cast list * Eric Linden as Corporal Gr ...

'' (1941).

Later years

Eric Linden played in a few stage roles and then served in the Second World War. He later retired from acting and worked for the County of

Orange Orange most often refers to: *Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis'' ** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower *Orange (colour), from the color of an orange, occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum * ...

in California. He married late in life in 1955, age 46; he and wife Jo Brown, an artist, settled in Laguna Beach, California and had three children: Karen, David and Andrea. They divorced in 1977.

Death

Linden died on July 14, 1994, in South Laguna Beach, California, aged 84.

Recognition

Linden has a star at 7098 Hollywood Boulevard in the Motion Pictures section of the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...

. It was dedicated on February 8, 1960.

Filmography

* ''

'' (1931) - Edward 'Eddie' Brand * ''

Young Bride ''Young Bride'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by William A. Seiter and written by Garrett Fort, Ralph Murphy and Jane Murfin. The film stars Helen Twelvetrees, Eric Linden, Arline Judge, Roscoe Ates and Polly Walters. The film ...

'' (1932) - Charlie Riggs * '' The Crowd Roars'' (1932) - Edward 'Eddie' Greer * ''

The Roadhouse Murder ''The Roadhouse Murder'' is a 1932 American pre-Code thriller film directed by J. Walter Ruben and written by J. Walter Ruben and Gene Fowler. The film stars Dorothy Jordan, Eric Linden, Purnell Pratt, Roscoe Ates and David Landau. The film w ...

'' (1932) - Chick Brian * '' The Age of Consent'' (1932) - Duke Galloway * '' Life Begins'' (1932) - Jed Sutton * '' Big City Blues'' (1932) - Bud Reeves * ''

Afraid to Talk ''Afraid to Talk'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Edward L. Cahn and written by Tom Reed. The film stars Eric Linden, Sidney Fox, Tully Marshall, Louis Calhern, George Meeker and Robert Warwick. Release The film was relea ...

'' (1932) - Eddie Martin * ''

No Other Woman ''No Other Woman'' is a 2011 Filipino romantic drama film starring Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsay, and Cristine Reyes. The film is notable for breaking box office records in the Philippines. It currently holds the title of third highest grossing Fil ...

'' (1933) - Joe Zarcovia * ''

The Past of Mary Holmes ''The Past of Mary Holmes'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film, directed by Harlan Thompson and Slavko Vorkapich, and released by RKO. The film is a remake of the silent film ''The Goose Woman'' (1925), which is based on a short story by Re ...

'' (1933) - Geoffrey Holmes * ''

Sweepings ''Sweepings'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by John Cromwell, written by Lester Cohen, and starring Lionel Barrymore, Eric Linden, William Gargan, Gloria Stuart and Alan Dinehart. It was released on April 14, 1933, by RKO Pictu ...

'' (1933) - Freddie Pardway * '' The Silver Cord'' (1933) - Robert Phelps * '' Flying Devils'' (1933) - Bud Murray * ''

I Give My Love ''I Give My Love'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Karl Freund and written by Doris Anderson and Milton Krims. The film stars Paul Lukas, Wynne Gibson, Eric Linden, Anita Louise, John Darrow and Dorothy Appleby. The film was released ...

'' (1934) - Paul Vadja Jr. - at Age 21 * ''

Let 'Em Have It ''Let 'Em Have It'' is a 1935 American gangster film directed by Sam Wood. The film was also known under the title ''False Faces'' in the United Kingdom and ''The Legion of Valour'' in Australia. Plot An FBI agent tracks down a gang leader. Cast ...

'' (1935) - Buddy Spencer * ''

Ladies Crave Excitement ''Ladies Crave Excitement'' is a 1935 American action–comedy drama film released by Mascot Pictures, directed by Nick Grinde and starring Norman Foster, Evalyn Knapp and Esther Ralston. Plot Don Phelan, the ace newsreel reporter, falls in lo ...

'' (1935) - Bob Starke * ''

Born to Gamble ''Born to Gamble'' (1935) is an American film directed by Phil Rosen and released by Republic Pictures. Plot Four brothers feel cursed by their family's gambling bug. All four try to overcome the addiction: only one, the youngest, is successful ...

'' (1935) - Earl Mathews * ''

'' (1935) - Richard Miller * ''

The Voice of Bugle Ann ''The Voice of Bugle Ann'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Lionel Barrymore and Maureen O'Sullivan. It was based on a novel of the same name by MacKinlay Kantor. Plot synopsis The countrymen in the hil ...

'' (1936) - Benjy Davis * '' Robin Hood of El Dorado'' (1936) - Johnnie 'Jack' Warren * ''In His Steps'' (1936) - Tom Carver * ''

'' (1936) - David 'Dave' Jolly * ''

Career Woman A career woman is a term which describes a woman whose main goal in life is to create a career for herself. At the time that the term was first used in the 1930s American context, it was specifically used to differentiate between women who either ...

'' (1936) - Everett Clark * '' A Family Affair'' (1937) - Wayne Trent III * ''

Girl Loves Boy ''Girl Loves Boy'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by W. Duncan Mansfield and written by W. Duncan Mansfield and Carroll Graham. The film stars Eric Linden, Cecilia Parker, Roger Imhof, Dorothy Peterson, Pedro de Cordoba and Bernadene Ha ...

'' (1937) - Robert Conrad * ''

'' (1937) - Clemmie Hawley * '' Sweetheart of the Navy'' (1937) - Eddie Harris * ''

Here's Flash Casey ''Here's Flash Casey'' is a 1937 American film directed by Lynn Shores and starring Eric Linden and Boots Mallory. Plot Flash Casey is able finally to get the job as photographer at Globe Press. And he would like to marry newspaper woman Kay Lann ...

'' (1938) - Flash Casey * ''

Midnight Intruder ''Midnight Intruder'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin starring Louis Hayward, Eric Linden, J.C. Nugent and Barbara Read. Plot After losing all his money gambling on horses, former newspaper reporter Barry Gilbert and "Doc ...

'' (1938) - John Clark Reitter Jr., posing as Jay Rogers * ''

Romance of the Limberlost ''Romance of the Limberlost'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by William Nigh and starring Jean Parker, Eric Linden, and Marjorie Main. Plot Laurie is reprimanded by her Aunt Nora and Chris being beaten by his adopted father Corson. Wh ...

'' (1938) - Wayne * ''

Everything's on Ice ''Everything's on Ice'' is a 1939 American musical film produced by Sol Lesser for RKO Pictures, directed by Erle C. Kenton and stars six year old Irene Dare, Edgar Kennedy and Lynne Roberts. The film was released on October 6, 1939 and is also kn ...

'' (1939) - Leopold Eddington * ''

'' (1939) - Amputation Case * ''

'' (1941) - Cpl. Greg Carroll (final film role)

References

External links

* * *
Eric Linden
at Virtual History
Eric Linden and Loretta Young in scenes from ''Life Begins'' (1932) from YouTube
{{DEFAULTSORT:Linden, Eric 1909 births 1994 deaths American male film actors American people of Swedish descent Columbia University alumni 20th-century American male actors DeWitt Clinton High School alumni