John Chester Brooks Morris (February 16, 1901 - September 11, 1970) was an American actor, perhaps most famous for his role in the Boston Blackie detective series of the 1940s. He was a dark, handsome, firm-jawed actor who appealed to both men and women with his confidence and good-natured humor.
He was born in New York City, the son of actor William Morris. He made his Broadway debut at 15 in Lionel Barrymore's The Copperhead. At 17, he billed h...
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John Chester Brooks Morris (February 16, 1901 - September 11, 1970) was an American actor, perhaps most famous for his role in the Boston Blackie detective series of the 1940s. He was a dark, handsome, firm-jawed actor who appealed to both men and women with his confidence and good-natured humor.
He was born in New York City, the son of actor William Morris. He made his Broadway debut at 15 in Lionel Barrymore's The Copperhead. At 17, he billed himself as "the youngest leading man in the country." His film career began in 1917 in An Amateur Orphan.
Throughout the 1930s, he effortlessly switched between tough guy and slick debonair love interest roles. Morris was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for Alibi (1929) directed by Roland West. He also starred in The Bat Whispers (1930) and Corsair (1931), both directed by West. The Bat Whispers was notable as one of the first films to use the "Magna Screen" 70mm process. Sound films were just taking hold at the time; however...
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