John Dall was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Rope, Gun Crazy, and Spartacus.
Personal and Family Life
Born John Dall Thompson on May 26, 1920, in New York City, he was the younger son of Charles Jenner Thompson and Henry (née Worthington) Thompson. Dall had one sibling, Worthington Jenner Thompson. He had a long-term partner named Clement Brace.
Career
Dall began his acting career on Broadway, making his debut in the comedy Dear Ruth in 1944, which was a success. He later performed in Red Gloves in 1948 and had a notable role in the revival of The Heiress. Dall received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Corn Is Green and became well-known for playing a prep school killer in Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope in 1948.
Death and Legacy
John Dall passed away on January 15, 1971, in Beverly Hills, California, due to a heart attack, as stated on his death certificate. Despite a promising start in his career, Dall’s filmography remained limited, but he is remembered for his impactful performances in classic films. His contributions to film noir and Broadway continue to influence actors today.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Spartacus | 1960-10-13 | Marcus Publius Glabrus |
| Rope | 1948-03-11 | Brandon Shaw |
| Atlantis: The Lost Continent | 1961-05-03 | Zaren |
| The Corn Is Green | 1945-03-29 | Morgan Evans |
| Something in the Wind | 1947-07-21 | Donald Read |
| The Man Who Cheated Himself | 1950-12-26 | Andy Cullen |
| Gun Crazy | 1950-01-20 | Bart Tare |
| Another Part of the Forest | 1948-05-18 | John Bagtry |
| James Stewart: A Wonderful Life | 1988-11-22 | Self (archive footage) |
| The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender | 1997-11-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Miracle in the Rain | 1949-02-14 | |
| Rope Unleashed | 2001-03-06 | Self (archive footage) |
| Studio One | 1948-11-07 | |
| General Electric Theater | 1953-02-01 | Lt. Reese |
| Suspense | 1949-01-06 | Jim |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Julian Kirk |
| Schlitz Playhouse of Stars | 1951-10-05 | Hugh Mitchell |
| Lights Out | 1949-07-19 | |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Edward Franklin |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Colin Durant |
| Perry Mason | 1957-09-21 | Roan Daniel |
| Suspense | 1949-01-06 |