Occupation Actor Role Film actor | Name John Ridgely Years active 1935–1954 | |
 | ||
Full Name John Huntington Rea Movies The Big Sleep, Air Force, Destination Tokyo, The Greatest Show on, Possessed Similar People John Garfield, Curtis Bernhardt, Howard Hawks, Gig Young, Jack L Warner | ||
Resting place Forest Lawn Memorial Park | ||
Il grande sonno - Philip Marlowe incontra Vivian Sternwood
John Ridgely (September 6, 1909 – January 18, 1968) was an American film character actor with over 175 film credits.
Contents
Early years
Born John Huntington Rea in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of John Ridgely Rea. Ridgely's elementary schooling was in Hinsdale, Illinois, and he attended Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri. He also attended Stanford University before going into a career in movies.
Film
He appeared in the 1946 Humphrey Bogart film The Big Sleep as blackmailing gangster Eddie Mars and had a memorable role as a suffering heart patient in the film noir Nora Prentiss (1947).
The Chicago-born actor appeared in a large number of other Warner Bros. films in the 1930s and 1940s.
Freelancing after 1948, John Ridgely continued to essay general-purpose parts until he left films in 1953; thereafter, he worked in summer-theater productions and television until his death from a heart attack at the age of 58.
Filmography
Actor
1952
Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (TV Series) as
Downey - Lawyer
- Outlaw's Portrait (1955) - Downey - Lawyer
- Photographer Story (1952) - Downey - Lawyer
1954
Woman with a Past (TV Series)
1954
The Big Story (TV Series)
- Ed Engledow of the Lamesa (Texas) Daily Reporter (1954)
1953
Your Favorite Story (TV Series) as
John Page
- The Magician (1953) - John Page
1952
Dangerous Assignment (TV Series) as
Sanders / Allen
- The Venetian Story (1952) - Sanders
- The Black Hood Story (1952) - Allen
1952
The Congregation
1952
This Is the Life (TV Series) as
Joe Turner
- My Brother (1952) - Joe Turner
1952
Off Limits as
Lt. Cmdr. Parnell
1952
Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) as
Steve - Newspaper Editor
- Dress in the Window (1952) - Steve - Newspaper Editor
1952
The Outcasts of Poker Flat as
Bill Akeley (uncredited)
1952
Rebound (TV Series) as
Niles
- The Prize (1952) - Niles
1952
Fort Osage as
Henry Travers
1952
Room for One More as
Harry Foreman
1952
The Greatest Show on Earth as
Assistant Manager
1951
Front Page Detective (TV Series)
- A Friend of the Corpse (1951)
1951
The Blue Veil as
Doctor (uncredited)
1951
As You Were as
Captain
1951
When Worlds Collide as
Chief Customs Inspector (uncredited)
1951
When the Redskins Rode as
Christopher Gist
1951
Half Angel as
Tim McCarey
1951
Thunder in God's Country as
Bill Stafford
1951
A Place in the Sun as
Coroner
1951
The Last Outpost as
Sam McQuade
1951
Pal's Gallant Journey (Short) as
Gary's Father
1951
Al Jennings of Oklahoma as
Railroad Detective Dan Hanes
1950
Saddle Tramp as
Slim
1950
Pal, Canine Detective (Short) as
Gary's Father
1950
Rookie Fireman as
Harry Williams
1950
The Petty Girl as
Patrolman
1950
Edge of Doom as
1st Detective
1950
The Lost Volcano as
Fred Barton
1950
Beauty on Parade as
Jeffrey Woodstock
1950
Backfire as
Plainclothesman (uncredited)
1950
South Sea Sinner as
Don Williams
1949
Border Incident as
Mr. Neley
1949
Dog of the Wild (Short) as
Gary's Father
1949
Once More, My Darling as
Burke
1949
Task Force as
Dixie Rankin
1949
Tucson as
Ben
1949
I Found a Dog (Short) as
The Minister
1948
Command Decision as
James Carwood
1948
Trouble Makers as
'Silky' Thomas
1948
Pal's Return (Short) as
Gary's Father
1948
Sealed Verdict as
Capt. Lance Nissen
1948
Big Sister Blues (Short) as
Alec Saunders
1948
Luxury Liner as
Chief Officer Carver (as John Ridgeley)
1948
Night Wind as
Walters
1948
The Iron Curtain as
RCMP Officer Murphy (uncredited)
1947
High Wall as
David Wallace (as John Ridgeley)
1947
Cry Wolf as
Jackson Laidell
1947
Cheyenne as
Chalkeye
1947
That's My Man as
Ramsey
1947
Possessed as
Harker
1947
That Way with Women as
Sam
1947
Nora Prentiss as
Walter Bailey
1946
The Man I Love as
Roy Otis
1946
The Big Sleep as
Eddie Mars
1946
Two Guys from Milwaukee as
Mike Collins
1945
My Reputation as
Cary Abbott
1945
Danger Signal as
Thomas Turner
1945
Pride of the Marines as
Jim Merchant
1945
God Is My Co-Pilot as
David 'Tex' Hill
1944
Hollywood Canteen as
John Ridgely
1944
Arsenic and Old Lace as
Saunders
1944
The Doughgirls as
Julian Cadman
1943
Destination Tokyo as
Reserve Officer Raymond
1943
Northern Pursuit as
Jim Austin
1943
Air Force as
Captain Mike Quincannon - 'Mary Ann' Pilot
1942
Secret Enemies as
Agent John Trent
1942
Wings for the Eagle as
Johnson
1942
The Big Shot as
Tim
1942
Bullet Scars as
Hank O'Connor
1941
Dangerously They Live as
John
1941
The Man Who Came to Dinner as
Radio Man
1941
Steel Against the Sky as
Joe (uncredited)
1941
They Died with Their Boots On as
2nd Lt. Davis (uncredited)
1941
At the Stroke of Twelve (Short) as
Reporter (uncredited)
1941
Nine Lives Are Not Enough as
Mechanic (uncredited)
1941
Navy Blues as
Jersey
1941
Those Good Old Days (Short) as
Joe La Rue Jr. - Gloria's Father (uncredited)
1941
International Squadron as
Bill Torrence
1941
Highway West as
Alex - Armored Car Guard
1941
Throwing a Party (Short)
1941
Million Dollar Baby as
Ollie Ward
1941
The Wagons Roll at Night as
Arch
1941
Strange Alibi as
Tex
1941
Knockout as
Pat Martin
1941
Here Comes Happiness as
Jim
1941
The Great Mr. Nobody as
Eddie Williams
1941
Honeymoon for Three as
Tomahawk Inn Desk Clerk (uncredited)
1941
Skinnay Ennis and His Orchestra (Short) as
Assistant (uncredited)
1940
March on, Marines (Short) as
Hap
1940
Lady with Red Hair as
Actor Playing Paul (uncredited)
1940
Father Is a Prince as
Salesman
1940
The Letter as
Driver (uncredited)
1940
Knute Rockne All American as
Reporter (scenes deleted)
1940
No Time for Comedy as
Cashier (uncredited)
1940
Service with the Colors (Short) as
Army Lieutenant (uncredited)
1940
Money and the Woman as
Doctor (uncredited)
1940
River's End as
Constable Jeffers
1940
They Drive by Night as
Hank Dawson (uncredited)
1940
Pony Express Days (Short) as
Telegraph Operator, Sacramento (uncredited)
1940
The Man Who Talked Too Much as
Brooks
1940
Gambling on the High Seas as
Harbor Police Radio Operator (uncredited)
1940
Brother Orchid as
Texas Pearson
1940
Flight Angels as
Lt. Parsons
1940
Torrid Zone as
Gardner
1940
Saturday's Children as
Mr. MacReady (voice, uncredited)
1940
'Til We Meet Again as
Junior Officer (uncredited)
1940
The Singing Dude (Short) as
Cowhand (uncredited)
1940
3 Cheers for the Irish as
Photographer (uncredited)
1940
Alice in Movieland (Short) as
Bill (uncredited)
1940
Teddy the Rough Rider (Short) as
Reporter (uncredited)
1940
Castle on the Hudson as
Intake Guard (uncredited)
1940
The Fighting 69th as
Moran (uncredited)
1940
Spills for Thrills (Short) as
Movie Director (uncredited)
1939
Invisible Stripes as
Employment Clerk (uncredited)
1939
Private Detective as
Donald Norton
1939
A Child Is Born as
Intern Going to See Operation (uncredited)
1939
The Return of Doctor X as
Rodgers
1939
Kid Nightingale as
Whitey
1939
On Dress Parade as
Fort Lewis Firing Range Sergeant (uncredited)
1939
The Roaring Twenties as
Cabbie at Grand Central (uncredited)
1939
Smashing the Money Ring as
Policeman (uncredited)
1939
Slapsie Maxie's (Short) as
Reporter (uncredited)
1939
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase as
Reporter
1939
Angels Wash Their Faces as
Reporter at Pillory (uncredited)
1939
Everybody's Hobby as
Ranger Mike Morgan
1939
The Bill of Rights (Short) as
Massachusetts Congressman (uncredited)
1939
Torchy Blane.. Playing with Dynamite as
Reporter at the Wrestling Match
1939
The Cowboy Quarterback as
Mr. Walters
1939
Each Dawn I Die as
Reporter (uncredited)
1939
Waterfront as
Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
1939
Indianapolis Speedway as
Ted Horn
1939
Quiet, Please (Short) as
Sears' Assistant (uncredited)
1939
Naughty But Nice as
Harry (uncredited)
1939
Inside Information as
Policeman (uncredited)
1939
The Kid from Kokomo as
Sam, a 50% Owner
1939
Torchy Runs for Mayor as
Photographer in Mayor's Office (uncredited)
1939
Confessions of a Nazi Spy as
Army Hospital Clerk (uncredited)
1939
Dark Victory as
Man Making Crack About Judith (uncredited)
1939
Women in the Wind as
Salesman (uncredited)
1939
On Trial as
Radio Announcer (uncredited)
1939
You Can't Get Away with Murder as
Gas Station Attendant
1939
The Adventures of Jane Arden as
Reporter
1939
Secret Service of the Air as
Joe LeRoy
1939
Nancy Drew... Reporter as
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
1939
Wings of the Navy as
Dan Morrison
1939
Torchy Blane in Chinatown as
Submarine Officer (uncredited)
1939
They Made Me a Criminal as
Charlie Magee
1939
King of the Underworld as
Jerry
1938
Going Places as
Desk Clerk
1938
Nancy Drew: Detective as
Radio Station Technician (uncredited)
1938
Torchy Gets Her Man as
Bugs
1938
Hard to Get as
Burke
1938
Broadway Musketeers as
Master of Ceremonies (scenes deleted)
1938
Garden of the Moon as
Sound Control Engineer (uncredited)
1938
Boy Meets Girl as
Simmons (uncredited)
1938
Sons of the Plains (Short)
1938
Racket Busters as
Yellow Stripe Truck Driver (uncredited)
1938
Cowboy from Brooklyn as
Beacon Reporter (as John Ridgley)
1938
My Bill as
Florist
1938
When Were You Born? as
Crenshaw, Policeman (uncredited)
1938
Men Are Such Fools as
Jerry (uncredited)
1938
Little Miss Thoroughbred as
Jim aka Slug, Becker's Henchman
1938
Western Trails as
Ben McClure
1938
Crime School as
Reporter Covering 'Escape' (uncredited)
1938
Torchy Blane in Panama as
Reynolds (as John Ridgeley)
1938
He Couldn't Say No as
Ed, the Man-On-The-Street Radio Reporter
1938
Forbidden Valley as
Duke Lafferty
1938
Blondes at Work as
Regan
1938
White Banners as
Charles Ellis
1938
The Invisible Menace as
Pvt. Innes (scenes deleted)
1938
The Patient in Room 18 as
Jim Warren
1938
The Spy Ring as
Spy Ring Member (uncredited)
1937
Hollywood Hotel as
Tall Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
1937
Missing Witnesses as
Train Ticket Clerk (uncredited)
1937
Submarine D-1 as
Lieutenant Junior Grade (uncredited)
1937
The Man Without a Country (Short) as
Ship's Officer (uncredited)
1937
They Won't Forget as
Boy in Pool Room (uncredited)
1935
Streamline Express as
2nd Steward (uncredited)
Soundtrack
1940
Brother Orchid (performer: "My Little Buckaroo" (1937) - uncredited)
1938
Forbidden Valley (performer: "Get Along, Little Pony" - uncredited)
Self
1943
Proceed and Report (Documentary short) as
Murphy's pal (uncredited)
1943
Mountain Fighters (Documentary short) as
Lt. Evers
Archive Footage
2023
Compression (TV Series documentary)
- Compression The Big Sleep de Howard Hawks (2023)
2009
The Rules of Film Noir (TV Movie documentary) as
Eddie Mars (clip from The Big Sleep (1946)) (uncredited)
References
John Ridgely Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA