Jack La Rue Photo

Jack La Rue

Acting

4.6 Popularity May 03, 1902 (81 years old) New York City, New York, USA

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...

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.

Filmography 131

2007
Girl 27 Movie

as Self (archive footage)

2003
Complicated Women Movie

as Self (archive footage)

1997
Bogart: The Untold Story Movie

as Self (archive footage)

1976
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood Movie

as Silent Film Villain

1969
Love, American Style TV

as Mr. Smith

1967
The Spy in the Green Hat Movie

as Federico 'Feet' Stilletto

1964
Robin and the 7 Hoods Movie

as Tomatoes

1964
For Those Who Think Young Movie

as Cronin's Business Associate

1962
40 Pounds of Trouble Movie

as Nick the Greek

1957
Perry Mason TV

as Cafe Proprietor

1955
The Millionaire TV

as Cricket Rosselli

1953
1953
General Electric Theater TV

as Ralphie Fargo

1952
Ride the Man Down Movie

as Kennedy

1950
For Heaven's Sake Movie

as Tony Clark

1949
Lights Out TV

as Narrator (voice)

1948
No Orchids for Miss Blandish Movie

as Slim Grisson

1947
Robin Hood of Monterey Movie

as Don Ricardo Gonzales

1947
Bush Pilot Movie

as Paul Girard

Photos 4

Jack La Rue Photo
Jack La Rue Photo
Jack La Rue Photo
Jack La Rue Photo

Personal Details

Known For Acting
Gender Not specified
Birthday May 03, 1902 (81 years old)
Died January 11, 1984
Place of Birth New York City, New York, USA
Also Known As Gaspere Biondolillo, Jack LaRue, The Latin Lover (nickname) and 1 more
Years Active 1925 - 2007
Popularity 4.6
Career Stats
131 Total Credits
124 Movie Roles
7 TV Roles
4 Photos