Regis Toomey

Birth Name:

John Regis Toomey

Birth Place:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Profession

Actor, Soundtrack

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․""
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
Best known for his role as Detective Les Hart in "Burke's Law" and as Chief Inspector Bernie Ohls in "The Big Sleep․"
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

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