David Manners
Biography
David Joseph Manners, born Rauff de Ryther Duan Acklom, was a Canadian-American actor known for his work in film. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on April 30, 1900, though one source cites his birth date as April 29, 1900. Manners is well known for playing John Harker in Tod Browning's 1931 horror film Dracula, which starred Bela Lugosi in the title role. The following year, he portrayed the archaeologist Frank Whemple in the Universal Pictures pre-Code thriller The Mummy. His known acting credits include forty-two works. He abandoned his film career in 1936 and left his theatrical career seventeen years later. Manners passed away on December 23, 1998, at the age of ninety-eight.
Career overview
David Joseph Manners was a Canadian-American actor born as Rauff de Ryther Duan Acklom. Throughout his career, he accumulated a known credit count of forty-two acting roles in movies and television shows. He is perhaps best known for his work in early-1930s cinematic thrillers and horror films produced by Universal Pictures.
Among his most notable roles, Manners portrayed John Harker in Tod Browning's 1931 horror classic Dracula, a film that starred Bela Lugosi in the title role. The following year, in 1932, Manners took on the role of the archaeologist Frank Whemple in another pre-Code thriller by Universal Pictures, titled The Mummy. His filmography also included appearances in other motion pictures such as Sweet Mama and Miracle Woman.
Manners ultimately chose to step away from his work on the screen, abandoning his film career in 1936. Following his departure from motion pictures, he continued his theatrical career for another seventeen years before finally leaving the stage as well. He passed away on December 23, 1998, at the age of ninety-eight.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
43 titles- The Many Faces of Dracula (2000) as John Harker (archive footage)
- The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- Dracula: A Cinematic Scrapbook (1991) as John Harker (archive footage)
- Dracula (1963) as John (archive footage)
- Lucky Fugitives (1936) as Jack Wycoff / Cy King
- A Woman Rebels (1936) as Lieutenant Alan Craig Freeland
- Hearts in Bondage (1936) as Raymond Jordan
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1935) as Edwin Drood
- Jalna (1935) as Eden Whiteoaks
- The Perfect Clue (1935) as David Mannering
- The Black Cat (1934) as Peter Alison
- The Great Flirtation (1934) as Larry Kenyon
- The Luck of a Sailor (1934) as Captain Colin
- The Moonstone (1934) as Franklin Blake
- The Devil's in Love (1933) as Captain Jean Fabien
- The Girl in 419 (1933) as Dr. Martin Nichols
- Torch Singer (1933) as Michael 'Mike' Gardner
- Roman Scandals (1933) as Josephus
- From Hell to Heaven (1933) as Wesley Burt
- The Warrior's Husband (1933) as Theseus
- The Mummy (1932) as Frank Whemple
- Man Wanted (1932) as Thomas 'Tom' / 'Tommy' Sherman
- Lady with a Past (1932) as Donnie Wainwright
- Crooner (1932) as Ted 'Teddy' Taylor
- A Bill of Divorcement (1932) as Kit Humphreys
- The Greeks Had a Word for Them (1932) as Dey Emery
- The Death Kiss (1932) as Franklyn Drew
- Beauty and the Boss (1932) as Baron Paul von Ullrich
- They Call It Sin (1932) as James E. 'Jimmy' Decker
- Dracula (1931) as John Harker
- The Millionaire (1931) as Bill Merrick
- The Miracle Woman (1931) as John Carson
- The Last Flight (1931) as Shep Lambert
- Stranger in Town (1931) as Jerry Fleming
- The Ruling Voice (1931) as Dick Cheney
- Sweet Mama (1930) as Jimmy
- The Truth About Youth (1930) as Richard Dane 'The Imp'
- The Right to Love (1930) as Joe Copeland
- Kismet (1930) as Caliph Abdallah
- Journey's End (1930) as James Raleigh
- An Intimate Dinner in Celebration of Warner Bros. Silver Jubilee (1930) as Self
- He Knew Women (1930) as Austin Lowe
- Mothers Cry (1930) as Arthur 'Artie' Williams
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is David Manners best known for?
David Manners is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Dracula (1963), The Black Cat (1934), The Mummy (1932), A Bill of Divorcement (1932).
When and where was David Manners born?
David Manners was born on April 29, 1900 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. They passed away on December 23, 1998.
How many credits does David Manners have?
David Manners has accumulated over 43 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1930 to 2000.
What is David Manners's background in cinema and television?
David Joseph Manners, born Rauff de Ryther Duan Acklom, was a Canadian-American actor known for his work in film. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, on April 30, 1900, though one source cites his birth date as April 29, 1900. Manners is well known for playing John Harker in Tod Browning's 1931 horror film Dra...
David Manners by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Dracula (1931) as John Harker — aged about 31
- The Mummy (1932) as Frank Whemple — aged about 32
- The Black Cat (1934) as Peter Alison — aged about 34
- A Bill of Divorcement (1932) as Kit Humphreys — aged about 32
- Dracula (1963) as John (archive footage) — aged about 63
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