1. Overview
Onslow Stevens (born Onslow Ford Stevenson; March 29, 1902 - January 5, 1977) was an American stage, television, and film actor. Throughout his career, he appeared in over 80 films, initially taking on lead roles before transitioning primarily to character roles. He also made notable appearances on Broadway and in various television programs.
2. Life
Onslow Stevens' life was marked by a deep involvement in the performing arts from a young age, leading to an extensive career across different mediums.
2.1. Early life and background
Born in Los Angeles, California, Onslow Stevens was the son of British-born character actor Houseley Stevenson. His entire family was involved in the performing arts. Stevens began his acting career in 1926 at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, where his family members also worked as performers, directors, and teachers.
2.2. Acting career
Stevens made his Broadway debut in the play Stage Door in 1936. He went on to perform in over 80 films, initially starring in lead roles. As his career progressed, he increasingly took on character roles, showcasing his versatility. Beyond film, he also had a significant presence in television.
3. Film
Onslow Stevens had a prolific career in cinema, appearing in numerous feature-length films across several decades.
3.1. Filmography
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Gay Diplomat | 1932 | Lieutenant | Film debut, Uncredited |
| Once in a Lifetime | 1932 | Lawrence Vail | |
| Radio Patrol | 1932 | Carl Hughes | |
| The Golden West | 1932 | Calvin Brown | |
| Born to Fight | 1932 | Clark Moran | |
| Okay, America! | 1932 | President | Off-screen credit |
| Heroes of the West | 1932 | Tom Crosby | |
| Jungle Mystery | 1932 | Jack Morgan | Chapter 12: "Buried Treasure" |
| Counsellor at Law | 1933 | John P. Tedesco | |
| Secret of the Blue Room | 1933 | Frank Faber | |
| Peg o' My Heart | 1933 | Sir Gerald "Jerry" Markham | |
| Nagana | 1933 | Dr. Roy Stark | |
| Only Yesterday | 1933 | Barnard, Party Guest | |
| Bombay Mail | 1934 | John Hawley | |
| This Side of Heaven | 1934 | Walter Hamilton | |
| The Crosby Case | 1934 | Francis Scott Graham | |
| I Like It That Way | 1934 | Harry Rogers | |
| I'll Tell the World | 1934 | Prince Michael | |
| The Vanishing Shadow | 1934 | Stanley Stanfield | |
| Affairs of a Gentleman | 1934 | Lyn Durland | |
| In Love with Life | 1934 | Prof. John Sylvestus Applegate | |
| I Can't Escape | 1934 | Steve Nichols aka Steve Cummings | |
| House of Danger | 1934 | Don Phillips | |
| A Notorious Gentleman | 1935 | John Barrett | |
| Born to Gamble | 1935 | Dan 'Ace' Cartwright Henry Mathews | |
| The Three Musketeers | 1935 | Aramis | |
| Grand Exit | 1935 | John Grayson | |
| Forced Landing | 1935 | Farraday | |
| The Bridge of Sighs | 1936 | Jeffrey 'Jeff' Powell | |
| Yellow Dust | 1936 | Jack Hanway | |
| Three on the Trail | 1936 | Pecos Kane | |
| Under Two Flags | 1936 | Sidi-Ben Youssiff | |
| F-Man | 1936 | Mr. Shaw | |
| Easy Money | 1936 | Dan Adams | |
| Straight from the Shoulder | 1936 | Mr. Wendi | |
| Murder with Pictures | 1936 | Nate Girard | |
| You Can't Buy Luck | 1937 | Joe Baldwin | |
| Flight From Glory | 1937 | Ellis | |
| There Goes the Groom | 1937 | Dr. Becker | |
| Life Returns | 1938 | Dr. John Kendrick | 1938 theatrical release, previously released in 1934-1935 for select showings only. |
| When Tomorrow Comes | 1939 | Jim Holden | |
| Those High Grey Walls | 1939 | Dr. Frank Norton | |
| The Man Who Wouldn't Talk | 1940 | Frederick Keller | |
| Mystery Sea Raider | 1940 | Carl Cutler | |
| Who Killed Aunt Maggie? | 1940 | Bob Dunbar | |
| The Monster and the Girl | 1941 | J. Stanley McMasters | Alternative titles: The Avenging Brain, D.O.A. |
| Go West, Young Lady | 1941 | Tom Hannegan | |
| Sunset Serenade | 1942 | Gregg Jackson | |
| Idaho | 1943 | State Ranger Bob Stevens | |
| Appointment in Berlin | 1943 | Rudolph Von Preissing | |
| Hands Across the Border | 1944 | Brock Danvers | |
| House of Dracula | 1945 | Dr. Franz Edlemann | Alternative title: The Wolf Man's Cure |
| O.S.S. | 1946 | Field | |
| Canyon Passage | 1946 | Jack Lestrade | |
| Angel on My Shoulder | 1946 | Dr. Max Higgins | |
| The Creeper | 1948 | Dr. Jim Bordon | |
| Walk a Crooked Mile | 1948 | Igor Braun | |
| Night Has a Thousand Eyes | 1948 | Dr. Walters | Credited as Onslow Stevenson |
| The Gallant Blade | 1948 | Gen. de la Garance | |
| Bomba, the Jungle Boy | 1949 | George Harland | |
| Red, Hot and Blue | 1949 | Captain Allen | |
| State Penitentiary | 1950 | Jim Evans | |
| Mark of the Gorilla | 1950 | Prof. Brandt | |
| Motor Patrol | 1950 | Lt. Dearborn | |
| Sirocco | 1951 | Emir Hassan | |
| Lorna Doone | 1951 | Counsellor Doone | |
| The Hills of Utah | 1951 | Jayda McQueen | |
| Sealed Cargo | 1951 | Cmdr. James McLean | |
| Revenue Agent | 1951 | Sam Bellows | |
| One Too Many | 1951 | Dr. Foster | |
| All That I Have | 1951 | Attorney Palmer | |
| Life of St. Paul | 1951 | Series of five short films | |
| The Family Secret | 1951 | Judge Geoffrey N. Williams | |
| The San Francisco Story | 1952 | Captain Jim Martin | |
| The Magnificent Adventure | 1952 | ||
| The Charge at Feather River | 1953 | Grover Johnson | |
| A Lion Is in the Streets | 1953 | Guy Polli | |
| Fangs of the Wild | 1954 | Jim Summers | |
| They Rode West | 1954 | Col. Ethan Waters | |
| Them! | 1954 | Brig. Gen. Robert O'Brien | |
| New York Confidential | 1955 | Johnny Achilles | |
| Tribute to a Bad Man | 1956 | Hearn | |
| Outside the Law | 1956 | Chief Agent Alec Conrad | |
| The Ten Commandments | 1956 | Lugal | |
| Kelly and Me | 1957 | Walter Van Runkel | |
| Lonelyhearts | 1958 | Mr. Lassiter | |
| The Party Crashers | 1958 | Jim Nickerson | |
| Tarawa Beachhead | 1958 | General Nathan Keller | |
| The Buccaneer | 1959 | Phipps - Customs Inspector | |
| All the Fine Young Cannibals | 1960 | Joshua Davis | |
| The Couch | 1962 | Dr. W.L. Janz, M.D. |
4. Television
Onslow Stevens also contributed to television, appearing in various programs and series.
4.1. Television appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Waterfront | Capt. Bart Hubbard/Sam Borer | 2 episodes |
| 1955 | Cheyenne | Judge Culver | 1 episode |
| 1958 | The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin | Major Edward Karn | 1 episode |
| 1958-1960 | Wagon Train | Jack Hanford/Francis Mason/Col. Daniel Morgan Benedict II/Cass Fleming | 4 episodes, including 'The Mark Hanford Story' |
| 1959 | Gunsmoke | Sheriff Ben Goddard | 1 episode |
| 1959 | The Deputy | Tom Deaver | 1 episode |
| 1959 | Bonanza | Flint Johnson | 1 episode |
| 1960 | Overland Trail | President Ulysses S. Grant | 1 episode |
| 1960 | Outlaws | John Kyle | 1 episode |
| 1960-1961 | The Wonderful World of Disney | General Miles | Role in Texas John Slaughter segments |
5. Death
Onslow Stevens died on January 5, 1977, at the age of 74. He spent his final years in a nursing home in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. His death was officially attributed to pneumonia, which he contracted after suffering a broken hip. However, his wife alleged that his death was neither from natural causes nor an accident, claiming he had been abused by fellow residents at the nursing home. He was interred in an unmarked grave at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.
6. Recognition
For his significant contributions to the motion picture industry, Onslow Stevens was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is located at 6349 Hollywood Boulevard.