James Donlan (July 23, 1888 – June 7, 1938) was an American actor. Born in San Francisco, California, Donlan appeared in 107 films between 1929 and 1939. He was the father of actress Yolande Donlan.[1]

James Donlan
James Donlan
BornJuly 23, 1888
DiedJune 7, 1938(1938-06-07) (aged 49)
OccupationActor
SpouseTheresa Mollot Donlan
ChildrenYolande Donlan (daughter)

In his early career Donlan was the actor-manager of a theatre company called The Permanent Players. While touring in Winnipeg, Canada he met singer Theresa Mollot who joined his company and moved to New York with him.[1]

Donlan performed in several plays in New York City, including Home Again (1918) and The Lady Killer (1924).[2] He also worked in Silent movies, including with actor-writer J.C. Nugent.[3]

By the time Donlan got his first part in Talking Pictures, in Big News (1929), he had moved from New York to Hollywood, California with his wife Theresa and his child Yolande.

A character actor, Donlan played in scenes opposite several stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood including Mae West in Belle of the Nineties (1934) and Harold Lloyd in Professor Beware (1938).[1]

On June 7, 1938, Donlan died, aged 49, from a heart attack.[4][5][1]

Robert Armstrong and Tom Kennedy in Big News 1929

Selected filmography

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James Donlan with Glenda Farrell in Traveling Saleslady (1935)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Third Time Lucky by Yolande Donlan, The Dial Press James Wade, New York, 1976, ISBN 0-8037-7780-9
  2. ^ "James Donlan – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  3. ^ "Prints of SILENT STILL: MEN. J. C. Nugent and James Donlan". Media Storehouse Photo Prints. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  4. ^ "James Donlan, 49, Film Actor, Dies". The Sacramento Bee. Associated Press. June 9, 1938. p. 19. Retrieved April 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Veteran actor of Stage and Screen Dies". The Long Beach Sun, CA. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.,
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