Charles Collins was an American actor who is best known for Dancing Pirate, Swing Hostess, and Confidence Girl. Born on January 7, 1904, in Frederick, Oklahoma, he pursued a career in entertainment spanning from Broadway to film.
Personal and Family Life
Charles Collins was born into a farming family and showed artistic interests from a young age, learning to play the saxophone and dance. He graduated from business school but quickly returned to performing in various musical productions. He met his future wife, dancer Dorothy Stone, while both were performing in the Broadway musical “Ripples” (1930), and they married shortly after.
Career
Charles struggled to achieve lasting fame in film, despite securing lead roles in Dancing Pirate (1936) and Swing Hostess (1944). He found success on stage, appearing in multiple Broadway productions with his wife and entertaining troops overseas during World War II. As offers dried up, he shifted his focus to working as a talent agent and represented several notable clients.
Death and Legacy
Charles Collins passed away on June 26, 1999, in Montecito, California, due to complications from pneumonia. He is remembered for his contributions to dance and theater, as well as his brief film career. His legacy includes the influence he had on both stage performances and the artists he represented later in life.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Confidence Girl | 1952-06-20 | Charlie (as Charlie Collins) |
| Swing Hostess | 1944-09-08 | Benny Jackson |
| Dancing Pirate | 1936-05-22 | Jonathan Pride |
| Paree, Paree | 1934-09-08 | Baxter |
| A Blueprint for Murder | 1953-07-24 | Pesticide Seller (Uncredited) |
| Master Ninja | 1984-03-08 | Charlie Pattersen |
| A Radio Hook-Up | 1938-01-28 | Groom |
| Syncopation | 1942-05-22 |