Alan Dinehart

Mason Alan Dinehart Sr. (born Harold Alan Dinehart; October 3, 1889 – July 18, 1944) was an American actor, director, writer, and stage manager.

For his second son and former actor, see Mason Alan Dinehart.

Alan Dinehart
Alan Dinehart in Big Town Girl (1937)
Born
Harold Alan Dinehart

(1889-10-03)October 3, 1889
St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedJuly 18, 1944(1944-07-18) (aged 54)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
Other namesAllan Dinehart
Mason Alan Dinehart
OccupationActor
Years active1931–1944
Spouse(s)
Louise Dyer Dinehart
​
​
(m. 1912; div. 1932)​

​
(m. 1933)​
Children3, including Mason Alan Dinehart

Biography
Dinehart in The First Hundred Years (1938)

Dinehart initially studied to be a priest, but he turned to the theater instead. His first acting experience came at Missoula University in Montana. He was active in Vaudeville before moving into other areas of entertainment.[1]

He left school to appear on stage with a repertory company and had no screen experience when he signed a contract with Fox in May 1931. He became a character actor and supporting player in at least eighty-eight films between 1931 and 1944. Earlier, he appeared in more than twenty Broadway plays.

Dinehart co-wrote and starred in the Broadway play Separate Rooms, which opened on March 23, 1940 at the Maxine Elliott Theatre and ran for 613 performances.[2]

Dinehart's likeness was drawn in caricature by Alex Gard for Sardi's, the New York City theater district restaurant. The picture is now part of the collection of the New York Public Library.[3]

Dinehart's second son, Mason Alan Dinehart, was cast in several 1950s television series, including the role of a young Bat Masterson in the ABC/Desilu Studios western, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, starring Hugh O'Brian in the title role.

Personal life

In 1936, Dinehart had his name legally changed to Mason Alan Dinehart. He had been baptized Harold Alan Dinehart, but his wife explained that the change would permit their son to be legally named Alan Dinehart III.[4]

Death

Dinehart suffered heart failure and died on 17 July 1944. Some reports stated the cause as a heart attack and the day of death as July 18 at age 54.[5]

Selected filmography

References
  1. "Alan Dinehart, Successful in "The Mirage," Has Not Given Up His Vaudeville Connections". New-York Tribune. New York, New York City. November 14, 1920. p. 40. Retrieved May 26, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  2. Sheward, David (1994). It's a Hit!. Watson-Guptill Publications. p. 54. ISBN 0823076369.
  3. The New York Public Library Inventory of Sardi's Caricatures
  4. "Gets Legal Name". Jefferson City Post-Tribune. Missouri, Jefferson City. August 3, 1936. p. 3. Retrieved May 27, 2017 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=Fr8DH2VBP9sC&dat=19440721&printsec=frontpage&hl=en The Gazette, Montreal, July 21, 1944, p.3
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