Biography adolph menjou actors

Also active on radio and TV, his last notable film was the classic anti-war picture Paths of Glory playing the villainous Gen. Adolphe's extreme hardcore right-wing Republican politics hurt his later reputation, as he was made a scapegoat for his cooperation as a "friendly witness" at the House Un-American Activities Commission hearing during the Joseph McCarthy Red Scare era.

Following his last picture, Disney's Pollyanna , in which he played an uncharacteristically rumpled curmudgeon who is charmed by Hayley Mills , he retired from acting. He died after a nine-month battle with hepatitis on October 29, , inside his Beverly Hills home. Three times proved the charm for Adolphe with his marriage to actress Verree Teasdale , who survived him.

The couple had an adopted son named Peter. His autobiography, "It Took Nine Tailors" , pretty much says it all for this polished, preening professional. Spouses Verree Teasdale August 25, - October 29, his death, 1 child. Kathryn Carver May 16, - August 24, divorced. Katherine Conn Tinsley - October 20, divorced. Henri Menjou Sibling.

Waxy black mustache and impeccable taste in clothes. Sartorial elegance and regal bearing wearing a tuxedo. Voted Best Dressed Man in America nine times over the years. Menjou was an avid and skilled golfer. Clark Gable was among his favorite partners on the links. The words "suave" and "debonair" became synonymous with the name Adolphe Menjou in Hollywood, both on- and off-camera.

The epitome of knavish, continental charm and sartorial opulence, Menjou, complete with trademark waxy black mustache, evolved into one of Hollywood's most distinguished of artists and fashion plates, a tailor-made scene-stealer, if you will. With hooded, slightly owlish eyes, a prominent nose and prematurely receding hairline, he was hardly competition for Rudolph Valentino , but he did possess the requisite demeanor to confidently pull off a roguish and magnetic man-about-town.

Fluent in six languages, Menjou was nearly unrecognizable without some type of formal wear, and he went on to earn distinction as the nation's "best dressed man" nine times. Born on February 18, , in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he was christened Adolphe Jean Menjou, the elder son of a hotel manager. He disapproved of show business and sent an already piqued Adolphe to Culver Military Academy in Indiana in the hopes of dissuading him from such a seemingly reckless and disreputable career.

Instead of acquiescing to his father's demands and obtaining a engineering degree, however, he abruptly changed his major to liberal arts and began auditioning for college plays. He left Cornell in his third year in order to help his father manage a restaurant for a time during a family financial crisis. From there he left for New York and a life in the theater.

Adolphe toiled as a laborer, a haberdasher and even a waiter in one of his father's restaurants during his salad days, which included some vaudeville work. World War I interrupted his early career, and he served as a captain with the Ambulance Corps in France. After the war he found employment off-camera as a productions manager and unit manager.

When the New York-based film industry moved west, so did Adolphe. Nothing of major significance happened for the fledgling actor until , an absolute banner year for him. After six years of struggle he finally broke into the top ranks with substantial roles in The Faith Healer and Through the Back Door , the latter starring Mary Pickford. He formed some very strong connections as a result and earned a Paramount contract in the process.

His younger brother Henri Menjou , a minor actor, had a part in Adolphe's picture Blonde or Brunette The stock market crash led to the termination of Adolphe's Paramount contract, and his status as leading man ended with it. MGM took him on at half his Paramount salary and his fluency in such languages as French and Spanish kept him employed at the beginning.

Rivaling Gary Cooper for the attentions of Marlene Dietrich in Morocco started the ball rolling for Menjou as a dressy second lead. Rarely placed in leads following this period, he managed his one and only Oscar nomination for "Best Actor" with his performance as editor Walter Burns in The Front Page Not initially cast in the role, he replaced Louis Wolheim , who died ten days into rehearsal.

The s were not as golden, however. In addition to entertaining the troops overseas and making assorted broadcasts in a host of different languages, he did manage to get the slick and slimy Billy Flynn lawyer role opposite Ginger Rogers ' felon in the "Chicago" adaptation Roxie Hart , and continued to earn occasional distinction in such post-WWII pictures as The Hucksters and State of the Union Menjou played Willard Brockton, a wealthy newspaper owner who becomes involved with a struggling actress.

Menjou played Walter Burns, a cunning newspaper editor trying to keep his star reporter from quitting on the eve of a major story. Menjou starred as Capt. Remy Bandoin, a French officer stationed in Indochina who faces a crisis of loyalty. Menjou played Louis Easton, a Broadway producer who helps an aspiring actress find her way to stardom. Menjou starred as Sorrowful Jones, a bookie who becomes the reluctant guardian of a young girl left as a gambling marker.

Menjou starred as Gabby Sloan, a boxing promoter who discovers a meek milkman with hidden talents. Menjou played Anthony Powell, a Broadway producer entangled with aspiring actresses living in a boarding house. Menjou played Thomas Moran, a newspaper editor who tries to exploit a singer's past for a story. Menjou played Paul Monroe, a Broadway producer who discovers a talented singer from the countryside.

Menjou played a minor role in this comedy about two Americans who join the French Foreign Legion. Menjou played Ambassador William Fisk, a diplomat dealing with his daughter's romantic entanglements in Paris. Menjou played General Broulard, a high-ranking officer in this anti-war film directed by Stanley Kubrick. Menjou played Grampa Pennypacker, the family patriarch in this comedy about a man with two families.

Adolphe Menjou Hollywood's Gentleman Actor Adolphe Menjou was an American actor known for his sophisticated, debonair persona. Off-screen, he was a vocal conservative and anti-communist. Related Morocco - Paths of Glory - His approach to acting can be described through several key elements: Sophistication and Elegance: Menjou exuded a natural sophistication that was evident in his every gesture and expression.

Versatility Across Genres: Despite being known for his roles as sophisticated gentlemen, Menjou displayed remarkable versatility. Expressive Facial Nuances: In the silent film era, Menjou mastered the art of expressive facial acting. Controlled and Measured Delivery: Menjou's delivery was marked by its control and precision. Charismatic Screen Presence: Menjou possessed a magnetic screen presence that drew audiences in.

Cynical Charm and Wit: Often cast in roles that required a touch of cynicism or wit, Menjou excelled at portraying characters with a sharp, often sardonic edge. Physical Poise: Menjou's physicality was always poised and controlled. Open All Night. A Kiss in the Dark. Are Parents People? The King on Main Street. The Grand Duchess and the Waiter.

The Sorrows of Satan. Service for Ladies. A Gentleman of Paris. His Private Life. My Childish Father. Mysterious Mr. The Front Page. The Great Lover. Friends and Lovers. First film ever shown at a drive-in [ 23 ] [ 24 ] [ 25 ]. Bachelor's Affairs. Diamond Cut Diamond. A Farewell to Arms. The Circus Queen Murder. Morning Glory. The Worst Woman in Paris?

Easy to Love. Little Miss Marker. The Great Flirtation. Gold Diggers of The Milky Way. One in a Million. A Star Is Born. One Hundred Men and a Girl. Letter of Introduction. Thanks for Everything.

Biography adolph menjou actors

The Housekeeper's Daughter. That's Right—You're Wrong. A Bill of Divorcement. You Were Never Lovelier. Sweet Rosie O'Grady. The Bachelor's Daughters. District Attorney. State of the Union. Dancing in the Dark. Across the Wide Missouri. The Ambassador's Daughter. The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown. Screen Guild Players.