Douglass Dumbrille was a Canadian-American actor who is best known for his roles in “The Lives of a Bengal Lancer,” “Baby Face,” and “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.”
Personal and Family Life
Douglass Dumbrille was born on October 13, 1889, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He started his career as a bank clerk before turning to acting, eventually joining various stock companies in the United States. He was married twice, first to Jessie Lawson, with whom he had two sons, and later to Patricia Mowbray, who he married at the age of 70. This last marriage lasted until his death in 1974.
Career Highlights
Dumbrille made his Broadway debut in 1924 and became known for portraying villains in many films, starting in the early 1930s. He appeared in notable productions like “The Three Musketeers” (both on stage and in the film) and various comedies, such as “A Day at the Races.” His performances were marked by his recognizable features and powerful presence, which made him a sought-after actor for both dramatic and comedic roles throughout his career.
Death and Legacy
Douglass Dumbrille passed away on April 2, 1974, from a heart attack in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. He was buried at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood. His legacy lives on through his extensive filmography, where he is remembered as one of Hollywood’s memorable character actors.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Blondie of the Follies | 1932-09-01 | Murchenson |
| The Buccaneer | 1958-12-11 | Collector of the Port |
| Storm Over Bengal | 1938-11-14 | Ramin Khan |
| Son of Paleface | 1952-07-14 | Sheriff McIntyre |
| The Ten Commandments | 1956-10-05 | Jannes |
| Road to Zanzibar | 1941-04-11 | Slave trader |
| The Princess Comes Across | 1936-05-22 | Lorel |
| A Day at the Races | 1937-06-11 | Morgan |
| Mr. Deeds Goes to Town | 1936-04-09 | John Cedar |
| The Big Store | 1941-06-20 | Mr. Grover |
| Charlie Chan at Treasure Island | 1939-08-31 | Stewart Salsbury, alias Thomas Gregory |
| City in Darkness | 1939-11-15 | B. Petroff (as Douglas Dumbrille) |
| Baby Face | 1933-07-13 | Brody |
| World for Ransom | 1954-01-31 | Insp. McCollum |
| Road to Utopia | 1946-02-27 | Ace Larson |
| Castle in the Desert | 1942-02-02 | Paul Manderley |
| Riders of the Whistling Pines | 1949-03-16 | Henry Mitchell |
| Du Barry was a Lady | 1943-08-13 | Willie / Duc de Rigor |
| Lady Killer | 1933-12-09 | Spade Maddock |
| The Firefly | 1937-11-05 | Marquis de Melito |
| Crime and Punishment | 1935-11-22 | Grilov |
| Naughty Marietta | 1935-03-29 | Prince de Namours de la Bonfain, Marietta’s Uncle |
| The Lives of a Bengal Lancer | 1935-01-11 | Mohammed Khan |
| The Frozen Ghost | 1945-06-01 | Inspector Brant |