Jack La Rue (born Gaspare Biondolillo; May 3, 1902 – January 11, 1984) was an American film and stage actor.

Early years

The son of Sicilian immigrants Pasquale and Concetta Biondolillo, La Rue was born in New York City. His father sailed to the port of New York as an emigrant steerage passenger on the steamer ''Olympia'', which sailed from the port of Naples in November 1895. According to the 1910 U.S. Census, Pasquale Biondolillo was employed as a piano varnisher.

Stage

La Rue went from high school to his first acting job in Otis Skinner's road company production of ''Blood and Sand''. He performed in Broadway plays from around 1923 to 1931. According to La Rue, while appearing in

Mae West Mae West (born Mary Jane West; August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American stage and film actress, playwright, screenwriter, singer, and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned over seven decades. She was known for her breezy ...

's play '' Diamond Lil'', he was spotted by

Howard Hawks Howard Winchester Hawks (May 30, 1896December 26, 1977) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the Classical Hollywood cinema, classic Hollywood era. Critic Leonard Maltin called him "the greatest American director who is ...

, who offered him a part in the film '' Scarface'' (1932), starring Paul Muni.

Film

He moved to

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywoo ...

, where he appeared in numerous films. However, ''Scarface'' was not one of them. La Rue stated in a newspaper article that, after four days, Hawks had to replace him with

George Raft George Raft (born George Ranft; September 26, 1901 – November 24, 1980) was an American film actor and dancer identified with portrayals of gangsters in crime melodramas of the 1930s and 1940s. A stylish leading man in dozens of movies, Raft is ...

because La Rue was taller than Muni and had a more powerful voice. Later, however, Raft turned down the role of the despicable villain in ''

The Story of Temple Drake ''The Story of Temple Drake'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Stephen Roberts and starring Miriam Hopkins and Jack La Rue. It tells the story of Temple Drake, a reckless woman in the American South who falls into the hands o ...

'' (1933), fearing it would damage his screen image, so the part went to La Rue. Sometimes mistaken for Humphrey Bogart, he played thugs and gangsters for the most part. However, director

Frank Borzage Frank Borzage (; April 23, 1894 – June 19, 1962) was an Academy Award-winning American film director and actor, known for directing '' 7th Heaven'' (1927), '' Street Angel'' (1928), '' Bad Girl'' (1931), ''A Farewell to Arms'' (1932), '' Man's ...

atypically cast him as a priest in the 1932 version of ''

A Farewell to Arms ''A Farewell to Arms'' is a novel by American writer Ernest Hemingway, set during the Italian campaign of World War I. First published in 1929, it is a first-person account of an American, Frederic Henry, serving as a lieutenant () in the am ...

'' simply because, according to newspaper columnist Hubbard Keavy, he was "tired of seeing conventional characters". La Rue stated he turned down a role in ''

The Godfather ''The Godfather'' is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo, based on Puzo's best-selling 1969 The Godfather (novel), novel of the same title. The film stars Marlon Brando, Al ...

'' (1972) and many parts in the television series '' The Untouchables'' because of the way they portrayed Italian-Americans.

Personal life

He was married three times. La Rue married Los Angeles socialite Constance Deighton Simpson on September 22, 1938, in London. She obtained a divorce on December 17, 1946, charging him with mental cruelty. In 1955, he obtained an

annulment Annulment is a legal procedure within secular and religious legal systems for declaring a marriage null and void. Unlike divorce, it is usually retroactive, meaning that an annulled marriage is considered to be invalid from the beginning almost ...

from former Baroness Violet Edith von Rosenberg after six years of marriage, claiming she had only married him to obtain American citizenship and that they separated after less than two months. He married Anne Giordano on August 12, 1962; she obtained an annulment in 1967. Jack La Rue had no children. La Rue died of a heart attack at

Saint John's Health Center Providence Saint John's Health Center, formerly St. Johns Hospital and Health Center, is a private not-for-profit, Roman Catholic hospital in Santa Monica, California, United States. The hospital was founded in 1942 by the Sisters of Charity o ...

in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 81. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery,

Culver City, California Culver City is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,779. Founded in 1917 as a "whites only" sundown town, it is now an ethnically diverse city with what was called the "third-most ...

Complete filmography

*'' The Lucky Devil'' (1925) as Prizefight Attendant (uncredited) *'' The King on Main Street'' (1925) as Member of King's Retinue in Paris Hotel Lobby (uncredited) *'' Fine Manners'' (1926) as New Year's Eve Celebrant (uncredited) *'' East Side, West Side'' (1927) as Dining Extra (uncredited) *''

The House of Terror ''The'' () is a grammatical Article (grammar), article in English language, English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speak ...

'' (1928) a 10-chapter serial, today considered lostWorkman, Christopher; Howarth, Troy (2016). "Tome of Terror: Horror Films of the Silent Era". Midnight Marquee Press. p. 324. . *'' Follow the Leader'' (1930) as A Gangster *'' Night World'' (1932) as Henchman (uncredited) *''

The Mouthpiece ''The Mouthpiece'' is a 1932 American pre-Code crime drama film starring Warren William and directed by James Flood and Elliott Nugent. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros.''The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1931-40'' ...

'' (1932) as Joe Garland (uncredited) *''

While Paris Sleeps ''While Paris Sleeps'', aka ''The Glory of Love'', is a 1923 American silent drama film based on the novel ''The Glory of Love'' by Leslie Beresford (a.k.a. "Pan"), directed by Maurice Tourneur, and starring Lon Chaney and John Gilbert. Whoeve ...

'' (1932) as Julot *'' Radio Patrol'' (1932) as Slick (uncredited) *'' Blessed Event'' (1932) as Louis De Marco (uncredited) *'' The All American'' (1932) as Joe Fiore *''

Virtue Virtue ( la, virtus) is morality, moral excellence. A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is Value (ethics), valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. In other words, it is a behavior that sh ...

'' (1932) as Toots *''

Three on a Match ''Three on a Match'' is a 1932 American pre-Code crime drama released by Warner Bros. The film was directed by Mervyn LeRoy and stars Joan Blondell, Warren William, Ann Dvorak and Bette Davis. The film also features Lyle Talbot, Humphrey ...

'' (1932) as Ace's Henchman (uncredited) *''

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang ''I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang'' is a 1932 American pre-Code crime-drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Paul Muni as a wrongfully convicted man on a chain gang who escapes to Chicago. It was released on November 10, 1932. The ...

'' (1932) as Ackerman (uncredited) *'' Man Against Woman'' (1932) as Alberti *''

'' (1932) as The Priest *''

Lawyer Man ''Lawyer Man'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by William Dieterle, based on the novel by Max Trell. The film stars William Powell and Joan Blondell. It was produced by Warner Bros. By the time of the release, several actors w ...

'' (1932) as Spike Murphy (uncredited) *'' The Woman Accused'' (1933) as Little Maxie *'' 42nd Street'' (1933) as Mug with Murphy (uncredited) *''

Christopher Strong ''Christopher Strong'' (also known as ''The Great Desire'' and ''The White Moth'') is a 1933 American pre-Code romantic drama film produced by RKO and directed by Dorothy Arzner. It is a tale of illicit love among the English aristocracy and s ...

'' (1933) as Carlo *'' Terror Aboard'' (1933) as Gregory Cordoff *''

'' (1933) as Trigger *''

The Girl in 419 ''The Girl in 419'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Alexander Hall and George Somnes and written by Allen Rivkin, Manuel Seff and P.J. Wolfson. The film stars James Dunn, Gloria Stuart, David Manners, William Harrigan, Sh ...

'' (1933) as Sammy *'' Gambling Ship'' (1933) as Pete Manning *''

Headline Shooter ''Headline Shooter'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama about the life of a newsreel photographer. Director Otto Brower intertwined the screenplay written by Agnes Christine Johnston, Allen Rivkin, and Arthur Kober Arthur Kober (August 2 ...

'' (1933) as Ricci *'' To the Last Man'' (1933) as Jim Daggs *'' The Kennel Murder Case'' (1933) as Eduardo Grassi *''

Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen ''Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen'' is a 1934 pre-Code American comedy-drama film, starring Dorothea Wieck, Alice Brady, and Baby LeRoy, written by Adela Rogers St. Johns and Jane Storm from a novel and story by Rupert Hughes, and directed by Alex ...

'' (1934) as Bert *'' Good Dame'' (1934) as Bluch Brown *''

The Fighting Rookie ''The Fighting Rookie'' is a 1934 American crime film directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and written by George Morgan. The film stars Jack La Rue, Ada Ince, DeWitt Jennings, Matthew Betz, Arthur Belasco and Tom Brower. The film was released on ...

'' (1934) as Patrolman Jim Trent *''

Straight Is the Way ''Straight Is the Way'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Paul Sloane, written by Bernard Schubert, and starring Franchot Tone, May Robson, Karen Morley, Gladys George, Nat Pendleton and Jack La Rue. It is based upon the stage play by Da ...

'' (1934) as Monk *''

Take the Stand ''Take the Stand'' is a 1934 American mystery film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Jack LaRue, Thelma Todd, and Gail Patrick. It was released on September 7, 1934. Cast * Jack LaRue as George Gaylord * Thelma Todd as Sally Oxford * Gail Patr ...

'' (1934) as George Gaylord *'' No Ransom'' (1934) as Larry Romero *''

Secret of the Chateau ''Secret of the Chateau'' is a 1934 American mystery film directed by Richard Thorpe. The film stars Claire Dodd, Alice White Alice White (born Alva White; August 25, 1904Katz, Ephraim (1979). ''The Film Encyclopedia: The Most Comprehensi ...

'' (1934) as Lucien Vonaire *'' Calling All Cars'' (1935) as Jerry Kennedy *'' Times Square Lady'' (1935) as Jack Kramer *'' Men of the Hour'' (1935) as Nick Thomas *'' The Headline Woman'' (1935) as Phil Zarias *''

Under the Pampas Moon ''Under the Pampas Moon'', also known as ''The Gaucho'', is a 1935 American Western film directed by James Tinling and starring Warner Baxter and Ketti Gallian. Baxter plays an Argentine gaucho. Rita Hayworth also had an early role in the film. ...

'' (1935) as Bazan *'' The Daring Young Man'' (1935) as Cubby *'' After the Dance'' (1935) as Mitch *'' Little Big Shot'' (1935) as Doré *'' Special Agent'' (1935) as Jake Andrews *'' His Night Out'' (1935) as Joe Ferranza *'' Waterfront Lady'' (1935) as Tom Braden *'' The Spanish Cape Mystery'' (1935) as Gardner *'' Hot Off the Press'' (1935) as Bill Jeffrey *''

Remember Last Night? ''Remember Last Night?'' is a 1935 American mystery comedy film directed by James Whale. The film, based on the novel ''The Hangover Murders'', is about the investigation of the murder of one of a group of friends. The survivors are unable to rec ...

'' (1935) as Baptiste *'' Strike Me Pink'' (1936) as Mr. Thrust *'' The Bridge of Sighs'' (1936) as Packy Lacy *''

In Paris, A.W.O.L. ''In Paris, A.W.O.L.'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Roland D. Reed and starring Lola Lane, Irene Ware and Lawrence Gray. Mank p.268 The film's sets were designed by the art director Edward C. Jewell. It was later reissued under the ...

'' (1936) as Soldier *'' Dancing Pirate'' (1936) as Lt. Chago (Baltazar's Aide) *'' It Couldn't Have Happened – But It Did'' (1936) as Smiley Clark *''

Born to Fight Born may refer to: * Childbirth * Born (surname), a surname (see also for a list of people with the name) * ''Born'' (comics), a comic book limited series Places * Born, Belgium, a village in the German-speaking Community of Belgium * Born, Luxe ...

'' (1936) as Smoothy Morgan *'' A Tenderfoot Goes West'' (1936) as James Killer Madden *''

Ellis Island Ellis Island is a federally owned island in New York Harbor, situated within the U.S. states of New York and New Jersey, that was the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the United States. From 1892 to 1954, nearly 12 m ...

'' (1936) as Dude *''

Yellow Cargo ''Yellow Cargo'' is a 1936 American Poverty Row crime film written and directed by Crane Wilbur for Grand National Pictures. The film was rereleased in 1947 as ''Sinful Cargo''. Starring Conrad Nagel as Alan O'Connor and producer George A. H ...

'' (1936) as Al Perrelli *'' Go West, Young Man'' (1936) as Rico in 'Drifting Lady' *'' Mind Your Own Business'' (1936) as Cruger *'' Her Husband Lies'' (1937) as 'Trigger, ' Gunman *'' That I May Live'' (1937) as Charlie *''

Captains Courageous ''Captains Courageous: A Story of the Grand Banks'' is an 1897 novel by Rudyard Kipling that follows the adventures of fifteen-year-old Harvey Cheyne Jr., the spoiled son of a railroad tycoon, after he is saved from drowning by a Portuguese f ...

'' (1937) as Priest *'' Dangerous Holiday'' (1937) as Gollenger *'' Trapped by G-Men'' (1937) as Fred Drake *'' Arson Gang Busters'' (1938) as Bud Morgan *'' Under the Big Top'' (1938) as Ricardo Le Grande *'' Valley of the Giants'' (1938) as Ed Morrell *'' I Demand Payment'' (1938) as Smiles Badolio *'' Murder in Soho'' (1939) as Steve Marco *'' The Gang's All Here'' (1939) as Alberni *'' Big Town Czar'' (1939) as Mike Luger *'' In Old Caliente'' (1939) as Sujarno *''

Charlie Chan in Panama ''Charlie Chan in Panama'' is a 1940 mystery film starring Sidney Toler. It is an unaccredited remake of Jacques Deval's novel "Marie Galante", produced by 20th Century Fox in 1934, directed by Henry King. Plot Charlie Chan must stop a spy from ...

'' (1940) as Manolo *'' Forgotten Girls'' (1940) as Eddie Nolan *''

Enemy Agent ''Enemy Agent'' is a 1940 American spy thriller film directed by Lew Landers and starring Richard Cromwell, Helen Vinson, and Robert Armstrong.McLaughlin p.325 The supporting cast includes Jack La Rue, Jack Carson, Philip Dorn and Milburn S ...

'' (1940) as Alex *'' The Sea Hawk'' (1940) as Lt. Ortega *''

Fugitive from a Prison Camp ''Fugitive from a Prison Camp'' is a 1940 American thriller film directed by Lewis D. Collins Lewis D. Collins (January 12, 1899 – August 24, 1954) was an American film director and occasional screenwriter. In his career spanning over 30 ye ...

'' (1940) as Red Nelson *'' East of the River'' (1940) as Frank 'Frisco' Scarfi *'' Footsteps in the Dark'' (1941) as Ace Vernon *'' Paper Bullets'' (1941) as Mickey Roman *''

Ringside Maisie ''Ringside Maisie'' is a 1941 film directed by Edwin L. Marin. It stars Ann Sothern, Robert Sterling and George Murphy George Lloyd Murphy (July 4, 1902 – May 3, 1992) was an American dancer, actor, and politician. Murphy was a song-and-da ...

'' (1941) as Ricky Du Prez * '' Gentleman from Dixie'' (1941) as Thad Terrill *''

Hard Guy ''Hard Guy'' is a 1941 American film directed by Elmer Clifton. The film is also known as ''Professional Bride'' in the United Kingdom. Plot Vic Monroe is the proprietor of the Tropical Inn nightclub. He also runs a special racket involving the ...

'' (1941) as Vic Monroe *'' Swamp Woman'' (1941) as Pete Oliver / Pierre Pertinax Pontineau Briand Broussicourt d'Olivier *'' A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen'' (1942) as Tommy Gould *'' Pardon My Sarong'' (1942) as Tabor (uncredited) *''

Highways by Night ''Highways by Night'' is a 1942 American crime drama film directed by Peter Godfrey from a screenplay by Lynn Root and Frank Fenton, based on the story ''Silver Spoon'', by Clarence Budington Kelland. The film stars Richard Carlson and Jane R ...

'' (1942) as Johnny Lieber, Gangster *''

X Marks the Spot X Marks the Spot may refer to: * ''X Marks the Spot'' (1931 film), a 1931 film directed by Erle C. Kenton * ''X Marks the Spot'' (1942 film), a 1942 film directed by George Sherman * ''X Marks the Spot'', a 1944 social guidance film, spoofed in ...

'' (1942) as Marty Clark *'' The Payoff'' (1942) as John Angus *'' American Empire'' (1942) as Pierre- Beauchard Henchman *'' You Can't Beat the Law'' (1943) as Cain *'' A Gentle Gangster'' (1943) as Hugo *''

Secret Service in Darkest Africa ''Secret Service in Darkest Africa'' is a 1943 Republic Pictures, Republic Serial film, serial. It was Republic's thirtieth serial, of the sixty-six produced by the studio. It was a sequel to ''G-Men vs. the Black Dragon'' released earlier in 1 ...

'' (1943 serial) as Hassan (Ch. 6) (uncredited) *'' The Law Rides Again'' (1943) as Duke Dillon *'' The Girl from Monterrey'' (1943) as Al Johnson *''

A Scream in the Dark ''A Scream in the Dark'' is an American comedy crime mystery directed by George Sherman and written by Anthony Coldeway and Gerald Schnitzer in 1943. The film stars Robert Lowery, Marie McDonald, Edward Brophy, Elizabeth Russell, Hobart Cavanau ...

'' (1943) as Det. Lt. Cross *'' Never a Dull Moment'' (1943) as Joey *'' Pistol Packin' Mama'' (1943) as Johnny Rossi *'' The Sultan's Daughter'' (1943) as Rata *''

The Desert Song ''The Desert Song'' is an operetta with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel. It was inspired by the 1925 uprising of the Riffs, a group of Moroccan fighters, against French co ...

'' (1943) as Lieutenant Bertin *''

Smart Guy ''Smart Guy'' is an American sitcom television series centering on the exploits of child prodigy T.J. Henderson ( Tahj Mowry), who moves from being an elementary school student in the fourth grade to a high school student in the tenth grade, att ...

'' (1943) as Matt Taylor *'' Follow the Leader'' (1944) as Larry *'' Machine Gun Mama'' (1944) as Jose *'' Leave It to the Irish'' (1944) as Rockwell *'' The Last Ride'' (1944) as Joe Genna *'' Dangerous Passage'' (1944) as Mike Zomano *'' Steppin' in Society'' (1945) as Bow Tie *'' The Spanish Main'' (1945) as Lt. Escobar *''

Dakota Dakota may refer to: * Dakota people, a sub-tribe of the Sioux ** Dakota language, their language Dakota may also refer to: Places United States * Dakota, Georgia, an unincorporated community * Dakota, Illinois, a town * Dakota, Minnesota ...

'' (1945) as Suade *''

Cornered Cornered may refer to: * ''Cornered'' (1924 film), a 1924 silent film * ''Cornered'' (1932 film), a 1932 Pre Code western film * ''Cornered'' (1945 film), a 1945 ''film noir'' starring Dick Powell * ''Cornered!'' (film), a 2010 horror film star ...

'' (1945) as Diego, Hotel Valet *'' Road to Utopia'' (1945) as LeBec *'' Murder in the Music Hall'' (1946) as Bruce Wilton *''

In Old Sacramento ''In Old Sacramento'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and written by Frances Hyland and Frank Gruber. The film stars Wild Bill Elliott, Constance Moore, Henry H. Daniels Jr., Ruth Donnelly, Eugene Pallette and Jack ...

'' (1946) as Laramie *''

Santa Fe Uprising ''Santa Fe Uprising'' is a 1946 American Western film in the Red Ryder film series directed by R. G. Springsteen, written by Earle Snell, and starring Allan Lane, Robert Blake, Martha Wentworth, Barton MacLane, Jack La Rue and Tom London. It wa ...

'' (1946) as Bruce Jackson *''

My Favorite Brunette ''My Favorite Brunette'' is a 1947 American romantic comedy film and film noir parody, directed by Elliott Nugent and starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Written by Edmund Beloin and Jack Rose, the film is about a baby photographer on death r ...

'' (1947) as Tony *''

Bush Pilot Bush flying refers to aircraft operations carried out in the bush. Bush flying involves operations in rough terrain where there are often no prepared landing strips or runways, frequently necessitating that bush planes be equipped with abnormally ...

'' (1947) as Paul Girard *'' Robin Hood of Monterey'' (1947) as Don Ricardo Gonzales *'' No Orchids for Miss Blandish'' (1948) as Slim Grisson *'' For Heaven's Sake'' (1950) as Tony Clark *'' Ride the Man Down'' (1952) as Kennedy *''

Slaughter on Tenth Avenue ''Slaughter on Tenth Avenue'' is a ballet with music by Richard Rodgers and choreography by George Balanchine. It occurs near the end of Rodgers and Hart's 1936 Broadway musical comedy '' On Your Toes''. ''Slaughter'' is the story of a hoofer ...

'' (1957) as Father Paul (uncredited) *'' 40 Pounds of Trouble'' (1962) as Nick the Greek (uncredited) *'' Robin and the 7 Hoods'' (1964) as Tomatoes *'' For Those Who Think Young'' (1964) as Cronin's Business Associate *''

The Spy in the Green Hat ''The Spy in the Green Hat'' is a 1967 feature-length film version of '' The Man from U.N.C.L.E.''s third season two-part episode " The Concrete Overcoat Affair". The episodes were originally broadcast in the United States on November 25, 1966 and ...

'' (1967) as Federico "Feet" Stilletto *''Paesano: A Voice in the Night'' (1975) as Bartender *''

Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood ''Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood'' is a 1976 American comedy film directed by Michael Winner, and starring Bruce Dern, Madeline Kahn, Teri Garr and Art Carney. Spoofing the craze surrounding Rin Tin Tin, the film is notable for the larg ...

'' (1976) as Silent Film Villain

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:La Rue, Jack 1902 births 1984 deaths Male actors from New York City American male film actors American male stage actors American people of Italian descent Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City 20th-century American male actors