John Carroll (born Julian La Faye; July 17, 1906 – April 24, 1979) was an American actor.

Career

Carroll was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He performed in several small roles in films under his birth name until 1935, when he first used the name John Carroll in '' Hi, Gaucho!''. He appeared in several

Western films Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

in the 1930s, including the role of

Zorro Zorro (Spanish language, Spanish for 'fox') is a fictional character created in 1919 by American pulp magazine, pulp writer Johnston McCulley, appearing in works set in the Pueblo of Los Angeles in Alta California. He is typically portrayed a ...

in ''

Zorro Rides Again ''Zorro Rides Again'' (1937) is a 12-chapter Republic Pictures film serial. It was the eighth of the sixty-six Republic serials, the third with a Western theme (a third of Republic's serials were westerns) and the last produced in 1937. The s ...

'' in 1937. He was the male lead in the

Marx Brothers The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act that was successful in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in motion pictures from 1905 to 1949. Five of the Marx Brothers' thirteen feature films were selected by the American Film Institute (AFI) ...

' Western comedy '' Go West'' in 1940. Probably his best known role was as Woody Jason in the 1942 movie ''

Flying Tigers The First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Republic of China Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was formed to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China. Operating in 1941–1942, it was composed of pilots from the United States Ar ...

'' with

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Gol ...

. He was also notable as a Cajun soldier, aptly nicknamed Wolf, in the 1945 comedy ''

A Letter for Evie ''A Letter for Evie'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Jules Dassin. Plot New York city girl Evie O'Connor works as a secretary for the Trojan Shirt Co. in Brooklyn. She has her mind set on finding a tall, strong man to marry - one th ...

''. He interrupted his movie career during World War II and served as a U.S. Army Air Corps pilot in North Africa. He broke his back in a crash. He recovered and resumed his acting career. John Carroll in Fiesta trailer

John Carroll was a well-established actor and his wife Lucille was a casting director at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). In 1948, the fledgling movie actress

Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe (; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; 1 June 1926 4 August 1962) was an American actress. Famous for playing comedic " blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s, as wel ...

moved into their house. They helped support her emotionally and financially during her difficult transition period. Their support was essential in her success as an actress. Carroll worked steadily through the mid-1950s, but his career began to fade in the latter half of the decade. He did play a memorable role in the 1957

Budd Boetticher Oscar "Budd" Boetticher Jr. ( ; July 29, 1916 – November 29, 2001) was an American film director. He is best remembered for a series of low-budget Westerns he made in the late 1950s starring Randolph Scott. Early life Boetticher was born in ...

western ''

Decision at Sundown ''Decision at Sundown'' is a 1957 American Western film directed by Budd Boetticher and starring Randolph Scott. It is one of seven Boetticher/Scott western collaborations, including '' Seven Men from Now'', '' The Tall T'', '' Buchanan Rides Al ...

'' as Tate Kimbrough, the evil nemesis of

Randolph Scott George Randolph Scott (January 23, 1898 – March 2, 1987) was an American film actor whose career spanned the years from 1928 to 1962. As a leading man for all but the first three years of his cinematic career, Scott appeared in a variety of ...

's character. His last roles were in ''Ride in a Pink Car'' in 1974 and in

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his innovative work in film, radio and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential f ...

' ''

The Other Side of the Wind ''The Other Side of the Wind'' is a 2018 satirical drama film, directed, co-written, co-produced and co-edited by Orson Welles, and posthumously released in 2018 after forty-eight years in development. The film stars John Huston, Bob Random, Pe ...

'', released in 2018, that he joined in 1975.

Personal life

Carroll was married twice; first to

Steffi Duna Steffi Duna (born Erzsébet Berindey; 8 February 1910 – 22 April 1992) was a Hungarian-born film actress. Hungarian dancer Born in the Eastern name order in Budapest of Czech extraction and nicknamed Stefi (Stefánia) by her friends and fam ...

(the couple had a daughter, Julianna Benito), and then to Lucille Ryman (until his death). Carroll died of leukemia at the age of 72 in

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) * Hollywood, ...

California California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...

. He was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California.

Partial filmography

*''

Marianne Marianne () has been the national personification of the French Republic since the French Revolution, as a personification of liberty, equality, fraternity and reason, as well as a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty. Marianne is displayed i ...

'' (1929) - Doughboy (uncredited) *''

Devil-May-Care Devil May Care may refer to: Music * ''Devil May Care'', an album by Bob Dorough, 1956 ** "Devil May Care", the title song, covered by Jamie Cullum on ''Pointless Nostalgic'', 2002 * ''Devil May Care'' (album), by Teri Thornton, 1961 * ''Devil M ...

'' (1929) - Bonapartist (uncredited) *''

The Rogue Song ''The Rogue Song'' is a 1930 American pre-Code romantic and musical film that tells the story of a Russian bandit who falls in love with a princess, but takes his revenge on her when her brother rapes and kills his sister. The Metro-Goldwyn-Maye ...

'' (1930) - Bandit (uncredited) *''

Monte Carlo Monte Carlo (; ; french: Monte-Carlo , or colloquially ''Monte-Carl'' ; lij, Munte Carlu ; ) is officially an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco, specifically the ward of Monte Carlo/Spélugues, where the Monte Carlo Casino is ...

'' (1930) - Wedding Guest Officer (uncredited) *''

Doughboys Doughboy was a popular nickname for the American Infantry, infantryman World War I#Entry of the United States, during World War I. Though the origins of the term are not certain, the nickname was still in use as of the early 1940s. Examples inclu ...

'' (1930) - Doughboy in Elmer's Squad (uncredited) *''

New Moon In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. At this phase, the lunar disk is not visible to the naked eye, except when it is silhouetted against the Sun during a solar eclipse. ...

'' (1930) - Russian Soldier on Ship (uncredited) *'' Hi, Gaucho!'' (1935) - Lucio Bolario *'' Muss 'em Up'' (1936) - Gene Leland *''

Murder on a Bridle Path ''Murder on a Bridle Path'' is a 1936 mystery film directed by William Hamilton and Edward Killy, starring James Gleason and Helen Broderick. This film was the fourth production in the Hildegarde Withers series, and the only one in which Broder ...

'' (1936) - Latigo Wells *''

The Accusing Finger ''The Accusing Finger'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by James P. Hogan and written by Madeleine Ruthven, Brian Marlow, John Bright and Robert Tasker. The film stars Paul Kelly, Marsha Hunt, Kent Taylor, Robert Cummings, Harry Care ...

'' (1936) - Dominic (uncredited) *''

Death in the Air ''Death in the Air'' (aka ''Pilot X'' and ''The Mysterious Bombardier'') is a 1937 American film directed by Elmer Clifton and stars Lona Andre, John Carroll, Leon Ames and Henry Hall. The film is also known as ''Murder in the Air'' in the Unite ...

'' (1936) - Jerry Blackwood *''

We Who Are About to Die ''We Who Are About to Die'' is a 1937 film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Preston Foster, Ann Dvorak Ann Dvorak (born Anna McKim; August 2, 1911 – December 10, 1979) was an American stage and film actress. Asked how to pronounc ...

'' (1937) - Joe Donahue *''

'' (1937, Serial) - James Vega *''

Rose of the Rio Grande ''Rose of the Rio Grande'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by William Nigh and starring Movita Castaneda as Rosita de la Torre. Plot When killers come after her wealthy brother Don Jose, she narrowly escapes with Sebastian and hides ...

'' (1938) - El Gato *''

Swingtime in the Movies ''Swingtime in the Movies'' is a 1938 American short comedy–musical film directed and written by Crane Wilbur. In 1939, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film, Two-Reel at the 11th Academy Awards. ''Swingtime ...

'' (1938) - Rick Arden (short film) *''

I Am a Criminal ''I Am a Criminal'' is a 1938 American crime film directed by William Nigh and written by John W. Krafft. The film stars John Carroll (actor), John Carroll, Kay Linaker, Craig Reynolds (actor), Craig Reynolds, Martin Spellman, Lester Matthews and ...

'' (1938) - Brad McArthur *''

Only Angels Have Wings ''Only Angels Have Wings'' is a 1939 American Adventure film, adventure drama (film and television), drama film directed by Howard Hawks, starring Cary Grant and Jean Arthur, and is based on a story written by Hawks. Its plot follows the manager ...

'' (1939) - Gent Shelton *'' Wolf Call'' (1939) - Michael 'Mike' Vance *''

Congo Maisie ''Congo Maisie'' is a 1940 comedy-drama film directed by H. C. Potter and starring Ann Sothern for the second time in the ten film Maisie Maisie Ravier is a fictional character, the leading character of ten films (1939–1947) and the radio ...

'' (1940) - Dr. Michael Shane *''

Susan and God ''Susan and God'' is a 1940 American comedy-drama film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer directed by George Cukor and starring Joan Crawford and Fredric March. The screenplay was written by Anita Loos and was based upon a 1937 play by Rachel Crothe ...

'' (1940) - Clyde *''

Phantom Raiders ''Phantom Raiders'' is a 1940 film, the second in the series starring Walter Pidgeon as detective Nick Carter. The film was part of a movie trilogy based on original stories featuring the character from the long-running ''Nick Carter, Detective'' ...

'' (1940) - John Ramsell, Jr *''

Hired Wife ''Hired Wife'' is a 1940 American romantic comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Rosalind Russell, Brian Aherne and Virginia Bruce. Plot When Stephen Dexter (Brian Aherne), boss of Dexter Cement, competes with the giants in his ...

'' (1940) - Jose de Briganza *'' Go West'' (1940) - Terry Turner *'' Sunny'' (1941) - Larry Warren *'' This Woman is Mine'' (1941) - Ovide de Montigny *'' Lady Be Good'' (1941) - Buddy Crawford *'' Rio Rita'' (1942) - Ricardo Montera *'' Pierre of the Plains'' (1942) - Pierre *''

'' (1942) - Woody Jason *''

The Youngest Profession ''The Youngest Profession'' is a 1943 film directed by Edward Buzzell, and starring Virginia Weidler, Edward Arnold, John Carroll, Scotty Beckett, and Agnes Moorehead. Based on a short story series and book written by Lillian Day, it contains c ...

'' (1943) - Dr. Hercules *''

Hit Parade of 1943 ''Hit Parade of 1943'' also known as ''Change of Heart'' is a 1943 American musical film made by Republic Pictures.Hurtst p.243 It was directed by Albert S. Rogell and produced by Albert J. Cohen from a screenplay by Frank Gill Jr. and Frances ...

'' (1943) - Rick Farrell *'' Bedside Manner'' (1945) - Morgan Hale *''

'' (1946) - Edgar 'Wolf' Larson *'' Fiesta'' (1947) - Jose 'Pepe' Ortega *''

Wyoming Wyoming () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the south ...

'' (1947) - Glenn Forrester *''

The Fabulous Texan ''The Fabulous Texan'' is a 1947 American Western film directed by Edward Ludwig and written by Lawrence Hazard and Horace McCoy. The film stars Wild Bill Elliott, John Carroll, Catherine McLeod, Albert Dekker, Andy Devine and Patricia Knig ...

'' (1947) - John Wesley Baker *'' The Flame'' (1947) - George MacAllister *''

Old Los Angeles ''Old Los Angeles'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and written by Gerald Drayson Adams and Clements Ripley. The film stars Wild Bill Elliott, John Carroll, Catherine McLeod, Joseph Schildkraut, Andy Devine and Estelita ...

'' (1948) - Johnny Morrell *''

I, Jane Doe ''I, Jane Doe'' is a 1948 American drama war film directed by John H. Auer and written by Lawrence Kimble and Decla Dunning. The film stars Ruth Hussey, John Carroll, Vera Ralston, Gene Lockhart, John Howard and Benay Venuta. Plot When the po ...

'' (1948) - Stephen Curtis *'' Angel in Exile'' (1948) - Charlie Dakin *'' The Avengers'' (1950) - Don Careless / Francisco Suarez *''

Surrender Surrender may refer to: * Surrender (law), the early relinquishment of a tenancy * Surrender (military), the relinquishment of territory, combatants, facilities, or armaments to another power Film and television * ''Surrender'' (1927 film), an ...

'' (1950) - Gregg Delaney *''

Hit Parade of 1951 ''Hit Parade of 1951'' is a 1950 American musical film directed by John H. Auer and written by Lawrence Kimble, Elizabeth Reinhardt and Aubrey Wisberg. The film stars John Carroll, Marie McDonald, Estelita Rodriguez, Frank Fontaine, Grant Wi ...

'' (1950) - Joe Blake / Eddie Paul *'' Belle Le Grand'' (1951) - John Kilton *''

The Farmer Takes a Wife ''The Farmer Takes a Wife'' is a 1934 play by Frank B. Elser and Marc Connelly based on the 1929 novel '' Rome Haul'' by Walter D. Edmonds. It was well-received upon its opening night on Broadway on October 30, 1934, at the 46th Street Theatre ...

'' (1953) - Jotham Klore *'' Geraldine'' (1953) - Grant Sanborn *''

Reluctant Bride ''Reluctant Bride'' (released in the U.S. as ''Two Grooms for a Bride'') is a 1955 British comedy film. Plot summary Jeff Longstreet and Laura Weeks are paired together to take care of a group of wild children whose parents are lost on an Afric ...

'' (1955) - Jeff Longstreet *''

'' (1957) - Tate Kimbrough *''

Plunderers of Painted Flats ''Plunderers of Painted Flats'' is a 1959 American Western film shot in Naturama was directed by Albert C. Gannaway and written by John Greene and Phil Shuken. The film stars Corinne Calvet, John Carroll, Skip Homeier, George Macready, Edmun ...

'' (1959) - Clint Jones *''Ride in a Pink Car'' (1974) - Mr. Henry *''

'' (2018) - Lou Martin (final film role)

References

External links

* 1906 births 1979 deaths American male film actors Deaths from cancer in California Deaths from leukemia Male actors from New Orleans Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) 20th-century American male actors {{US-film-actor-1900s-stub