- Born
- Died
- Birth nameEdward Mayne Ellis
- Character actor in films, often portraying strident types, he is best remembered cast as "The Thin Man" (actually, "Wynant") of the hit 1934 MGM film. He Ellis was active on Broadway as an actor, producer and playwright from 1905-32 (see "Other Works"). He died in Beverly Hills, CA at age 81 in 1952.
- IMDb mini biography by: Bill Takacs <kinephile@aol.com>
- SpouseJosephine Stevens(April 5, 1917 - ?) (divorced, 1 child)
- ParentsEdward C. EllisRuth McCarty Ellis
- Had a successful career on Broadway in the 1920's, usually playing crooks and assorted shady characters.
- It was this man, not William Powell, as is so widely assumed, who played the title role in MGM's 1934 screen adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's The Thin Man (1934) (Powell portrayed the character Nick Charles a private eye hired to investigate possible foul play in the disappearance of the wealthy industrialist played by Ellis.)
- On stage from the age of seven. Made his debut at Hooley's Theatre in Chicago.
- Survived by a daughter, Mrs. David Thom of Fairfield, Connecticut and a grandchild.
- Brother of Edith Ellis.
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