Actor. An opera singer in his native Scotland, he switched to drama after coming to the U.S. and made his film debut in 1919. Torrence became a much sought-after character player after his role as the villain in "Tol'able David" (1921). He held his own against Lon Chaney in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923), played convincing hayseeds in "The Covered Wagon" (1923) and "Mantrap" (1926), and was an ideal 'Captain Hook' in "Peter Pan" (1924). Walt Disney used Torrence as the model for Hook in his own 1953 animated version of Peter Pan. Torrence survived the transition to talkies thanks to a resonant bass-baritone voice, despite a Scottish accent that limited his roles. His last film was "I Cover the Waterfront" (1933). He died in New York City, from a hospital infection following an operation to remove gallstones. Torrence has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures, located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Actor. An opera singer in his native Scotland, he switched to drama after coming to the U.S. and made his film debut in 1919. Torrence became a much sought-after character player after his role as the villain in "Tol'able David" (1921). He held his own against Lon Chaney in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923), played convincing hayseeds in "The Covered Wagon" (1923) and "Mantrap" (1926), and was an ideal 'Captain Hook' in "Peter Pan" (1924). Walt Disney used Torrence as the model for Hook in his own 1953 animated version of Peter Pan. Torrence survived the transition to talkies thanks to a resonant bass-baritone voice, despite a Scottish accent that limited his roles. His last film was "I Cover the Waterfront" (1933). He died in New York City, from a hospital infection following an operation to remove gallstones. Torrence has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to motion pictures, located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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