Tom D'Andrea
Biography
Tom D'Andrea was an American actor who worked in publicity and scriptwriting before turning to films and television. He relocated to Hollywood in 1934 and later wrote scripts for performers such as Ben Bernie and Eddie Cantor. Drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1941, he wrote for a Gracie Fields program, read lines at rehearsal, and began performing comedy, later serving with the Overseas Radio Unit. A Warner Bros. executive noticed him at Ciro's, leading to a role with Ronald Reagan in This Is the Army, and the studio signed him in 1946. His screen work included Dark Passage with Humphrey Bogart, Silver River with Errol Flynn, and other films, and he became known for film noir roles. On television he played Gillis, Riley's neighbor, in The Life of Riley, and he appeared in The Dick Van Dyke Show and Green Acres. He finished his film career with A House Is Not a Home.
88years old at death
- Born Chicago
- Died Port Charlotte
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
Movie Career
- Films
- 7
- Career span
- 3 years1946 to 1949
First and latest
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A change of course
In 1941, D'Andrea was drafted into the Army Air Corps. After being stationed at Camp Roberts, California, he was given the job of writing a Gracie Fields program.
Big break
While reading lines at a rehearsal, Gracie Fields decided to have D'Andrea read the lines in the show, which led to him performing comedy in addition to writing.
A change of course
After a publicity job at Chicago's Sherman House Hotel, D'Andrea met entertainers there who opened the door to Hollywood. He moved in 1934 and worked as a publicist for Betty Grable, Gene Autry, Mae Clarke and Jackie Coogan.
Big break
At Ciro's Restaurant on Sunset Strip, D'Andrea caught the eye of a Warner Bros. executive. That led to a part in This is the Army, alongside Ronald Reagan.
Tom D'Andrea movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Raoul Walsh directed two of these films. Six actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Monte Blue's page
Bruce Bennett's page
Dorothy Malone's page
Paul Cavanagh's page
Arthur Space's page
Douglas Kennedy's page
All films by Raoul Walsh
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.