John Halliday
Encyclopedia
John Halliday was an American actor of stage and screen, who often played suave aristocrats and foreigners.
In 1905 Halliday, a civil engineer at the time, migrated to Nevada and dug up a fortune in gold nuggets and managed to lose the lot. Despite his origins in Brooklyn
, he often took on a British accent in his portrayals. Making his Broadway debut in 1912 in Cecil Raleigh
and Henry Hamilton
's The Whip, he became a familiar presence there, especially in sophisticated comedies such as W. Somerset Maugham
's The Circle (1921), Vincent Lawrence's Sour Grapes (1926), Louis Verneuil's
Jealousy (1928) and S. N. Behrman
's Rain from Heaven (1934).
He was also well known for his film roles. He was one of the leading actors in the drama film Millie
, and in 1939 he starred in Intermezzo
.
His best-known movie appearance was as "Seth Lord", father of Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn
) in the film adaptation of Philip Barry
's The Philadelphia Story
(1940). The following year he played his last role in Lydia
(1941).
He died from a heart ailment on October 17, 1947 in Hawaii
.
In 1905 Halliday, a civil engineer at the time, migrated to Nevada and dug up a fortune in gold nuggets and managed to lose the lot. Despite his origins in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, he often took on a British accent in his portrayals. Making his Broadway debut in 1912 in Cecil Raleigh
Cecil Raleigh
Cecil Raleigh was an English actor and playwright.He was the son of Dr. John Fothergill Rowlands, and took the stage name of Raleigh...
and Henry Hamilton
Henry Hamilton (playwright)
Henry Hamilton was an English playwright, lyricist, and critic. He is best remembered for his musical theatre pieces....
's The Whip, he became a familiar presence there, especially in sophisticated comedies such as W. Somerset Maugham
W. Somerset Maugham
William Somerset Maugham , CH was an English playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and, reputedly, the highest paid author during the 1930s.-Childhood and education:...
's The Circle (1921), Vincent Lawrence's Sour Grapes (1926), Louis Verneuil's
Louis Verneuil
Louis Jacques Marie Collin du Bocage , better known by the pen name Louis Verneuil, was a French playwright, screenwriter, and actor....
Jealousy (1928) and S. N. Behrman
S. N. Behrman
Samuel Nathaniel Behrman was an American playwright and screenwriter, who also worked for the New York Times.-Early Years:...
's Rain from Heaven (1934).
He was also well known for his film roles. He was one of the leading actors in the drama film Millie
Millie (film)
Millie is a Pre-Code drama film directed by John Francis Dillon and released by RKO Radio Pictures. Based on the novel by Donald Henderson Clarke, the movie stars Helen Twelvetrees, Lilyan Tashman, James Hall, and Joan Blondell.-Plot:...
, and in 1939 he starred in Intermezzo
Intermezzo (1939 film)
Intermezzo is a romantic film made in the USA by Selznick International Pictures. It was directed by Gregory Ratoff and produced by David O. Selznick. It is a remake of the Swedish film Intermezzo . The screenplay by George O'Neil was based on the screenplay of the original film by Gösta Stevens...
.
His best-known movie appearance was as "Seth Lord", father of Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress of film, stage, and television. In a career that spanned 62 years as a leading lady, she was best known for playing strong-willed, sophisticated women in both dramas and comedies...
) in the film adaptation of Philip Barry
Philip Barry
Philip James Quinn Barry was an American playwright born in Rochester, New York.-Early life:Philip Barry was born on June 18, 1896 in Rochester, New York to James Corbett Barry and Mary Agnes Quinn Barry. James would die from appendicitis a year after Philip's birth, and his father's marble and...
's The Philadelphia Story
The Philadelphia Story (play)
The Philadelphia Story is a 1939 American comic play by Philip Barry. It tells the story of a socialite whose wedding plans are complicated by the simultaneous arrival of her ex-husband and an attractive journalist.-Production:...
(1940). The following year he played his last role in Lydia
Lydia (film)
Lydia is a 1941 drama film, directed by Julien Duvivier. It stars Merle Oberon as Lydia MacMillan, a woman whose life is seen from her spoiled, immature youth through bitter and resentful middle years, until at last she is old and accepting...
(1941).
He died from a heart ailment on October 17, 1947 in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.