Richard Hale

For the mixed-martial-arts fighter, see Richard Hale (fighter).
Richard Hale

Richard Hale (middle) in Abilene Town (1946) with Randolph Scott and Edgar Buchanan
Born James Richards Hale
(1892-11-16)16 November 1892
Rogersville, Tennessee, USA
Died 18 May 1981(1981-05-18) (aged 88)
Northridge, Los Angeles, California, USA
Occupation Actor/ Narrator/ Singer
Years active 191478
Spouse(s) Fiona O'Shiel Hale

Richard Hale (16 November 1892 18 May 1981) was an American opera and concert singer and later a character actor of film, stage and television. Hale's appearance usually landed him roles as either Middle Eastern or Native American characters.

Born James Richards Hale in Rogersville, Tennessee, he attended Columbia University on a singing scholarship.[1] Upon graduation in 1914, he turned down an offer to join Columbia's English department, choosing instead to join Minnie Maddern Fiske's theater group.[1] Hale's 1921 debut at Aeolian Hall began a successful career in opera as a baritone;[2][3] he toured Europe and the United States. The 1927 New York Times film review of The Unknown credits "Richard Hale, baritone" as singing "The Pirate's Frolic".[4] During the 1930s, Hale performed at the Berkshire Playhouse in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Hale also narrated Peter and the Wolf for Sergei Prokofiev, at Tanglewood, with Koussevitsky conducting. Hale was also the narrator for Arthur Fiedler's 1953 RCA recording of the same music with the Boston Pops.

In later life, he turned more and more to acting. His most notable role was in the 1956 film Friendly Persuasion, starring Gary Cooper. He was also notable as the Soothsayer who warns "Beware the Ides of March!" in the Shakespeare film Julius Caesar (1953. In All the King's Men his character's name was Richard Hale. Hale also appeared in To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) as the sinister neighbour Nathan Radley. He was also known for his portrayal of Father Manuel Ferreira in The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima. He made four guest appearances on Perry Mason, including murder victim George Lutts in 1957 in the show's third episode, "The Case of the Nervous Accomplice," and general store owner Robert Tepper in the 1960 episode, "The Case of the Violent Village." He also appeared in television programs such as Cheyenne ,Rawhide, Maverick, Daniel Boone, Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and Adam-12.

His death at the age of 88 was due to problems relating to cardiovascular disease.

Partial filmography

References

  1. 1 2 "Richard Hale, Baritone, Appears". The New York Times. April 8, 1922.
  2. "Richard Hale, Baritone, Pleases". The New York Times. April 13, 1921.
  3. "In the World of Concerts and Opera: Singers Who Will Appear in Recitals During the Week". New York Tribune. April 10, 1021.; including image captioned Richard Hale, Baritone
  4. Mordaunt Hall (June 13, 1927). "The Unknown (1927): The Armless Wonder". The New York Times.
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