Anderson Lawler
From Wikipedia, the free encycloped Anderson Lawler (May 5, 1902 โ April 6, 1959) was an American film and stage actor and producer, who had a career lasting from the 1920s through the 1950s. He began on Broadway, before moving to featured and supporting roles in Hollywood over a ten-year career at the very beginning of the talking picture era. After the end of his acting career, Lawler would move to the production end of the film industry, as well as becoming a producer of legitimate theater in the late 1940s and 1950s. Life and career Lawler was born Sidney Lawler on May 5, 1902 in Russellville, Alabama to Earnest H. and Dona C. Lawler. Prior to 1927, Lawler would move to New York City, and change his professional name to Anderson. In 1927 he would have a featured role in the Broadway production Her First Affaire, which premiered at the Nora Bayes Theatre in August 1927. In 1929 he would move to Los Angeles, where he would begin his career in the film industry. His first role would be in 1929's River of Romance. While in Hollywood, he appeared in almost thirty films during this time, mostly in supporting roles, before moving behind the scenes in 1939. Aside from his professional career, he was also popular with many Hollywood luminaries, such as William Haines, George Cukor, Gary Cooper and Katharine Hepburn. Lawler was a homosexual, although he was frequently linked with women. In 1935 he accompanied Kay Francis on a trip to Europe, ostensibly sent by the studios to keep her out of trouble. At one point, Walter Winchell started a rumor that the two were engaged. He produced the 1946 film, Somewhere in the Night, which was directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and starred John Hodiak, Nancy Guild, and Lloyd Nolan. Lee Strasberg adapted the screenplay, and was an assistant director on the project. Shortly after this, both Lawler and Strasberg were transferred to the New York office of Twentieth Century-Fox. Lawler and Strasberg had a close friendship, Lawler becoming the Godfather of Strasberg's daughter, Susan Strasberg. In New York, Lawler worked in Fox's talent department, but he also began a second career as a producer of legitimate theater. At least one of those plays, Oh Men, Oh Women, would be turned into a film by Fox in 1957. On April 6, 1959, Lawler would die suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack.
Known For
Credits
- 1939 ยทTorchy Blane in Chinatownas Allan Fitzhugh
- 1938 ยทHeart of the Northas Constable Burgoon
- 1938 ยทMystery Houseas Joe Page
- 1938 ยทAccidents Will Happenas F.R. Dawson
- 1938 ยทOver the Wallas Convict
- 1938 ยทMaid's Night Outas Police Car 29 Driver (uncredited)
- 1938 ยทThe Daredevil Driversas Mr. Bounty
- 1938 ยทThe Invisible Menaceas Pvt. Abbott
- 1937 ยทThe Adventurous Blondeas Hugo Brand
- 1937 ยทAlcatraz Islandas 'Whitey' Edwards
- 1937 ยทConfessionas Reporter (uncredited)
- 1937 ยทMr. Dodd Takes the Airas First Production Manager (uncredited)
- 1937 ยทEver Since Eveas Monteray Tavern Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- 1937 ยทEmpty Holstersas Buck McGovern
- 1937 ยทFly Away Babyas Alexander L. Torey
- 1935 ยทPublic Hero Number 1as Higgins - Federal Agent (uncredited)
- 1934 ยทLet's Talk It Overas Peter
- 1934 ยทBelovedas Tom Rountree
- 1933 ยทLet's Fall in Loveas Allen Foster
- 1933 ยทAce of Acesas Tim 'Tombstone' Terry
- 1933 ยทMen Must Fightas Mr. Siebert
- 1933 ยทThe Cheyenne Kidas Tate
- 1932 ยทNight After Nightas Lonely Drunk (uncredited)
- 1932 ยทAmerican Madnessas Charlie (uncredited)
- 1932 ยทHollywood Speaksas Joe Hammond
- 1932 ยทSinners in the Sunas Gigolo
- 1931 ยทGirls About Townas Alex Howard
- 1931 ยทThe Road to Renoas Alec
- 1931 ยทBorn to Loveas Wounded Soldier in Hospital (uncredited)
- 1930 ยทOnly Saps Workas Horace Baldwin
- 1930 ยทA Lady to Loveas Doctor
- 1929 ยทHalf Marriageas Tom Stribbling
- 1929 ยทThe River of Romanceas Joe Patterson