Calvin Thomas (actor)

For other people with the same name, see Calvin Thomas.

Calvin Louis Thomas (1885 – September 26, 1964) was an American stage, film and television actor, and a theatre director.

Biography

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Jesse and Virginia Thomas,[1] he was the older brother of actor Frank M. Thomas. He began performing on Broadway in 1907 as Louis Thomas,[2] making his debut as a bit player in Peer Gynt with Richard Mansfield in the starring role.[3] Also in 1907 and again as Louis Thomas, he appeared as Servius in a production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre, with Robert Mantell as Marcus Brutus.[4] He began performing as Calvin Thomas in 1912.[5] Thomas made his film debut in 1915 in The Money Master, but performed mostly on the Broadway stage, appearing in nearly 40 plays and musicals. He appeared as the Starkeeper in the original Broadway production of Carousel and also had Broadway roles in Kiss and Tell, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Show Girl, and We, the People.[6] In 1927 he performed with Margaret Mosier in Junk, and they soon married; she died in 1951.[7] His last Broadway role was as Dr. Ormondy in the 1955 production of Pipe Dream.[8]

Thomas also appeared in several television series, including Hallmark Hall of Fame and, in its first (1955–56) season, The Honeymooners (in the episodes "'Twas the Night before Christmas," "Oh My Aching Back," and "The Safety Award."[9]

Personal life

Thomas died in Caldwell, New Jersey in 1964 at the age of 79. He was survived by his second wife, Delia, whom he married in 1954, and two sons by his first marriage.[3]

References

  1. ^ 1910 census, Buchanan Co., MO
  2. ^ "Louis Thomas Theatre Credits". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  3. ^ a b Staff. "Calvin L. Thomas, Actor, Dies at 79", The New York Times, September 27, 1964. Accessed July 2, 2011.
  4. ^ Playbill for the production: "Mr. William A. Brady Announces Mr. Robert Mantell in Shakespere". New Amsterdam Theatre, week beginning April 29, 1907
  5. ^ "Calvin Thomas Theatre Credits". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  6. ^ "Calvin L. Thomas, Actor, Dies at 79," Obituary, The New York Times, 1964.
  7. ^ "Mrs Thomas, 44, Retired Actress," Obituary, The New York Times, June 1951
  8. ^ "Calvin Thomas Biography". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-07. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  9. ^ "IBDb". IMDb. Retrieved 2013-04-02.


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