Ray Collins
Biography
Ray Bidwell Collins was an American character actor. Born on December 10, 1889, he appeared in numerous stage roles, becoming one of the most successful actors in radio drama. Collins made his feature-film debut in Citizen Kane. He appeared in more than 75 films and had a notable role on the television series Perry Mason as the irascible Lieutenant Arthur Tragg. Collins was associated with Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre company. He was born in Sacramento, California, and died on July 11, 1965, at the age of 75. Collins' acting credits include work in stock and Broadway theatre, radio, films, and television.
Career overview
Ray Bidwell Collins was an American character actor who performed in various mediums including stock and Broadway theatre, radio, films, and television. He had a significant presence in the developing field of radio drama, with over 900 stage roles to his credit. Collins' association with Orson Welles led to his involvement with the Mercury Theatre company, which eventually took him to Hollywood.
In Hollywood, Collins made his feature-film debut in the 1941 film Citizen Kane. He went on to appear in more than 75 films throughout his career. One of his notable roles was in the television series Perry Mason, where he played the character of Lieutenant Arthur Tragg. Collins' extensive experience in acting spanned multiple genres and mediums, showcasing his versatility as a character actor.
Collins' career highlights demonstrate his ability to adapt to different formats and roles. His association with notable figures such as Orson Welles and his involvement in iconic films like Citizen Kane further solidify his position as a prominent character actor of his time.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
100 titles- Jamaica's Cool Runners: Pushcarts and the Art of Living (2014)
- Viva la clase media (1980)
- I'll Give My Life (1960) as John Bradford
- Touch of Evil (1958) as District Attorney Adair
- Perry Mason (1957) as Lieutenant Tragg
- Spoilers of the Forest (1957) as Eric Warren
- Invitation to a Gunfighter (1957) as Harris Clayton
- Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre (1956) as Evan Gracie
- On Trial (1956) as Corbett
- Never Say Goodbye (1956) as Dr. Bailey
- The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956) as Alfred Metcalfe
- The Go-Getter (1956) as J.P. Miller (sometimes called J.B. Miller)
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Herbert Brenner
- The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955) as Callicott
- The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955) as Judge Harper
- Texas Lady (1955) as Mica Ralston (rancher)
- The Desperate Hours (1955) as Sheriff Masters
- The Miracle on 34th Street (1955) as Judge Harper
- Climax! (1954) as Jerome Harris
- Father Knows Best (1954) as Dean Wilson
- The Halls of Ivy (1954)
- Athena (1954) as Mr. Tremaine
- Rose Marie (1954) as Insp. Appleby
- Column South (1953) as Storey
- Bad for Each Other (1953) as Dan Reasonover
- The Desert Song (1953) as Gen. Birabeau
- The Kid from Left Field (1953) as Fred F. Whacker
- Cavalcade of America (1952) as Daniel Webster
- Invitation (1952) as Warren Pritchard
- Young Man with Ideas (1952) as Edmund Jethrow
- Dreamboat (1952) as Timothy Stone
- Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation (1952) as Jonathan Parker
- Reunion in Reno (1951) as Judge Thomas Kneeland
- You're in the Navy Now (1951) as Rear Adm. L. C. Tennant
- Vengeance Valley (1951) as Arch Strobie
- I Want You (1951) as Judge Kenneth Turner
- The Racket (1951) as Mortimer Welsh
- Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm (1951) as Jonathan Parker
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Barton Keyes
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Max
- Summer Stock (1950) as Jasper G. Wingait
- Kill the Umpire (1950) as Jonah Evans
- The Reformer and the Redhead (1950) as Commodore Parker
- Francis (1950) as Colonel Hooker
- Paid in Full (1950) as Dr. Fredericks
- Hideout (1949) as Arthur Burdett, alias Philip J. Fogarty
- The Heiress (1949) as Jefferson Almond
- The Fountainhead (1949) as Roger Enright
- It Happens Every Spring (1949) as Alfred Greenleaf
- Free For All (1949) as A B Blair
- Red Stallion In The Rockies (1949) as Matthew 'Matt' Simpson
- The Price of Freedom (1949) as Thomas Vollmer
- Studio One (1948) as Gen. Sam Woolery
- Good Sam (1948) as Rev. Daniels
- The Man from Colorado (1948) as Big Ed Carter
- Command Decision (1948) as Maj. Desmond Lansing
- Homecoming (1948) as Lt. Col. Avery Silver
- For the Love of Mary (1948) as Harvey Elwood
- The Swordsman (1948) as MacCoppin
- The Red Stallion (1947) as Perry Barton
- A Double Life (1947) as Victor Donlan
- The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947) as Beemish
- Trail Street (1947) as Opening Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- The Senator Was Indiscreet (1947) as Fred Houlihan
- The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) as Mr. Milton
- Boys' Ranch (1946) as Davis Banton
- Night in Paradise (1946) as Leonides
- Three Wise Fools (1946) as Judge Watson
- Two Years Before the Mast (1946) as Gordon Stewart
- Miss Susie Slagle's (1946) as Dr. Elijah Howe
- Badman's Territory (1946) as Colonel Farewell / Narrator
- Crack-Up (1946) as Dr. Lowell
- The Return of Monte Cristo (1946) as Emil Blanchard
- Up Goes Maisie (1946) as Mr. Floyd Henderickson
- Leave Her to Heaven (1945) as Glen Robie
- Roughly Speaking (1945) as John Chase Randall
- The Hidden Eye (1945) as Phillip Treadway
- See Here, Private Hargrove (1944) as Brodie S. Griffith
- The Seventh Cross (1944) as Wallau
- The Hitler Gang (1944) as Cardinal von Faulhaber
- Barbary Coast Gent (1944) as Johnny Adair
- The Eve of St. Mark (1944) as Deckman West
- Can't Help Singing (1944) as Senator Frost
- Main Street Today (1944) as Otis Bird
- Madame Curie (1943) as Lecturer (voice) (uncredited)
- The Human Comedy (1943) as Mr. Macauley
- Slightly Dangerous (1943) as Snodgrass
- Whistling in Brooklyn (1943) as Grover Kendall
- Crime Doctor (1943) as Dr. John Carey
- Salute to the Marines (1943) as Col. John Mason
- The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) as Jack Amberson
- Commandos Strike at Dawn (1942) as Johan Bergesen
- The Big Street (1942) as Professor B
- Highways by Night (1942) as Ben Van Steel, Tommy's Uncle
- The Navy Comes Through (1942) as Capt. McCall
- Citizen Kane (1941) as Jim W. Gettys
- Valley Town: A Study of Machines and Men (1940) as Mayor (voice)
- The Trans-Atlantic Mystery (1932) as Waite
- One Way Out (1931) as Police Sergeant on Bicycle (uncredited)
- Words & Music (1931) as Mr. Lambert (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ray Collins best known for?
Ray Collins is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Ally McBeal (1997), Perry Mason (1957), The Paper Chase (1973), Never Say Goodbye (1956).
When and where was Ray Collins born?
Ray Collins was born on December 10, 1889 in Sacramento, California, USA. They passed away on July 11, 1965.
How many credits does Ray Collins have?
Ray Collins has accumulated over 100 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1931 to 2014.
What is Ray Collins's background in cinema and television?
Ray Bidwell Collins was an American character actor. Born on December 10, 1889, he appeared in numerous stage roles, becoming one of the most successful actors in radio drama. Collins made his feature-film debut in Citizen Kane. He appeared in more than 75 films and had a notable role on the television series Perry Mas...