Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the savvy Henry Morton in "The Devil Bat" (1940). Born James Usher, after working in stock companies for several years, he was discovered by director George Archainbaud while attending a casting call for bit players. Impressed by his mature appearance, professionalism, and baritone voice, he arranged for him to begin a career in the film industry beginning with him appearing in a supporting role under his supervision in "The Penguin Pool Murder" (1932). From there, he would go on to flourish as a notable character actor appearing in over 190 features; often typecast as businessmen, industrialists, white-collared workers, doctors, lawyers, politicians, curmudgeons, wealthy bachelors, and patriarchs. He appeared in such feature films as "Face in the Sky" (1933), "Flirting with Danger" (1934), "Make a Million" (1935), "Postal Inspector" (1936), "Counsel for Crime" (1937), "Crashing Through Danger" (1938), "Wolf Call" (1939), "I Take This Oath" (1940), "King of the Zombies" (1941), "Lady for a Night" (1942), and "The Avenging Rider" (1943). During his career, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, had been a theatrical instructor for the Pasadena Playhouse, was a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, was a member of the Hollywood Democratic Committee, presided as a chairman for his local charters of the American Red Cross and the Seeing Eye, served as an honorary president of the Eckhardt Players, and he was a frequent ghost writer for the San Francisco Examiner. After appearing in a guest role on an episode of the radio program "Suspense", Usher, who never married nor had any children, died from complications of undisclosed causes.
Actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the savvy Henry Morton in "The Devil Bat" (1940). Born James Usher, after working in stock companies for several years, he was discovered by director George Archainbaud while attending a casting call for bit players. Impressed by his mature appearance, professionalism, and baritone voice, he arranged for him to begin a career in the film industry beginning with him appearing in a supporting role under his supervision in "The Penguin Pool Murder" (1932). From there, he would go on to flourish as a notable character actor appearing in over 190 features; often typecast as businessmen, industrialists, white-collared workers, doctors, lawyers, politicians, curmudgeons, wealthy bachelors, and patriarchs. He appeared in such feature films as "Face in the Sky" (1933), "Flirting with Danger" (1934), "Make a Million" (1935), "Postal Inspector" (1936), "Counsel for Crime" (1937), "Crashing Through Danger" (1938), "Wolf Call" (1939), "I Take This Oath" (1940), "King of the Zombies" (1941), "Lady for a Night" (1942), and "The Avenging Rider" (1943). During his career, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, had been a theatrical instructor for the Pasadena Playhouse, was a regular parishioner of the Catholic church, was a member of the Hollywood Democratic Committee, presided as a chairman for his local charters of the American Red Cross and the Seeing Eye, served as an honorary president of the Eckhardt Players, and he was a frequent ghost writer for the San Francisco Examiner. After appearing in a guest role on an episode of the radio program "Suspense", Usher, who never married nor had any children, died from complications of undisclosed causes.
Bio by: Lowell Thurgood
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