Ray Collins Biography

Fast Facts

• Starting in 1960, his physical health steadily declined and his memory waned until he died of emphysema five years later
• Started acting on stage at the age of 14
• After leaving the theatre during the Great Depression, went into radio acting that led him to become a regular on a radio series created by Orson Welles and played roles in various literary adaptations, including "Treasure Island" and "Sherlock Holmes․"
• Best known for his role as Lieutenant Tragg on "Perry Mason․"
• Involved in a Vancouver acting company called Vancouver's Popular Players and performed at the original Orpheum Theatre in British Columbia
• After his years working with director Orson Welles at Mercury Theatre, the renowned filmmaker was quoted as saying Collins was the "finest actor I've ever worked with․"
• From the ages of 17 and 30, Collins was rumored to have been out of work for a total of five weeks