Jack La Rue

Actor · 1902–1984 · New York City, New York, USA

Biography

Jack La Rue (born Gaspere Biondolillo) was an American stage, screen, and television actor. La Rue went from high school to his first acting job, in Otis Skinner's road company production of Blood and Sand. He performed in Broadway plays from around 1923 to 1931. According to La Rue, while appearing in Mae West's play Diamond Lil, he was spotted by Howard Hawks, who offered him a part in the film Scarface, starring Paul Muni. He moved to Hollywood, where he appeared in numerous films. However, Scarface was not one of them. La Rue stated in a newspaper article that, after four days, Hawks had to replace him with George Raft because La Rue was taller than Muni and had a more powerful voice. Later, however, Raft turned down the role of the despicable villain in The Story of Temple Drake, fearing it would damage his screen image, so the part went to La Rue. Sometimes mistaken for Humphrey Bogart, he played thugs and gangsters for the most part. However, director Frank Borzage atypically cast him as a priest in the 1932 version of A Farewell to Arms simply because, according to newspaper columnist Hubbard Keavy, he was "tired of seeing conventional characters". La Rue stated he turned down a role in The Godfather and many parts in the television series The Untouchables because of the way they portrayed Italian-Americans. La Rue died of a heart attack at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 81. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California.

Acted in 128

1970s

1976
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
Silent Film Villain
1975
Paesano
Bartender

1960s

1969
Love, American Style
Mr. Smith · 1 episode
66
1967
The Spy in the Green Hat
Federico 'Feet' Stilletto
1966
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.
Cassie · 1 episode
1964
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Federico 'Feet' Stilletto · 2 episodes
76
Robin and the 7 Hoods
Tomatoes
57
For Those Who Think Young
Cronin's Business Associate
53
1962
40 Pounds of Trouble
Nick the Greek (uncredited)

1950s

1957
Tombstone Territory
Padre Miguel · 1 episode
76
Perry Mason
Cafe Proprietor · 1 episode
81
1955
The Millionaire
Cricket Rosselli · 1 episode
1953
General Electric Theater
Nick Rocco, Ralphie Fargo · 1 episode
1952
Ride the Man Down
Kennedy
1950
For Heaven's Sake
Tony Clark

1940s

1948
No Orchids for Miss Blandish
Slim Grisson
1947
Robin Hood of Monterey
Don Ricardo Gonzales
Bush Pilot
Paul Girard
My Favorite Brunette
Tony
69
1946
Santa Fe Uprising
Bruce Jackson
In Old Sacramento
Laramie
Murder in the Music Hall
Bruce Wilton
Road to Utopia
LeBec
77
1945
Dakota
Suade
Cornered
Diego, Hotel Valet
65
The Spanish Main
Lt. Escobar
64
Steppin' in Society
Bow Tie
1944
Dangerous Passage
Mike
The Last Ride
Joe Genna
Leave It to the Irish
Rockwell
Machine Gun Mama
Jose
Follow the Leader
Larry
The Desert Song
Lt. Bertin
59
1943
Smart Guy
Matt Taylor
The Sultan's Daughter
Rata
Pistol Packin' Mama
Johnny Rossi
Never a Dull Moment
Joey
A Scream in the Dark
Cross
The Girl from Monterrey
Al Johnson
The Law Rides Again
Duke Dillon
Secret Service In Darkest Africa
Hassan
You Can't Beat the Law
Cain
1942
American Empire
Pierre - Beauchard Henchman
The Payoff
John Angus
X Marks the Spot
Marty Clark
Highways by Night
Johnny Lieber, Gangster
Pardon My Sarong
Tabor (uncredited)
67
A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen
Tommy Gould
1941
Swamp Woman
Pierre Pertinax Pontineau Briand Broussicourt d'Olivier, aka Pete Oliver
Hard Guy
Vic Monroe
Gentleman from Dixie
Thad Terrill
Ringside Maisie
Ricky Du Prez
Gangs Inc.
Mickey Roman
Footsteps in the Dark
Ace Vernon
68
1940
East of the River
Frank 'Frisco' Scarfi
Fugitive from a Prison Camp
Red Nelson
The Sea Hawk
Lt. Ortega
80
Enemy Agent
Alex
Forgotten Girls
Eddie Nolan
Charlie Chan in Panama
Emil Manolo