Trivia

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.

Father: Edward C. Ellis; Mother: Ruth McCarthy.