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Jonathan Hale(1891-1966)

  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Jonathan Hale
Love and adventure in this trailer for the classic western
Play trailer2:08
Silver River (1948)
1 Video
25 Photos
Canadian-born character actor Jonathan Hale had a long and distinguished film career, appearing in over 260 pictures and television programs.

He was a member of the diplomatic service prior to his film career, and his stately bearing stood him in good stead for the large variety of corporate executives, military officers and high-level politicians he often played.

His best known and most memorable role was that of Dagwood Bumstead's boss, J.C. Dithers, in the "Blondie" film series, a role he assayed from the first entry (Blondie (1938)) until he left the series in 1946 having appeared in 16 of the 28 "Blondie" films.

In 1966, despondent over health and personal problems, he shot himself to death.
BornMarch 21, 1891
DiedFebruary 28, 1966(74)
BornMarch 21, 1891
DiedFebruary 28, 1966(74)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

Photos25

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Known for

George Sanders, Byron Foulger, and Helene Reynolds in The Saint's Double Trouble (1940)
The Saint's Double Trouble
6.0
  • Inspector Henry Fernack
  • 1940
Brian Donlevy and Anna Lee in Hangmen Also Die! (1943)
Hangmen Also Die!
7.4
  • Dedic
  • 1943
Farley Granger, Ruth Roman, and Robert Walker in Strangers on a Train (1951)
Strangers on a Train
7.9
  • Mr. Antony
  • 1951
George Sanders, Wendy Barrie, and Jonathan Hale in The Saint Takes Over (1940)
The Saint Takes Over
6.6
  • Inspector Henry Fernack
  • 1940

Credits

IMDbPro

Actor



  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963)
    Kraft Suspense Theatre
    7.7
    TV Series
    • Medical Examiner (as John Hale)
    • 1965
  • Ben Gazzara and Chuck Connors in Arrest and Trial (1963)
    Arrest and Trial
    7.7
    TV Series
    • Medical Examiner (as John Hale)
    • 1963
  • Full Speed for Anywhere
    TV Movie
    • 1960
  • Alan Hale Jr., Bruce Bennett, and Neville Brand in The Three Outlaws (1956)
    The Three Outlaws
    5.7
    • Pinkerton
    • 1956
  • Crossroads (1955)
    Crossroads
    7.3
    TV Series
    • Dr. Stetson
    • Judge
    • Governor
    • 1955–1956
  • Eve Arden in Our Miss Brooks (1952)
    Our Miss Brooks
    8.0
    TV Series
    • Leland Cheney
    • 1956
  • Sabu in Jaguar (1956)
    Jaguar
    5.4
    • Dr. Powell
    • 1956
  • Keith Larsen in Brave Eagle (1955)
    Brave Eagle
    7.8
    TV Series
    • 1956
  • Walt Disney in The Magical World of Disney (1954)
    The Magical World of Disney
    8.3
    TV Series
    • J.A. Turner
    • 1956
  • Screen Directors Playhouse (1955)
    Screen Directors Playhouse
    7.2
    TV Series
    • Mayor
    • 1955
  • Science Fiction Theatre (1955)
    Science Fiction Theatre
    8.0
    TV Series
    • Dr. Morton Archer
    • Dr. Hugo Milton
    • 1955
  • Hal Baylor, Hans Conried, and Chuck Hicks in Schlitz Playhouse (1951)
    Schlitz Playhouse
    7.6
    TV Series
    • Dr. Kennedy
    • 1952–1955
  • The Night Holds Terror (1955)
    The Night Holds Terror
    6.3
    • Bob Henderson
    • 1955
  • Preston Foster in Cavalcade of America (1952)
    Cavalcade of America
    7.9
    TV Series
    • James Madison
    • Postmaster General Brown
    • 1953–1955
  • The Whistler (1954)
    The Whistler
    7.7
    TV Series
    • Phillip Ridgely
    • Mr. Cromwell
    • 1955

Videos1

Silver River
Trailer 2:08
Silver River

Personal details

  • Alternative names
    • Jonathan Hale Jr.
  • Height
    • 5′ 7½″ (1.71 m)
  • Born
    • March 21, 1891
    • Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • Died
    • February 28, 1966
    • Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA(suicide)
  • Spouses
      Hester HydeJanuary 20, 1920 - 1937 (divorced, 3 children)
  • Publicity listings
    • 3 Articles

Did you know

  • Trivia
    According to the 1974 book "Holly-Would!", Hale had a hidden loudspeaker and amplifier installed in his car during the 1930s which he used to intimidate unsuspecting road hogs.

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