Rudy Vallee
Acting
Rudy Vallee started his career as a saxophone player and singer and later became a band leader. In the 1920s and early 30s he had a hit radio program, The Fleishmann's Yeast Hour (where he was hated by his cast and crew due to his explosive ego-driven personality). In the early 1930's he was ranked with the likes of Bing Crosby and the tragic Russ Columbo in the Hit Parade. A huge hit on radio in 1933 with his program, initially known as 'The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour,' Vallee was considered a slave driver by his staff. He was known to instigate fist fights with virtually anyone who got on his nerves. During the run of his show he slugged photographers, threw sheet music in the faces of pianists' heads and if provoked, would sock hecklers in the nose. While audiences loved him, he was hated by most of his staff. As a very popular star in night clubs and on records, as well as in movies, he helped other singers like Alice Faye - who was for a while his band singer - and Frances Langford to start their careers. In his early movies he often played the romantic lead, but he switched later to stuffy and comic parts. He also appeared on Broadway. The mid-60's Broadway hit "How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" was filmed in 1967 with him in his original Broadway role.
Known for
Acting78
movieChita Rivera: A Lot Of Livin' To Do
2015
Self (archive footage)
movieBetty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons
1995
Self (archive footage)
movieGoing Hollywood: The '30s
1984
(archive footage)
tvCHiPs
1977
Arthur Forbinger
movieWon Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
1976
Autograph Hound
tvEllery Queen
1975
Alvin Winer
movieBrother, Can You Spare a Dime?
1975
Self (archive footage)
movieSlashed Dreams
1975
Proprietor
tvNight Gallery
1970
Dr. Francis Deeking
movieThe Phynx
1970
Rudy Vallee
movieThe Night They Raided Minsky's
1968
Opening Narrator (voice)
movieLive a Little, Love a Little
1968
Louis Penlow
tvHere's Lucy
1968
Rudy Vallee
tvThe Name of the Game
1968
Myron Lesser
tvBatman
1966
Lord Marmaduke Ffogg
tvThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
Self - Co-Host
tvThe Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
1957
Rudy Vallee
movieJazz Ball
1956
Self (archive footage)
movieGentlemen Marry Brunettes
1955
Rudy Vallee
movieRicochet Romance
1954
Worthington Higgenmacher
movieThe Admiral Was a Lady
1950
Peter Pedigrew
movieThe Golden Twenties
1950
Self (archive footage)
movieFather Was a Fullback
1949
Mr. Jessup
movieThe Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend
1949
Charles Hingleman
movieMother Is a Freshman
1949
John Heaslip
movieUnfaithfully Yours
1948
August Henshler
movieMy Dear Secretary
1948
Charles Harris
movieSo This Is New York
1948
Herbert Daley
movieI Remember Mama
1948
Dr. Johnson
movieThe Sin of Harold Diddlebock
1947
Lynn Sargent
movieThe Fabulous Suzanne
1946
Hendrick Courtney Jr.
moviePeople Are Funny
1946
Ormsby Jamison
movieMan Alive
1945
Gordon Tolliver
movieIt's in the Bag!
1945
Rudy Vallee
movie11th. Naval District "United States Coast Guard Band"
1944
Himself - Bandleader
movieHappy Go Lucky
1943
Alfred Monroe
movieThe Palm Beach Story
1942
John D. Hackensacker III
Too Many Blondes
1941
Dick Kerrigan
movieTime Out for Rhythm
1941
Daniel 'Danny' Collins
movieRodeo Dough
1940
Rudy Vallee
movieSecond Fiddle
1939
Roger Maxwell
movieBreakdowns of 1938
1938
Rudy (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieGold Diggers in Paris
1938
Terry Moore
movieSweet Music
1935
Skip Houston
movieA Trip Thru a Hollywood Studio
1935
Himself (uncredited)
movieGeorge White's Scandals
1934
Jimmy Martin
movieInternational House
1933
Himself
movieKitty from Kansas City
1931
Singer with Handlebar Moustache
movieBetty Co-ed
1931
Himself
movieThe Vagabond Lover
1929
Rudy Bronson
Radio Rhythm
1929
Rudy Vallee
movieLydia
Barker
Sound1
Writing1
movieThe Unfaithful
1947
Lyricist