John Ridgely
Biography
John Ridgely, born John Huntington Rea on September 6, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American film character actor. Known professionally and credited under the name John Ridgely, he was also known as John Hunt and amassed numerous film credits during his career. He appeared in the 1946 Humphrey Bogart film The Big Sleep as the blackmailing gangster Eddie Mars and played a suffering heart patient in the film noir Nora Prentiss in 1947. He appeared in a large number of Warner Bros. films throughout the 1930s and 1940s. After beginning to freelance after 1948, he continued playing general-purpose parts until leaving films in 1953. Following his film career, he worked in summer-theater productions and television until his death from a heart attack on January 18, 1968, at the age of 58.
Career overview
John Ridgely was born John Huntington Rea on September 6, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois, and became an American film character actor with over 175 film credits. During the 1930s and 1940s, he appeared in a large number of Warner Bros. films. Among his notable appearances was a role as the blackmailing gangster Eddie Mars in the 1946 Humphrey Bogart film The Big Sleep, as well as a memorable turn as a suffering heart patient in the film noir Nora Prentiss in 1947.
After 1948, Ridgely worked as a freelancer and continued to play general-purpose parts until he left films in 1953. Following his departure from the film industry, he worked in summer-theater productions and television. He passed away from a heart attack at the age of 58 on January 18, 1968.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
146 titles- The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) as Assistant Manager
- Room for One More (1952) as Harry Foreman
- Fort Osage (1952) as Henry Travers
- Off Limits (1952) as Lt. Cmdr. Parnell
- The Congregation (1952)
- A Place in the Sun (1951) as Coroner
- The Blue Veil (1951) as Doctor (Uncredited)
- Half Angel (1951) as Tim McCarey
- The Last Outpost (1951) as Sam McQuade
- When the Redskins Rode (1951) as Christopher Gist
- Al Jennings of Oklahoma (1951) as Railroad Detective Dan Hanes
- As You Were (1951) as Captain
- Thunder in God's Country (1951) as Bill Stafford
- Pal's Gallant Journey (1951) as Gary's father
- Edge of Doom (1950) as Detective #1
- Rookie Fireman (1950) as Harry Williams
- Backfire (1950) as Plainclothesman (uncredited)
- Saddle Tramp (1950) as Slim
- The Lost Volcano (1950) as Fred Barton
- South Sea Sinner (1950) as Don Williams
- The Petty Girl (1950) as Patrolman
- Beauty on Parade (1950) as Jeffrey Woodstock
- Pal, Canine Detective (1950) as Gary's Father
- Border Incident (1949) as Mr. Neley
- Tucson (1949) as Ben
- Task Force (1949) as Dixie Rankin
- Once More, My Darling (1949) as Burke
- Command Decision (1948) as James Carwood
- Sealed Verdict (1948) as Lance Nissen
- The Iron Curtain (1948)
- Luxury Liner (1948) as Chief Officer Carver
- Trouble Makers (1948) as 'Silky' Thomas
- Night Wind (1948) as Walters
- Possessed (1947) as Harker
- High Wall (1947) as Assistant District Attorney David Wallace (as John Ridgeley)
- Nora Prentiss (1947) as Walter Bailey
- Cry Wolf (1947) as Jackson Laidell
- That's My Man (1947) as Ramsey
- That Way with Women (1947) as Sam
- The Big Sleep (1946) as Eddie Mars
- My Reputation (1946) as Cary Abbott
- The Man I Love (1946) as Roy Otis
- Two Guys from Milwaukee (1946) as Mike Collins
- God Is My Co-Pilot (1945) as David 'Tex' Hill
- Danger Signal (1945) as Thomas Turner
- Pride of the Marines (1945) as Jim Merchant
- Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) as Officer Saunders
- Hollywood Canteen (1944) as Self
- The Doughgirls (1944) as Julian Cadman
- Air Force (1943) as Pilot
- Destination Tokyo (1943) as Reserve Officer Raymond
- Northern Pursuit (1943) as Jim Austen
- Proceed and Report (1943) as Murphy's pal
- Mountain Fighters (1943) as Lt. Evers
- Bullet Scars (1942) as Hank O'Connor
- Secret Enemies (1942) as John Trent
- The Big Shot (1942) as Tim
- Wings for the Eagle (1942) as Alec Johnson
- Highway West (1941) as Alex, Armored Car Guard
- Knockout (1941) as Pat Martin
- They Died with Their Boots On (1941) as 2nd Lt. Davis (uncredited)
- Strange Alibi (1941) as Tex Alexander (prisoner)
- The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941) as Radio Man
- Dangerously They Live (1941) as John, Nazi Henchman
- Navy Blues (1941) as 'Jersey'
- Steel Against the Sky (1941) as Joe (uncredited)
- Here Comes Happiness (1941) as Jim
- The Great Mr. Nobody (1941) as Eddie Williams
- Million Dollar Baby (1941) as Ollie Ward
- The Wagons Roll at Night (1941) as Arch
- At the Stroke of Twelve (1941) as Reporter
- Nine Lives Are Not Enough (1941) as Garage Mechanic (uncredited)
- Skinnay Ennis and His Orchestra (1941) as Assistant (uncredited)
- The Letter (1940) as Driver (uncredited)
- The Fighting 69th (1940) as Moran (uncredited)
- No Time for Comedy (1940) as Cashier (uncredited)
- Brother Orchid (1940) as Texas Pearson
- They Drive by Night (1940) as Hank Dawson (uncredited)
- Father Is A Prince (1940) as Salesman
- Lady with Red Hair (1940) as Actor Playing Paul (uncredited)
- 'Til We Meet Again (1940) as Junior Officer (uncredited)
- Saturday's Children (1940) as Mr. MacReady (voice) (uncredited)
- Money and the Woman (1940) as Doctor (uncredited)
- Flight Angels (1940) as Lt. Parsons
- Teddy the Rough Rider (1940) as Reporter
- Torrid Zone (1940) as Gardner
- Castle on the Hudson (1940) as Intake Guard (uncredited)
- Alice in Movieland (1940) as Bill (uncredited)
- Service with the Colors (1940) as Army Lieutenant (uncredited)
- Spills for Thrills (1940) as Movie Director (uncredited)
- March On, Marines (1940) as Hap
- River's End (1940) as Jeffers
- The Man Who Talked Too Much (1940) as Brooks
- Torchy Runs for Mayor (1939) as Photographer in Mayor's Office (uncredited)
- Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939) as Army Hospital Clerk (uncredited)
- On Dress Parade (1939) as Fort Lewis Firing Range Sergeant (uncredited)
- Invisible Stripes (1939) as Employment Clerk (uncredited)
- Each Dawn I Die (1939) as Reporter (uncredited)
- The Roaring Twenties (1939) as Cabbie at Grand Central (uncredited)
- Indianapolis Speedway (1939) as Ted Horn
- Dark Victory (1939) as Man Making Crack About Judith (uncredited)
- Everybody's Hobby (1939) as Ranger Mike Morgan
- Quiet, Please (1939) as Sears' Assistant (uncredited)
- A Child is Born (1939) as Intern Going to See Operation (uncredited)
- Torchy Blane... Playing with Dynamite (1939) as Reporter at Match
- The Return of Doctor X (1939) as Rodgers
- Angels Wash Their Faces (1939) as Reporter at Pillory (uncredited)
- Nancy Drew... Reporter (1939) as Beldenburg Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
- Women in the Wind (1939) as Salesman (uncredited)
- King of the Underworld (1939) as Jerry
- Kid Nightingale (1939) as Whitey
- Secret Service of the Air (1939) as Joe LeRoy
- Smashing the Money Ring (1939) as Policeman (uncredited)
- Naughty but Nice (1939) as Harry, Hudson's Assistant (uncredited)
- Wings of the Navy (1939) as Dan Morrison
- On Trial (1939) as Radio Announcer (uncredited)
- You Can't Get Away with Murder (1939) as Gas Station Proprietor
- They Made Me a Criminal (1939) as Charles 'Charlie' Magee (Reporter)
- Slapsie Maxie's (1939) as Reporter (uncredited)
- Private Detective (1939) as Donald Norton
- Torchy Blane in Chinatown (1939) as Officer (uncredited)
- Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (1939) as Reporter
- The Adventures of Jane Arden (1939) as Reporter
- The Cowboy Quarterback (1939) as Mr. Walters
- The Bill of Rights (1939) as Massachusetts Congressman
- He Couldn't Say No (1938) as Man-On-The-Street Reporter
- Hard to Get (1938) as Burke
- Going Places (1938) as Desk Clerk
- Cowboy from Brooklyn (1938) as Beacon Reporter
- Forbidden Valley (1938) as Duke Lafferty
- The Patient in Room 18 (1938) as Jim Warren
- Torchy Gets Her Man (1938) as Henchman Bugs
- Nancy Drew… Detective (1938) as Radio Station Technician (uncredited)
- Boy Meets Girl (1938) as Simmons - Friday's Film Cutter
- The Spy Ring (1938) as Spy Ring Member (uncredited)
- Torchy Blane in Panama (1938) as Sparks (as John Ridgeley)
- Garden of the Moon (1938) as Sound Control Engineer (uncredited)
- Racket Busters (1938) as Yellow Stripe Truck Driver (uncredited)
- My Bill (1938) as Mr. Martin, Florist
- White Banners (1938) as Charles Ellis
- Blondes at Work (1938) as Regan
- Western Trails (1938) as Ben McClure
- Little Miss Thoroughbred (1938) as Jim (aka Slug)
- The Man Without a Country (1937) as Ship's Officer (uncredited)
- Missing Witnesses (1937) as Train Ticket Clerk (uncredited)
- Streamline Express (1935) as Train Steward (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is John Ridgely best known for?
John Ridgely is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), Room for One More (1952), Fort Osage (1952), Off Limits (1952).
When and where was John Ridgely born?
John Ridgely was born on September 6, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. They passed away on January 18, 1968.
How many credits does John Ridgely have?
John Ridgely has accumulated over 146 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1935 to 1952.
What is John Ridgely's background in cinema and television?
John Ridgely, born John Huntington Rea on September 6, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois, was an American film character actor. Known professionally and credited under the name John Ridgely, he was also known as John Hunt and amassed numerous film credits during his career. He appeared in the 1946 Humphrey Bogart film The Big...
John Ridgely by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Big Sleep (1946) as Eddie Mars — aged about 36
- Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) as Officer Saunders — aged about 34
- A Place in the Sun (1951) as Coroner — aged about 41
- The Blue Veil (1951) as Doctor (Uncredited) — aged about 41
- Room for One More (1952) as Harry Foreman — aged about 42
- Fort Osage (1952) as Henry Travers — aged about 42
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