Phillips Holmes

Phillips Holmes was an American actor who is best known for An American Tragedy, The Devil’s Holiday, and The Secret of Madame Blanche. He was active in the film industry during the early to mid-1930s, showcasing his talent through various roles until his untimely death in 1942.

Personal and Family Life

Phillips Holmes was born on July 22, 1907, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Taylor Holmes and Edna Phillips. His family had a strong background in acting, with his father being a well-known vaudeville and stage actor. He was educated at several schools and graduated from Newman Prep School in New Jersey before pursuing his studies in Europe, where he attended Cambridge University and Grenoble University. Phillips had two siblings, Ralph and Madeline, who were also involved in the arts.

Career

Phillips Holmes began his acting career at Princeton University’s Triangle Club and made his film debut in Varsity (1928). He gained recognition through his performance in An American Tragedy (1931), which set him on the path to stardom. Over the years, he starred in several films with a mix of comedy and drama, including The Devil’s Holiday (1930) and Broken Lullaby (1932). However, despite his promising start, his career suffered setbacks, and he eventually returned to stage performances.

Death and Legacy

Phillips Holmes died tragically on August 12, 1942, in a midair collision while serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. He was only 35 years old at the time of his death, and his passing marked a significant loss to the entertainment industry. Despite a career that seemed to be fading, his roles in classic films remain appreciated, and he is remembered for his handsome looks and talent.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Penthouse 1933-09-08 Tom Siddall
The Criminal Code 1931-01-03 Robert Graham
The Wild Party 1929-04-06 Phil
General Spanky 1936-12-11 Marshall Valient
An American Tragedy 1931-08-22 Clyde Griffiths
The Secret of Madame Blanche 1933-02-03 Leonard St. John
Broken Lullaby 1932-01-19 Paul Renard
Confessions of a Co-Ed 1931-07-11 Dan Carter
Night Court 1932-06-04 Mike Thomas
Only the Brave 1930-03-07 Capt. Robert Darrington
Man to Man 1930-12-05 Michael Bolton
Men Must Fight 1933-02-17 Bob Seward
Stolen Heaven 1931-02-20 Joe Bartlett
Great Expectations 1934-10-22 Pip
Beauty for Sale 1933-09-01 Burt Barton
Grumpy 1930-08-01 Ernest Heron
Stage Mother 1933-09-29 Lord Reggie Aylesworth
Chatterbox 1936-01-17 Philip ‘Phil’ Greene Jr.
Pointed Heels 1929-12-20 Donald Ogden
The Devil’s Holiday 1930-05-09 David Stone
Storm at Daybreak 1933-06-14 Csaholyi
Two Kinds of Women 1932-01-16 Joseph Gresham Jr.
Dinner at Eight 1933-12-22 Ernest DeGraff
Looking Forward 1933-04-28 Michael Service
Nana 1934-02-01 Lieutenant George Muffat
Million Dollar Ransom 1934-09-01 Stan Casserly
The Big Brain 1933-08-04 Terry Van Sloan
Caravan 1934-12-30 Lieutenant Von Tokay
The Return of Sherlock Holmes 1929-10-26 Roger Longmore
The House of a Thousand Candles 1936-04-02 Tony Carleton
No Ransom 1934-10-07 Tom Wilson
The Dominant Sex 1937-01-26 Dick Shale
The Divine Spark 1935-06-01 Vincenzo Bellini
Housemaster 1938-01-31 Philip de Pourville
His Private Life 1928-11-17 Pierrot (uncredited)
Her Man 1930-09-21 Dan
Make Me a Star 1932-07-01 Phillips Holmes (uncredited)
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind 1988-10-01 Self (archive footage)
70,000 Witnesses 1932-09-09 Buck