Actor. Born Waldo Brian Donlevy, for over four decades, he was a popular character performer in feature films and television. At age 14, he lied about his age to join the U.S. Army and served as a pilot with the Lafayette Escadrille, French Air Force, comprised of American and Canadian pilots, during World War I (WWI). He spent two years at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, then gave up his military career and established himself as a stage performer. Heading to California, he made his big screen debut in the silent film "A Man of Quality" (1926), followed by his first talkie "Gentleman of the Press" (1929). He went on to appear in over 90 films such as "Beau Geste" (1939), for which he received an Academy Award (Oscar) nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Sergeant Markoff. His many other noted films included "Jesse James" (1939), "Wake Island" (1942), "Two Years Before the Mast" (1946), "Fighting Coast Guard" (1951), "Cowboy" (1958) and "Never So Few" (1959). For television, his credits included "Crossroads", "Dangerous Assignment", "The Texan", "Perry Mason" and "Family Affair". Retiring from acting in 1969, he was prosperous in the California tungsten mine business until his death at age 71.
Actor. Born Waldo Brian Donlevy, for over four decades, he was a popular character performer in feature films and television. At age 14, he lied about his age to join the U.S. Army and served as a pilot with the Lafayette Escadrille, French Air Force, comprised of American and Canadian pilots, during World War I (WWI). He spent two years at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, then gave up his military career and established himself as a stage performer. Heading to California, he made his big screen debut in the silent film "A Man of Quality" (1926), followed by his first talkie "Gentleman of the Press" (1929). He went on to appear in over 90 films such as "Beau Geste" (1939), for which he received an Academy Award (Oscar) nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Sergeant Markoff. His many other noted films included "Jesse James" (1939), "Wake Island" (1942), "Two Years Before the Mast" (1946), "Fighting Coast Guard" (1951), "Cowboy" (1958) and "Never So Few" (1959). For television, his credits included "Crossroads", "Dangerous Assignment", "The Texan", "Perry Mason" and "Family Affair". Retiring from acting in 1969, he was prosperous in the California tungsten mine business until his death at age 71.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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