Biography

John Wray was an American character actor from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was primarily active during the 1930s.

Wray's real name was "John Griffith Malloy". He had a notable theatrical career, and appeared regularly in Broadway. In the late 1920s, there was a transition from silent films to sound films. Many stage actors headed to Hollywood, in the hope that their acting experience may help them find steady work in the new medium. Wray was one of the actors in this wave of prospective film stars.

Wray made his film debut in "New York Nights" (1929), where he played racketeer Joe Prividi. Prividi was the film's main villain, and the role helped Wray find steady work as a heavy. Among his most notable roles was sadistic drill instructor Himmelstoss in "All Quiet On The Western Front" (1930), gangster Morton Bradstreet in "The Czar of Broadway", con-artist Frog in "The Miracle Man" (1932), the starving farmer in "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936), and prison warden Wheeler in "You Only Live Once" (1937).

Wray's career was seemingly in decline by the late 1930s, when he was at times reduced to the role of an uncredited extra. But he continued acting until 1940, with his last known role being a bit part in the screwball comedy "The Doctor Takes a Wife" (1940). Wray died in April 1940, at the age of 53.
- IMDb mini biography by: Dimos I

A lead and character player in such pre-Code films as All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), The Miracle Man (1932) and I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932), among others.

Was in two Oscar Best Picture winners All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and Gone with the Wind (1939), and three other nominees I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), and Boys Town (1938).

Character actor with stage experience from 1913, who during the early talkies specialised in tough characters, particularly gangster films. His most notable performance was as the corrupt political boss Mort Bradstreet in the 1930 film 'The Czar of Broadway'.

Not to be confused with the American silent film director and playwright John Griffith Wray who worked for Thomas Ince in the 1920s.

Child: Jack (c. 1915)