James Rennie was a Canadian-American actor who is best known for his roles in Now, Voyager, Illicit, and Skylark. He was born on April 18, 1889, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and passed away on July 31, 1965, in New York City, New York, USA.
Personal and Family Life
James Rennie was married to actress Dorothy Gish from December 26, 1920, until their divorce on October 11, 1935. He also married Sara Madeleine Eldon McConnell until his death in 1965. Rennie served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during World War I, joining alongside many other actors.
Career Highlights
Rennie was a prominent figure in silent films and theatre, becoming the first actor to portray Jay Gatsby on stage in the Broadway production of The Great Gatsby. His career flourished in the 1920s with performances in both Hollywood films and Broadway shows. However, after the introduction of sound in movies, he transitioned to smaller character roles and eventually retired from acting in the mid-1940s.
Death and Legacy
James Rennie died on July 31, 1965, in New York City, leaving a legacy as a talented actor of both stage and screen. His contributions to early cinema, especially in silent films, are remembered today. His portrayal of culturally significant characters like Jay Gatsby marks a significant moment in theatrical history.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Now, Voyager | 1942-10-22 | Frank McIntyre |
| Skylark | 1941-11-21 | Ned Franklyn |
| Party Husband | 1931-06-06 | Jay Hogarth |
| Illicit | 1931-02-14 | Richard ‘Dick’ Ives II |
| The Lash | 1930-12-14 | David Howard |
| Remodeling Her Husband | 1920-06-13 | Jack Valentine |
| The Bad Man | 1930-09-11 | Gilbert Jones |
| The Little Damozel | 1933-01-01 | Recky Poole |
| The Girl of the Golden West | 1930-10-12 | Dick Johnson |
| His Children’s Children | 1923-11-04 | Lloyd Maitland |
| Wilson | 1944-08-01 | Jim Beeker |
| Camille | 1926-01-01 | Philippe |
| A Bell for Adano | 1945-06-21 | Lt. Col. Sartorius |
| Flying Pat | 1920-11-11 | Robert Van Nuys |
| Mighty Lak’ a Rose | 1923-02-12 | Jimmy Harrison |
| Argentine Love | 1924-12-22 | Philip Sears |
| Restless Wives | 1924-01-06 | James Benson |
| Tales of Manhattan | 1942-08-05 | H.R. ‘Hank’ Bronson (Robinson sequence) |
| The Divorce Racket | 1932-10-25 | Detective Malcom ‘Duke’ Ayres |
| An Intimate Dinner in Celebration of Warner Bros. Silver Jubilee | 1930-08-01 | Self |
| Clothes Make the Pirate | 1926-03-15 | Lieutenant Cavendish |