Ralph Morgan
Biography
Ralph Morgan was a stage and film character actor who worked in Hollywood. Born in Manhattan in 1883, he studied law at Columbia University and worked in that field for nearly two years before choosing acting. His first stage role came in The Bachelor in 1909, and he later appeared as John Marvin in the 1918 hit Lightnin'. He began silent films in 1915, appearing in several East Coast productions, and in the early talkie years he had leading parts in Strange Interlude and Rasputin and the Empress, both released in 1932. Morgan helped found the Screen Actors Guild and led it twice as president. In the 1942 serial Gang Busters he played a brilliant surgeon who became a master criminal. He also worked in radio and television, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was dedicated to him in 1960. The Screen Actors Guild later named an award in his honor.
72years old at death
- Born Manhattan
- Died Manhattan
- Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
Movie Career
- Films
- 15
- Career span
- 17 years1931 to 1948
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A change of course
In his younger days Morgan belonged to Equity, and he helped found the Screen Actors Guild. Later he held its presidency on two occasions.
A change of course
Morgan practiced law for almost two years before he gave it up to become a journeyman actor. He had already appeared in Columbia's annual Varsity Show.
Behind the award
The Screen Actors Guild named an award after Morgan, given yearly by the L.A. Local Honors and Tributes Committee. Its inscription cites devotion to actors, the courage to fight for what is right, and self sacrifice.
Ralph Morgan movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Stephen Roberts directed two of these films. William Powell appears in four of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
William Powell's page
Bess Flowers's page
Henry O'Neill's page
George Chandler's page
Robert Barrat's page
George Coulouris's page
Stephen RobertsDirector, 2 films, 1935 to 1936
All films by Stephen Roberts
Also two films together14 more actors
- Ginger RogersStar of Midnight (1935) and Honor Among Lovers (1931)
- Harry DavenportThe Life of Emile Zola (1937) and Wells Fargo (1937)
- Spencer ChartersThe Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936) and Star of Midnight (1935)
- Wade BotelerMannequin (1938) and The Kennel Murder Case (1933)
- Grant MitchellThe Life of Emile Zola (1937) and The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936)
- Frank ReicherNight Monster (1942) and Star of Midnight (1935)
- Claudette ColbertSleep, My Love (1948) and Honor Among Lovers (1931)
- Frank ConroyWells Fargo (1937) and The Kennel Murder Case (1933)
- Elisabeth RisdonWeird Woman (1944) and Mannequin (1938)
- Robert CummingsSleep, My Love (1948) and Wells Fargo (1937)
- Paul BradleyMr. District Attorney (1947) and Black Market Babies (1945)
- Gilbert EmeryThe Life of Emile Zola (1937) and Magnificent Obsession (1935)
- Granville BatesWells Fargo (1937) and Honor Among Lovers (1931)
- Erin O'Brien-MooreThe Life of Emile Zola (1937) and The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
Two awards and honors, one of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academy Awards | |||
| 1940 | Honorary Award | Honorary | |
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.