David Manners was a Canadian-American actor best known for his roles in Dracula, The Mummy, and Journey’s End. He was born on April 30, 1900, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and became a popular leading man in the 1920s and 1930s.
Personal and Family Life
Manners, whose birth name was Rauff de Ryther Duan Acklom, came from a well-off family. His father was a respected editor, and his mother had notable lineage. He briefly studied forestry at the University of Toronto before turning to acting, eventually making his mark on Broadway and later in films. Manners had a brief marriage to Suzanne Bushnell and a long-term relationship with playwright Bill Mercer.
Death and Legacy
David Manners passed away on December 23, 1998, in Santa Barbara, California, at the age of 98. He left behind a legacy as one of the early stars of horror films, remembered particularly for his roles in iconic movies like Dracula. Even in his later years, he expressed little interest in his early works but enjoyed writing and exploring spiritual topics.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Dracula | 1931-02-12 | John Harker |
| The Mummy | 1932-12-22 | Frank Whemple |
| Journey’s End | 1930-04-09 | James Raleigh |
| The Black Cat | 1934-05-07 | Peter Alison |
| He Knew Women | 1930-04-21 | Austin Lowe |
| The Death Kiss | 1932-12-05 | Franklyn Drew |
| A Bill of Divorcement | 1932-09-28 | Kit Humphreys |
| The Perfect Clue | 1935-03-13 | David Mannering |
| The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender | 1997-11-01 | Self (archive footage) |