John Darrow

John Darrow (born Harry Simpson; 17 July 1907 – 24 February 1980) was an American actor of the late silent and early talking film eras. He is the uncle of actress Barbara Darrow.

John Darrow
John Darrow in The Lady Refuses (1931)
Born
Harry Simpson

(1907-07-17)July 17, 1907
Leonia, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedFebruary 24, 1980(1980-02-24) (aged 72)
Malibu, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1927–1935
PartnerCharles Walters (1936-1980)[1]

Biography

Born in Leonia, New Jersey in 1907,[2] Darrow began acting in theater with a stock company, right after graduating high school.[3] Shortly after, he would begin his film career with a featured role in the 1927 silent film, High School Hero.[4] After several films with featured roles, he was cast as the lead in 1931's The Lady Refuses, which co-stars Betty Compson and was directed by George Archainbaud.[5] He would spend the next five years in leading man or featured roles, before retiring from acting in 1935. He would appear in five films that year, although four of them were produced in 1934. His final screen appearance would be in a supporting role in Annapolis Farewell.[6]

Although he retired from acting, he did not leave the film industry and instead continued on to become a very successful agent.[2] From the 1930s to the early 1950s, he was in a relationship with (future) film director Charles Walters.[7]

Filmography

(Per AFI database)[6]

References
  1. Phillips, Brent (2014-10-31). Charles Walters: The Director Who Made Hollywood Dance. ISBN 9780813147222.
  2. "John Darrow". Movie-Bar.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  3. "John Darrow". Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  4. "High School Hero: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  5. Jewell, Richard B.; Harbin, Vernon (1982). The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House. p. 34. ISBN 0-517-546566.
  6. "John Darrow". American Film Institute. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  7. Phillips, Brent. Charles Walters: The Director Who Made Hollywood Dance.
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