Job Actor
Years active 1918-1973
Known for Scowling smile and deeply resonant voice; villains and historical characters
Top Roles Adam Trask, John Brown, John Ives, Maj. Gen. Snipes, Narrator
Top GenresDrama, Adventure, Romance, War, Action, Film Adaptation
Top TopicsWorld War II, Book-Based, Aviation
Top Collaborators (Director), (Director), (Director), (Producer)
Shares birthday with Joan Blondell, Shirley Booth, Fred MacMurray  see more..

Raymond Massey Overview:

Legendary actor, Raymond Massey, was born Raymond Hart Massey on Aug 30, 1896 in Toronto, Canada. Massey appeared in over 80 film and TV roles. His best known films include The Scarlet Pimpernel (as Chauvelin), Santa Fe Trail (as John Brown), Reap the Wild Wind (as King Cutler), Arsenic and Old Lace (as Jonathan Brewster), The Fountainhead (as Gail Wynand), and East of Eden (as Adam Trask). He also appeared as Dr. Leonard Gillespie in the TV series Dr. Kildare from 1961 to 1966. Massey died at the age of 86 on Jul 29, 1983 in Los Angeles, CA and was laid to rest in Beaverdale Memorial Park Cemetery in New Haven, CT.

MINI BIO:

With a scowling smile and deeply resonant voice, Raymond Massey alternated between British and Hollywood films for ten years before settling in America in 1941 and showing a liking for villains and historical characters. He married actress Adrianne Allen (second of three wives).

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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Although Massey was nominated for one Oscar, he never won a competitive Academy Award.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1940Best ActorAbe Lincoln in Illinois (1940)Abraham LincolnNominated
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He was honored with two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the categories of Motion Pictures and Television. In addition, Massey was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame .

BlogHub Articles:

Summer Under the Stars Blogathon: Day 8 –

on Aug 8, 2015 From Journeys in Classic Film

?is the star for today!?Below, you?ll find links to those participating and honoring Massey?(updated as they come in), as well as my own reviews of his work throughout the years. Meredy.com contributes a profile on Massey JCF REVIEWS Possessed?(1947) East of Eden?(1955) Fill in your... Read full article


Summer Under the Stars Guide:

By Amanda Garrett on Aug 7, 2015 From Old Hollywood Films

Today's star is the renowned character actor . TCM is celebrating the career of with 12 movies on Aug. 8. Here's what you need to know about Massey, who was famous for playing historical figures. FYI: TCM sometimes changes the air times and /or movies, so you can g... Read full article


By Bogart Fan on Feb 13, 2014 From The Bogie Film Blog

Birth Name: Raymond Hart Massey Birthdate: August 30, 1896 Number of Films Made with Humphrey Bogart: 2 The Lowdown A veteran of the Canadian Army from World War I and World War II, Massey had a long and distinguished career in film and television ? and even achieved the honor of hav... Read full article


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Raymond Massey Quotes:

Adam Trask: (refusing Cal's gift of money) If you want to give me a present, give me a good life. That's something I can value.


Andy Brock: The government says, "We want men to fight the Nazis, join today." So I joined. I figured they were in a hurry. That was three hundred and eighty seven days ago. Four divisions and a lot of drafts have gone overseas, and what's number B987642 doing? Guarding the Chippewa Canal. Who'd want to steal it anyway?


Jonathan Brewster: I'll get every one of you! I hate cops! I'll brain the first one that comes near me!


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Best Actor Oscar 1940






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Raymond Massey on the
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Raymond Massey Facts
Younger brother of Canadian politician Vincent Massey (1887-1967), who was the first Canadian-born Governor General of Canada (1952-59).

Father of Anna Massey, Daniel Massey and Geoffrey Massey. Grandfather of the producer Raymond Massey and Alice Massey.

There was much dissatisfaction among the public when it was learned that Massey, a Canadian with clear diction and a fine speaking voice, had been selected to play Abraham Lincoln in the stage production of "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" - until he received rave reviews for his performance. His subsequent reprise of the role in the 1940 film version (Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940)) earned him an Oscar nomination.

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Theater Hall of Fame

Also in the Theater Hall of Fame


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