Regis Toomey Biography

Fast Facts

• Graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and studied drama at the Carnegie Institute of Technology
• Made his screen acting debut as Danny McGann in the film "Alibi" in 1929
• Started out as a stage actor and singer in stock companies and on Broadway before throat problems ended the singing part of his career
• Quote: "(On breaking his vow to never appear in another film where his character died for Cecil B․ DeMille's "Union Pacific"): "It wasn't so bad․ I died in Barbara Stanwyck's arms․ If you gotta go, that's as good a way as any․""
• Quote: "(On his first film, "Alibi"): "It was a good part - until the crooks shot me․ This was the first of a long series of death scenes․ The trouble was that in each succeeding picture I got knocked off sooner, so the roles were growing smaller․""
• Best known for his role as Detective Les Hart in "Burke's Law" and as Chief Inspector Bernie Ohls in "The Big Sleep․"
• Appeared in more than 200 films during his 50-year career, often playing tough-guy characters who are killed before the end of the film
• In 1941's "You're in the Army Now," he and Jane Wyman shared what was then the longest kiss in film history, lasting 185 seconds