Morgan Conway was an American actor who is best known for his role as Dick Tracy in the 1940s films, along with notable performances in various other films during that time. He became known for his strong, tough-guy persona that resonated with audiences.
Personal and Family Life
Morgan Conway was born on March 16, 1903, in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated from Columbia University and was one of the founding members of the Screen Actors Guild. Throughout his career, he had an array of roles in film, ranging from villains to heroes.
Acting Career
Conway’s acting career began with small roles, but he eventually signed a long-term contract with RKO Studios, which marked a turning point for him. His portrayal of Dick Tracy became his most memorable role, though his time in Hollywood was relatively short-lived. After his contract ended, he chose to leave acting and pursue a career in real estate.
Death and Legacy
Morgan Conway passed away on November 16, 1981, in Livingston, New Jersey, from lung cancer. He left behind a legacy as an early film actor who brought comic-strip characters to life, most notably Dick Tracy. His contributions to the film industry and his involvement in the Screen Actors Guild paved the way for future generations of actors.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Brother Orchid | 1940-06-07 | Philadelphia Powell |
| Charlie Chan in Reno | 1939-06-16 | George Bentley |
| Badman’s Territory | 1946-05-04 | Captain William ‘Bill’ Hampton |
| Dick Tracy vs. Cueball | 1946-11-22 | Dick Tracy |
| A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen | 1942-05-07 | Ray Stafford |
| Blackwell’s Island | 1939-01-24 | Steve Cardigan |
| The Saint Takes Over | 1940-06-07 | Sam Reese |
| Dick Tracy | 1945-12-01 | Dick Tracy |
| Sinners in Paradise | 1938-05-19 | Harrison Brand |
| Private Detective | 1939-12-09 | Nat Flavin |
| Tornado | 1943-08-09 | Gary Linden |
| A Fugitive from Justice | 1940-06-15 | ‘Julie’ Alexander |
| Sued for Libel | 1939-10-27 | Albert Pomeroy |
| The Truth About Murder | 1946-04-01 | Lester Ashton |
| Happy Landing | 1934-09-01 | Frank Harland |
| Crime Ring | 1938-07-08 | Ray Taylor |
| Millionaires in Prison | 1940-07-12 | James Brent |
| The Spellbinder | 1939-07-28 | Mr. Carrington |
| Looking for Trouble | 1934-03-28 | Dan Sutter |
| Television Spy | 1939-10-20 | Carl Venner |
| The Nurse from Brooklyn | 1938-04-29 | Inspector Donohue |
| Secret Service of the Air | 1939-03-04 | Henchman Ed Powell |
| Florian | 1940-06-05 | Kingston |
| Wings of the Navy | 1939-02-11 | Tommy – Duty Officer |
| North of Shanghai | 1939-01-24 | Bob Laird |
| Bells of Capistrano | 1942-09-15 | Stag Johnson |
| Canyon City | 1943-11-24 | Craig Morgan |
| Vacation in Reno | 1946-12-10 | Joe |
| Off the Record | 1939-01-21 | Lou Baronette |
| Illegal Traffic | 1938-11-02 | State’s Attorney Ryan |
| Grand Jury Secrets | 1939-06-23 | Thomas Reedy |
| Dick Tracy Special: Tracy Zooms In | 2023-02-10 | Dick Tracy (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| Jack London | 1943-12-24 | Richard Harding Davis |