Luis Van Rooten was an American actor, best known for his roles in “The Joe Palooka Story,” “Champion,” and “Detective Story.” He was also a talented artist and author.
Personal and Family Life
Luis Van Rooten was born on November 29, 1906, in Mexico City, Mexico, but he was raised in the United States. He had two marriages: the first was to Catherine Gaylord Kelly from 1930 to 1947, with whom he had two children. His second marriage was to Alice Elizabeth Vassiliev, also known as Jill Anderson, in 1948 until his death in 1973.
Career
Van Rooten began his career as an architect before switching to acting during World War II. He gained fame for his versatility in playing various roles, including villains and shady characters. He became well-known on Broadway before moving to television, where he starred in several popular shows during the 1950s.
Death and Legacy
Luis Van Rooten passed away on June 17, 1973, in Chatham, Massachusetts, at the age of 66. He left behind a legacy as a performer who could master multiple dialects and a body of work that spanned stage, film, and television. His contributions to acting and literature, including his humorous books, remain appreciated.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Detective Story | 1951-11-01 | Joe Feinson |
| Cinderella | 1950-02-22 | King / Grand Duke (voice) |
| Night Has a Thousand Eyes | 1948-08-20 | Mr. Myers |
| City Across the River | 1949-04-07 | Joe Cusack |
| To the Ends of the Earth | 1948-02-07 | Commissioner Alberto Berado |
| The Big Clock | 1948-03-18 | Edwin Orlin |
| My Favorite Spy | 1951-12-25 | Rudolf Hoenig |
| Curse of the Faceless Man | 1958-08-14 | Dr. Carlo Fiorillo |
| Two Years Before the Mast | 1946-11-22 | 2nd Mate Foster |
| The Hitler Gang | 1944-04-26 | Heinrich Himmler |
| Fräulein | 1958-06-08 | Fritz Graubach |
| Lydia Bailey | 1952-05-30 | General Charles LeClerc |
| The Unholy Wife | 1957-06-24 | Ezra Benton |
| To the Victor | 1948-10-26 | Geran |
| Fury River | 1961-09-14 | Mr. Duren |
| Champion | 1949-04-09 | Harris |
| Beyond Glory | 1948-08-03 | Dr. Joseph White (as Louis Van Rooten) |
| Boston Blackie’s Chinese Venture | 1949-03-02 | Bill Craddock (as Louis Van Rooten) |
| The Gentleman from Nowhere | 1948-09-09 | F.B. Barton |
| The Sea Chase | 1955-06-04 | Matz |
| The Secret Of St. Ives | 1949-06-30 | Clausel |
| Saigon | 1947-12-05 | Simon |