Jack La Rue
Acting
Jack La Rue (born Gaspere Biondolillo) was an American stage, screen, and television actor. La Rue went from high school to his first acting job, in Otis Skinner's road company production of Blood and Sand. He performed in Broadway plays from around 1923 to 1931. According to La Rue, while appearing in Mae West's play Diamond Lil, he was spotted by Howard Hawks, who offered him a part in the film Scarface, starring Paul Muni. He moved to Hollywood, where he appeared in numerous films. However, Scarface was not one of them. La Rue stated in a newspaper article that, after four days, Hawks had to replace him with George Raft because La Rue was taller than Muni and had a more powerful voice. Later, however, Raft turned down the role of the despicable villain in The Story of Temple Drake, fearing it would damage his screen image, so the part went to La Rue. Sometimes mistaken for Humphrey Bogart, he played thugs and gangsters for the most part. However, director Frank Borzage atypically cast him as a priest in the 1932 version of A Farewell to Arms simply because, according to newspaper columnist Hubbard Keavy, he was "tired of seeing conventional characters". La Rue stated he turned down a role in The Godfather and many parts in the television series The Untouchables because of the way they portrayed Italian-Americans. La Rue died of a heart attack at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 81. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California.
Known for
Acting135
movieComplicated Women
2003
Self (archive footage)
movieBogart: The Untold Story
1997
Self (archive footage)
movieWon Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
1976
Silent Film Villain
moviePaesano
1975
Bartender
tvLove, American Style
1969
Mr. Smith
movieThe Spy in the Green Hat
1967
Federico 'Feet' Stilletto
tvThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964
Federico 'Feet' Stilletto
movieRobin and the 7 Hoods
1964
Tomatoes
movieFor Those Who Think Young
1964
Cronin's Business Associate
movie40 Pounds of Trouble
1962
Nick the Greek (uncredited)
tvTombstone Territory
1957
Padre Miguel
tvPerry Mason
1957
Cafe Proprietor
tvMGM Parade
1955
self
tvThe Millionaire
1955
Cricket Rosselli
tvGeneral Electric Theater
1953
Nick Rocco / Ralphie Fargo
movieRide the Man Down
1952
Kennedy
movieFor Heaven's Sake
1950
Tony Clark
tvLights Out
1949
Narrator (voice)
movieNo Orchids for Miss Blandish
1948
Slim Grisson
movieRobin Hood of Monterey
1947
Don Ricardo Gonzales
movieBush Pilot
1947
Paul Girard
movieSanta Fe Uprising
1946
Bruce Jackson
movieIn Old Sacramento
1946
Laramie
movieMurder in the Music Hall
1946
Bruce Wilton
movieDakota
1945
Suade
movieCornered
1945
Diego, Hotel Valet
movieThe Spanish Main
1945
Lt. Escobar
movieSteppin' in Society
1945
Bow Tie
movieThe Last Ride
1944
Joe Genna
movieLeave It to the Irish
1944
Rockwell
movieThe Desert Song
1943
Lt. Bertin
movieSmart Guy
1943
Matt Taylor
moviePistol Packin' Mama
1943
Johnny Rossi
movieThe Girl from Monterrey
1943
Al Johnson
movieThe Law Rides Again
1943
Duke Dillon
movieAmerican Empire
1942
Pierre - Beauchard Henchman
movieThe Payoff
1942
John Angus
movieX Marks the Spot
1942
Marty Clark
movieHighways by Night
1942
Johnny Lieber, Gangster
moviePardon My Sarong
1942
Tabor (uncredited)
movieA Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen
1942
Tommy Gould
movieSwamp Woman
1941
Pierre Pertinax Pontineau Briand Broussicourt d'Olivier, aka Pete Oliver
movieHard Guy
1941
Vic Monroe
movieGentleman from Dixie
1941
Thad Terrill
movieRingside Maisie
1941
Ricky Du Prez
movieGangs Inc.
1941
Mickey Roman
movieFootsteps in the Dark
1941
Ace Vernon
movieEast of the River
1940
Frank 'Frisco' Scarfi
movieFugitive from a Prison Camp
1940
Red Nelson
movieThe Sea Hawk
1940
Lt. Ortega
movieForgotten Girls
1940
Eddie Nolan
movieCharlie Chan in Panama
1940
Emil Manolo
movieIn Old Caliente
1939
Manuel Delgardo / Sujarno
movieBig Town Czar
1939
Mike Luger
movieThe Gang's All Here
1939
Alberni
movieMurder in Soho
1939
Steve Marco
movieI Demand Payment
1938
Smiles Badolio
movieValley of the Giants
1938
Ed Morrell
movieUnder the Big Top
1938
Ricardo Le Grande
movieArson Racket Squad
1938
Bud Morgan
movieTrapped by G-Men
1937
Fred Drake
movieDangerous Holiday
1937
Gollenger
movieHer Husband Lies
1937
'Trigger'
movieYellow Cargo
1936
Al Perrelli
movieBorn to Fight
1936
Smoothy Morgan
movieA Tenderfoot Goes West
1936
James "Killer" Madden
movieIt Couldn't Have Happened (But It Did)
1936
Smiley Clark
movieDancing Pirate
1936
Lt. Chago (Baltazar's Aide)
movieThe Bridge of Sighs
1936
Packy Lacy
movieStrike Me Pink
1936
Mr. Thrust
movieRemember Last Night?
1935
Baptiste Bouclier
movieWaterfront Lady
1935
Tom Braden
movieHis Night Out
1935
Joe Ferranza
movieSpecial Agent
1935
Jake Andrews
movieLittle Big Shot
1935
Jack Doré
movieThe Headline Woman
1935
Phil Zarias
movieMen of the Hour
1935
Nick Thomas
movieTimes Square Lady
1935
Jack Kramer
movieCalling All Cars
1935
Jerry Kennedy
movieSecret of the Chateau
1934
Lucien Vonaire
No Ransom
1934
Larry Romero
movieTake the Stand
1934
George Gaylord
movieThe Fighting Rookie
1934
Patrolman Jim Trent
movieGood Dame
1934
Bluch Brown
movieThe Kennel Murder Case
1933
Eduardo Grassi
movieTo the Last Man
1933
Jim Daggs
movieGambling Ship
1933
Pete Manning
movieTerror Aboard
1933
Gregory Cordoff
movie42nd Street
1933
Mug with Murphy (uncredited)
movieThe Woman Accused
1933
Little Maxie
movieLawyer Man
1932
Spike Murphy (uncredited)
movie20,000 Years in Sing Sing
1932
Prisoner at Check-In (uncredited)
movieMan Against Woman
1932
Alberti
movieI Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
1932
Ackerman (uncredited)
movieThree on a Match
1932
Ace's Henchman (uncredited)
movieVirtue
1932
Toots O'Neil
movieThe All-American
1932
Joe Fiore
movieBlessed Event
1932
Louis De Marco
movieRadio Patrol
1932
Slick (uncredited)
movieNight World
1932
Henchman (uncredited)
movieThe Mouthpiece
1932
Joe Garland (Uncredited)
movieFollow the Leader
1930
Gangster (uncredited)
movieFine Manners
1926
New Year's Eve Celebrant
movieThe King On Main Street
1925
Member of King's Retinue (uncredited)
movieThe Lucky Devil
1925
Prizefight Attendant