Lloyd Nolan was a versatile and prolific American actor who appeared in over 160 films and television shows. He was best known for his roles as doctors, detectives, and military officers, and for his portrayal of Captain Queeg in the play and TV adaptation of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. He was also nominated for two Emmy Awards, one for his role as Dr. Morton Chegley in the comedy series Julia, and another for his role as Captain Queeg. He died of lung cancer on September 27, 1985, at the age of 83.
Early Life and Career
Lloyd Nolan was born on August 11, 1902, in San Francisco, California, to James and Margaret Nolan, who were of Irish descent. His father was a successful shoe manufacturer who wanted his son to join the family business, but Lloyd had other plans. He developed a passion for acting while attending Santa Clara Preparatory School and Stanford University, where he flunked out as a freshman. He then joined the United States Merchant Marine and later the Dennis Players theatrical troupe in Cape Cod.
He made his Broadway debut in 1929 in a musical revue called Cape Cod Follies, and gained recognition for his performance as Biff Grimes in the play One Sunday Afternoon in 1933. He moved to Hollywood in 1934 and signed a contract with Paramount Pictures, where he starred in several B-movies, mostly in the genres of crime, drama, and comedy. He worked with notable actors and actresses such as Mae West, George Raft, and Dorothy McGuire, and played the title character in the Michael Shayne detective series.
Rise to Fame and Recognition
In 1940, Nolan left Paramount and became a freelance actor, working for various studios such as 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., and Columbia. He appeared in more prestigious and diverse films, such as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Street with No Name, The Lemon Drop Kid, and Island in the Sky. He also served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II, making training films and entertaining troops.
In 1954, Nolan achieved his greatest success on stage when he originated the role of Captain Queeg in Herman Wouk’s play The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial, based on the novel The Caine Mutiny. He won critical acclaim and a Best Actor Emmy Award for reprising the role in a 1955 TV adaptation. He also starred in several other TV productions, such as The Twilight Zone, The Untouchables, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Nolan focused more on television than film, appearing in popular shows such as Bonanza, The Virginian, The Fugitive, and Columbo. He also played recurring roles as doctors in the soap opera Peyton Place and the sitcom Julia, the latter of which earned him another Emmy nomination. He continued to work until his death, with his final role being in Woody Allen’s Hannah and Her Sisters, which was released posthumously in 1986.
Personal Life and Death
Nolan was married twice, first to Mell Efrid, a former actress and singer, from 1933 until her death in 1981. They had two children, a son named Jay and a daughter named Nancy. He married his second wife, Virginia Dabney, a former journalist and publicist, in 1983. He was a devout Catholic and a supporter of the Republican Party.
Nolan was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1984 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. He died on September 27, 1985, at his home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, surrounded by his family and friends. He was buried at Westwood Memorial Park, where his epitaph reads: “Lloyd Nolan, Actor’s Actor”. He was praised by his colleagues and critics as a consummate professional and a versatile performer who could handle any role with ease and conviction.
According to Wikipedia, Nolan’s obituary in the Los Angeles Times was entitled “Lloyd Nolan, the Actor’s Actor, Dies”. He was also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and an induction into the Western Performers Hall of Fame. He is remembered as one of the most prolific and reliable actors of his generation, who left a lasting impression on the audiences and the industry.
