Sidney Toler
Biography
Sidney Toler was an American who made his living as an actor, playwright, and theater director. Born in Warrensburg, Missouri, in 1874, he grew up in Kansas and turned professional in 1892, touring for years before his Broadway debut in 1903 in The Office Boy. He worked on Broadway for David Belasco for 14 years, was known for comedy roles, and wrote more than 70 plays. He made his first film, Madame X, in 1929 and moved to Hollywood in 1931, playing supporting parts in movies such as Blonde Venus (1932), Speak Easily (1932), The Call of the Wild (1935), and Double Wedding (1937). In 1938 he took over as the detective Charlie Chan, a role he played in 22 films through 1946, among them Charlie Chan in Honolulu (1938), Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat (1944), and Dangerous Money (1946). He later bought the screen rights to the character and continued the series at Monogram Pictures.
72years old at death
- Born Warrensburg
- Died Beverly Hills
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
- Also credited as Hooper G. Toler Jr. and Sidney Sommers Toler
Movie Career
- Films
- 19
- Career span
- 15 years1931 to 1946
Genres
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A first
Toler was the second non-Asian actor to play detective Charlie Chan on screen, and he portrayed Chan in 22 films between 1938 and 1946.
Big break
Thirty-four actors were tested before Twentieth Century-Fox chose Toler to replace Warner Oland as Charlie Chan, announcing the pick on October 16, 1938.
First role
Toler quit the University of Kansas and turned professional actor in 1892. In Kansas City he played the heavy in a melodrama called The Master Man.
Behind the camera
Toler wrote more than 70 plays, among them The Belle of Richmond, The Dancing Master and The House on the Sands. His war play The Man They Left Behind was staged by 67 companies within three months, and by 18 in one week.
Sidney Toler movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Charlie Chan in Honolulu1938 Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Thrilleras Charlie Chan
IMDb rating 6.72.0K votes
Most often with
Norman Foster directed three of these films, Harry Lachman two and H. Bruce Humberstone two. Victor Sen Yung appears in six 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
Victor Sen Yung's page
Robert Barrat's page
Jimmy Aubrey's page
Ricardo Cortez's page
Kane Richmond's page
John Carradine's page
All films by Norman Foster
Harry LachmanDirector, 2 films, 1936 to 1940
All films by Harry Lachman
H. Bruce HumberstoneDirector, 2 films, 1933 to 1938
All films by H. Bruce Humberstone
Also two films together13 more actors
- George ChandlerIt's in the Bag! (1945) and Is My Face Red? (1932)
- Douglass DumbrilleCharlie Chan at Treasure Island (1939) and King of the Jungle (1933)
- Clarence MuseMurder Over New York (1940) and Is My Face Red? (1932)
- Trevor BardetteMurder Over New York (1940) and Charlie Chan at Treasure Island (1939)
- Donald MacBrideMurder Over New York (1940) and Charlie Chan at Treasure Island (1939)
- Cecil CunninghamBlonde Venus (1932) and Is My Face Red? (1932)
- I. Stanford JolleyCharlie Chan in The Chinese Cat (1944) and Isle of Forgotten Sins (1943)
- Robert LoweryMurder Over New York (1940) and Charlie Chan in Reno (1939)
- Russell HaydenHeritage of the Desert (1939) and Law of the Pampas (1939)
- Eddie CollinsCharlie Chan in Reno (1939) and Charlie Chan in Honolulu (1938)
- Pauline MooreCharlie Chan at Treasure Island (1939) and Charlie Chan in Reno (1939)
- Phyllis BrooksCharlie Chan in Reno (1939) and Charlie Chan in Honolulu (1938)
- Rick VallinDangerous Money (1946) and Isle of Forgotten Sins (1943)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.