John Dall
Biography
John Dall was an American actor born on May 26, 1920, in New York City, New York. His birth name was John Jenner Thompson, and he was the second son of civil engineer Charles Jenner Thompson and his wife Henry, née Worthington. Primarily a stage actor, Dall gained fame for his role as a young prodigy tutored by Bette Davis in The Corn Is Green, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He is also remembered for his film roles as an intellectual killer in Alfred Hitchcock's Rope, the lead in the noir film Gun Crazy, and appearances in Spartakus and Suspense. Dall passed away on January 15, 1971, in Hollywood, California, with sources indicating he died of a heart attack.
Career overview
John Dall was an American actor born John Jenner Thompson on May 26, 1920, in New York City, New York, to civil engineer Charles Jenner Thompson and his wife Henry. Primarily a stage actor, he built an acting career spanning film and television with a total of known credits numbering eighteen. He is best remembered for his film roles as the cool-minded intellectual killer in Alfred Hitchcock's film Rope and the trigger-happy lead in the 1950 noir Gun Crazy, and he also appeared in films such as Spartakus and Suspense.
He first came to fame as the young prodigy who comes alive under the tutelage of Bette Davis in The Corn Is Green, a performance for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Throughout his career, he established himself as a recognizable figure in cinema through these notable character portrayals.
Dall passed away on January 15, 1971, at the age of fifty in Hollywood, California. Available sources indicate that his death was the result of a heart attack.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
22 titles- Rope Unleashed (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- James Stewart: A Wonderful Life (1987) as Self (archive footage)
- Atlantis: The Lost Continent (1961) as Zaren
- Spartacus (1960) as Marcus Publius Glabrus
- Perry Mason (1957) as Julian Kirk
- Perry Mason (1957) as Edward Franklin
- Perry Mason (1957) as Colin Durant
- Perry Mason (1957) as Roan Daniel
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Lt. Reese
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Hugh Mitchell
- Gun Crazy (1950) as Bart Tare
- The Man Who Cheated Himself (1950) as Andy Cullen
- Suspense (1949) as Jim
- Suspense (1949)
- Lights Out (1949)
- Miracle in the Rain (1949)
- Studio One (1948)
- Rope (1948) as Brandon Shaw
- Another Part of the Forest (1948) as John Bagtry
- Something in the Wind (1947) as Donald Read
- The Corn Is Green (1945) as Morgan Evans
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Dall best known for?
John Dall is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Atlantis: The Lost Continent (1961), Spartacus (1960), Perry Mason (1957), Perry Mason (1957).
When and where was John Dall born?
John Dall was born on May 26, 1920 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on January 15, 1971.
How many credits does John Dall have?
John Dall has accumulated over 22 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1945 to 2001.
What is John Dall's background in cinema and television?
John Dall was an American actor born on May 26, 1920, in New York City, New York. His birth name was John Jenner Thompson, and he was the second son of civil engineer Charles Jenner Thompson and his wife Henry, née Worthington. Primarily a stage actor, Dall gained fame for his role as a young prodigy tutored by Bette D...
John Dall by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Rope (1948) as Brandon Shaw — aged about 28
- Perry Mason (1957) as Julian Kirk — aged about 37
- Perry Mason (1957) as Edward Franklin — aged about 37
- Perry Mason (1957) as Colin Durant — aged about 37
- Perry Mason (1957) as Roan Daniel — aged about 37
- Spartacus (1960) as Marcus Publius Glabrus — aged about 40
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