John Boles

Biography

John Boles, an American singer and actor, began in silent films and became a major star when talkies arrived. Born in Greenville, Texas, he studied at the University of Texas before moving to New York City to train in music. A Broadway leading man by the early 1920s, he replaced the star of Little Jesse James in 1923 and later appeared in shows such as Kitty's Kisses and One Touch of Venus. MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1924, and he returned in 1927 for The Love of Sunya (1927) with Gloria Swanson. Sound let him showcase his voice in The Desert Song, Rio Rita, and Song of the West. Under contract at Universal, he starred in The King of Jazz (1930). He played Victor Moritz in Frankenstein (1931), Edward Morgan in Curly Top (1935), and Barbara Stanwyck's co-star in Stella Dallas (1937).

73years old at death

Born October 28, 1895Greenville
Died February 27, 1969San Angelo
Star sign: ScorpioThe sign runs October 23 to November 21

Movie Career

Films: 8
Career span: 16 years1927 to 1943

Genres

Drama63%, 5 films
Romance50%, 4 films
Comedy25%, 2 films
Family25%, 2 films
Music25%, 2 films

First and latest

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Early training
While building a career as an actor and singer, Boles earned a living teaching French and singing at a New York high school. He also worked as business manager and interpreter for a student group's one-year tour of Europe, which led to study with tenor Jean de Reszke.
Big break
Boles was chosen to take over the leading man role in the 1923 Broadway musical Little Jesse James. He became an established Broadway star and caught the attention of Hollywood producers and actors.

John Boles movies on Netflix

Thousands Cheer1943IMDb rating 6.2as Bill Jones
Sinners in Paradise1938IMDb rating 5.7as Jim Taylor
Stella Dallas1937IMDb rating 7.4as Stephen Dallas
Curly Top1935IMDb rating 6.8as Edward Morgan
The Littlest Rebel1935IMDb rating 6.7as Captain Cary
Frankenstein1931IMDb rating 7.7as Victor Moritz
King of Jazz1930IMDb rating 6.7as Vocalist ('Song of the Dawn' / 'It Happened in Monterey')
The Love of Sunya1927IMDb rating 6.3as Paul Judson

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Frankenstein1931 Drama, Horror, Sci-Fias Victor Moritz
IMDb rating 7.789K votes
Stella Dallas1937 Drama, Romanceas Stephen Dallas
IMDb rating 7.47.1K votes
Curly Top1935as Edward Morgan
IMDb rating 6.82.3K votes
King of Jazz1930as Vocalist ('Song of the Dawn' / 'It Happened in Monterey')
IMDb rating 6.72.0K votes
The Littlest Rebel1935as Captain Cary
IMDb rating 6.71.8K votes
The Love of Sunya1927as Paul Judson
IMDb rating 6.3867 votes
Thousands Cheer1943as Bill Jones
IMDb rating 6.21.3K votes
Sinners in Paradise1938as Jim Taylor
IMDb rating 5.7618 votes

Worked with

John Boles shares two films with Shirley Temple, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Shirley Temple

Dwight Frye

Bess Flowers

Boris Karloff

Barbara Stanwyck

Mickey RooneyJames WhaleDirector, 2 films

Films together

Shirley Temple2 films together, 1935
Shirley Temple's page
- Curly Top1935IMDb rating 6.8Boles as Edward MorganTemple as Elizabeth Blair
- The Littlest Rebel1935IMDb rating 6.7Boles as Captain CaryTemple as Virgie Cary
Dwight Frye2 films together, 1931 to 1938
Dwight Frye's page
- Sinners in Paradise1938IMDb rating 5.7Boles as Jim TaylorFrye as Marshall
- Frankenstein1931IMDb rating 7.7Boles as Victor MoritzFrye as Fritz
Bess Flowers1 film together, 1935
Bess Flowers's page
- Curly Top1935IMDb rating 6.8Boles as Edward MorganFlowers as Guest at Charity Bazaar
Boris Karloff1 film together, 1931
Boris Karloff's page
- Frankenstein1931IMDb rating 7.7Boles as Victor MoritzKarloff as The Monster
Barbara Stanwyck1 film together, 1937
Barbara Stanwyck's page
- Stella Dallas1937IMDb rating 7.4Boles as Stephen DallasStanwyck as Stella Dallas
Mickey Rooney1 film together, 1943
Mickey Rooney's page
- Thousands Cheer1943IMDb rating 6.2Boles as Bill JonesRooney as Mickey Rooney
James WhaleDirector, 2 films, 1931 to 1938
All films by James Whale
- Sinners in Paradise1938IMDb rating 5.7Boles as Jim Taylor
- Frankenstein1931IMDb rating 7.7Boles as Victor Moritz

Awards

One award and honor.

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John Boles's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Other honors
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame		Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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