Jonathan Hale
Acting • Born 1891-03-20 – Died 1966-02-28
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jonathan Hale (born Jonathan Hatley, March 21, 1891 – February 28, 1966) was a Canadian-born film and television actor. Hale was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Before his acting career, Hale worked in the Diplomatic Corps. Hale is most well known as Dagwood Bumstead's boss, Julius Caesar Dithers, in the Blondie film series in the 1940s. He is also notable for playing Inspector Fernack in various The Saint films by RKO Pictures. In 1950 he made two appearances in The Cisco Kid as Barry Owens. He also appeared in two different episodes of Adventures of Superman: "The Evil Three", in which he played a murderous "Southern Colonel"-type character, and "Panic in the Sky", one of the most famous episodes, in which he played the lead astronomer at the Metropolis Observatory, actually a California observatory. Among the relatively few television programs on which Hale appeared are the religion anthology series Crossroads, The Loretta Young Show, Brave Eagle, Schlitz Playhouse, The Joey Bishop Show, and Walt Disney Presents: "A Tribute to Joel Chandler Harris". Hale committed suicide on February 28, 1966. He was found dead that evening in his room at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Hale had taken his own life with a .38 caliber pistol, which was found near his body. He was 74. Hale was interred at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California. Sadly, Hale's grave went unmarked for more than four decades, until a proper headstone was erected by donations from the "Dearly Departed" fan-based group in 2013; he is now honored with the inscription, "We Remembered You".
Filmography
212 credits
Blondie
Movie • 1938
Mr. Dithers
Blondie Brings Up Baby
Movie • 1939
J.C. Dithers
Blondie Meets the Boss
Movie • 1939
J.C. Dithars
Blondie Has Servant Trouble
Movie • 1940
J.C. Dithers
Blondie Plays Cupid
Movie • 1940
J.C. Dithers
Blondie in Society
Movie • 1941
J.C. Dithers
Blondie for Victory
Movie • 1942
J.C. Dithers
Blondie Goes Latin
Movie • 1941
J.C. Dithers
Blondie Goes to College
Movie • 1942
J.C. Dithers
Blondie's Blessed Event
Movie • 1942
J.C. Dithers
Footlight Glamour
Movie • 1943
J.C. Dithers
It's a Great Life
Movie • 1943
J.C. Dithers
Leave It to Blondie
Movie • 1945
J.C. Dithers
Blondie Knows Best
Movie • 1946
J.C. Dithers
Blondie's Lucky Day
Movie • 1946
J.C. Dithers
Life with Blondie
Movie • 1945
J.C. Dithers
Strangers on a Train
Movie • 1951
Mr. Antony
Hangmen Also Die!
Movie • 1943
Dedic
Jack London
Movie • 1943
Kerwin Maxwell
The Steel Trap
Movie • 1952
Tom Bowers
Nobody's Darling
Movie • 1943
Jason Rhodes
Charlie Chan at the Olympics
Movie • 1937
Mr. Hopkins
Scandal Sheet
Movie • 1952
Frank Madison
Charlie Chan's Secret
Movie • 1936
Warren T. Phelps
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
Movie • 1936
Warren Fenton
Triple Trouble
Movie • 1950
The Judge
High Wall
Movie • 1947
Emory Garrison
The Great Swindle
Movie • 1941
Swann
Boys Town
Movie • 1938
John Hargraves
The Strange Mr. Gregory
Movie • 1945
Defense Attorney Blair
The Baron of Arizona
Movie • 1950
Governor
End of the Road
Movie • 1944
Gregory McCune
The Night Holds Terror
Movie • 1955
Bob Henderson
36 Hours to Kill
Movie • 1936
Mac - Train Conductor
Alice Adams
Movie • 1935
Mr. Palmer
Dead Man's Eyes
Movie • 1944
Dr. Sam Welles
The Saint's Double Trouble
Movie • 1940
Inspector Henry Fernack
Saratoga
Movie • 1937
Frank Clayton
Disaster
Movie • 1948
Police Commissioner Jerome
The Judge
Movie • 1949
Judge Allan J. Brooks
The Saint in New York
Movie • 1938
Inspector Henry Fernack
The Saint Strikes Back
Movie • 1939
Inspector Henry Fernack
The Story of Alexander Graham Bell
Movie • 1939
President of Western Union
The Amazing Mrs. Holliday
Movie • 1943
The Ghost Goes Wild
Movie • 1947
Max Atterbury
Strange Alibi
Movie • 1941
Police Chief Sprague
The Saint Takes Over
Movie • 1940
Inspector Henry Fernack
The Saint In Palm Springs
Movie • 1941
Inspector Henry Fernack
The Beginning or the End
Movie • 1947
Dr. Vannevar Bush
Flight Lieutenant
Movie • 1942
Joseph Sanford
The Walls Came Tumbling Down
Movie • 1946
Captain Griffin
Cattle Queen of Montana
Movie • 1954
Politician (uncredited)
The Rear Gunner
Movie • 1943
Commanding Officer
Wife Wanted
Movie • 1946
Philip Conway
Sea Devils
Movie • 1937
Court-Martial President (uncredited)
State Department: File 649
Movie • 1949
Director-General
Arsène Lupin Returns
Movie • 1938
F.B.I. Special Agent
The Accusing Finger
Movie • 1936
Special Prosecutor
Hit-and-Run Driver
Movie • 1935
Captain James (uncredited)
Over the Wall
Movie • 1938
Governor James McDonald
Insurance Investigator
Movie • 1951
Russell James
Danger – Love at Work
Movie • 1937
Parsons, an attorney
Let's Go Navy!
Movie • 1951
Captain
Racketeers in Exile
Movie • 1937
Alden Parker
Flight from Destiny
Movie • 1941
Dist. Atty. Johnson
Divorce
Movie • 1945
Judge
The Duke of West Point
Movie • 1938
Steven's Father
Miss Annie Rooney
Movie • 1942
Mr. Martin White
Too Many Parents
Movie • 1936
Judge
Lightning Strikes Twice
Movie • 1934
Capt. Nelson
Duffy of San Quentin
Movie • 1954
Boyd
The Case Against Mrs. Ames
Movie • 1936
First trial judge
The Flaming Urge
Movie • 1953
Mr. Chalmers
Happy Go Lucky
Movie • 1936
J. Lansing Bennett
Tarnished Angel
Movie • 1938
Detective Sgt. Cramer
A Lost Lady
Movie • 1934
(uncredited)
In Old Monterey
Movie • 1939
Stevenson
Man Alive
Movie • 1945
Osborne
She's Dangerous
Movie • 1937
Charles Fitzgerald
Barricade
Movie • 1939
Assistant Secretary of State
Rolling Home
Movie • 1946
Henry Kane
John Meade's Woman
Movie • 1937
Mr. Melton
Her Jungle Love
Movie • 1938
J.C. Martin
There's Something About a Soldier
Movie • 1943
Gen. Sommerton
Judge Hardy's Children
Movie • 1938
John Lee
Exiled to Shanghai
Movie • 1937
J.B. Willet
Son of Paleface
Movie • 1952
Governor Freeman (uncredited)
Letter of Introduction
Movie • 1938
Lou Woodstock (uncredited)
Breaking the Ice
Movie • 1938
Mr. Kane
Let 'em Have It
Movie • 1935
Microscopic Expert
Gangs of New York
Movie • 1938
Warden
The First Hundred Years
Movie • 1938
Judge Parker
Wives Under Suspicion
Movie • 1938
Allison
Riverboat Rhythm
Movie • 1946
Col. Edward Beeler
Rose of the Yukon
Movie • 1949
Gen. Butler
Fugitives for a Night
Movie • 1938
Police Captain
The Phantom Speaks
Movie • 1945
Owen McAllister
Sunny Side of the Street
Movie • 1951
Cyrus Pelley
Madame X
Movie • 1937
Hugh Fariman Sr.
Taxi
Movie • 1953
Mr. Barker (uncredited)
One New York Night
Movie • 1935
Mr. Stokes
Road Demon
Movie • 1938
Anderson
The Amazing Mr. Williams
Movie • 1939
Mayor
Man Of The People
Movie • 1937
Carter Spetner
In Name Only
Movie • 1939
Dr. Gateson
The Man Who Found Himself
Movie • 1937
Dr. Tom Smythe
Spendthrift
Movie • 1936
Attorney
Sutter's Gold
Movie • 1936
Prosecuting Attorney
The Devil Is a Sissy
Movie • 1936
Judge Holmes
There's That Woman Again
Movie • 1938
Rolfe Davis
Rocky
Movie • 1948
Kenneth Forrester
Gentlemen Are Born
Movie • 1934
Second Broker
Men with Wings
Movie • 1938
Long
The Black Parachute
Movie • 1944
King Stephen
Stand Up and Fight
Movie • 1939
Colonel Webb
Wings of the Navy
Movie • 1939
Commandant
Tail Spin
Movie • 1939
Racing Official Starter (Uncredited)
Thunder Afloat
Movie • 1939
Admiral Girard
Kansas Pacific
Movie • 1953
Sherman Johnson
Outcast
Movie • 1937
Fury
Movie • 1936
Defense Attorney
You Can't Buy Luck
Movie • 1937
Prosecutor (uncredited)
Behind Southern Lines
Movie • 1952
General
Wings Over Honolulu
Movie • 1937
Judge Advocate
Sweet Rosie O'Grady
Movie • 1943
Mr. Fox
Jaguar
Movie • 1956
Dr. Powell
Dakota
Movie • 1945
Colonel Wordin
Her Husband's Affairs
Movie • 1947
Gov. Fox
Too Tough to Kill
Movie • 1935
Chairman of the Board
Big Town Girl
Movie • 1937
Hershell
The Pittsburgh Kid
Movie • 1941
Max Ellison
Johnny Apollo
Movie • 1940
Dr. Brown
Joe Smith, American
Movie • 1942
Blake McKettrick
The Three Outlaws
Movie • 1956
Pinkerton
My Buddy
Movie • 1944
Senator Henry
G.I. Honeymoon
Movie • 1945
Colonel Hammerhead Smith
We Who Are Young
Movie • 1940
Braddock
This Is My Affair
Movie • 1937
Judge
Three Live Ghosts
Movie • 1936
Detective Bolton
Rodeo King and the Senorita
Movie • 1951
Dr. Sands
The Singing Kid
Movie • 1936
Dr. Brown (uncredited)
Stampede
Movie • 1949
Varick
Black Gold
Movie • 1947
Senator Watkins
Easy to Wed
Movie • 1946
Hector Boswell
Gay Blades
Movie • 1946
Whittlesey
Sinner Take All
Movie • 1936
Dr. Harrison (uncredited)
Short Grass
Movie • 1950
Charlie Bissel
Lone Star Ranger
Movie • 1942
Judge Longstreth
Silver River
Movie • 1948
Major Spencer
Calling Dr. Gillespie
Movie • 1942
Frank M. Todwell
Call Northside 777
Movie • 1948
Governor's Aide Robert Winston (uncredited)
Dulcy
Movie • 1940
Homer Patterson
A Night at the Opera
Movie • 1935
The Stage Manager (uncredited)
A Star Is Born
Movie • 1937
Judge George J. Parris (uncredited)
A Night at the Ritz
Movie • 1935
Director (uncredited)
Watchtower Over Tomorrow
Movie • 1945
Security Council Chair
Housewife
Movie • 1934
Doctor
The Vigilantes Return
Movie • 1947
Judge Holden
Yellow Jack
Movie • 1938
Major General Leonard Wood
Midnight Madonna
Movie • 1937
Stuart Kirkland
Navy Wife
Movie • 1935
Norton
She Couldn't Say No
Movie • 1954
John Bentley
This Is the Life
Movie • 1944
Dr. Plum
Flying Hostess
Movie • 1936
Kendall
The Bugle Sounds
Movie • 1942
Brigadier-General
Crime Ring
Movie • 1938
Bank President
The Cat Creeps
Movie • 1946
Walter Elliott
Federal Agent at Large
Movie • 1950
James Goodwin
Her First Beau
Movie • 1941
Mr. Harris
Melody and Moonlight
Movie • 1940
Otis Barnett
3 Kids and a Queen
Movie • 1935
Gangster
Panic on the Air
Movie • 1936
Johnson
You Only Live Once
Movie • 1937
District Attorney (uncredited)
Ringside Maisie
Movie • 1941
Dr. Kramer
The Case of the Howling Dog
Movie • 1934
Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
'G' Men
Movie • 1935
Congressman (uncredited)
Public Hero Number 1
Movie • 1935
Prison Board Member (uncredited)
The Raven
Movie • 1935
Bedside Dr. at Jerry's Right (uncredited)
Page Miss Glory
Movie • 1935
Husband at Train Station (uncredited)
The Calling of Dan Matthews
Movie • 1935
Club Owner (uncredited)
If You Could Only Cook
Movie • 1935
Henry Brown - Member of Board of Directors (uncredited)
You May Be Next!
Movie • 1936
Army Officer (uncredited)
The Voice of Bugle Ann
Movie • 1936
District Attorney
Educating Father
Movie • 1936
Fred Humphrey
Hollywood Canteen
Movie • 1944
Mr. Brodel (uncredited)
Angel on My Shoulder
Movie • 1946
Citizens for Better Government Chairman (uncredited)
Johnny Belinda
Movie • 1948
Dr. Horace M. Gray (uncredited)
The Fountainhead
Movie • 1949
Guy Francon (uncredited)
Young Man with Ideas
Movie • 1952
Stanley Rickson (uncredited)
The Tall Target
Movie • 1951
Passenger from Carolina (uncredited)
China Clipper
Movie • 1936
State Department Official (uncredited)
Allotment Wives
Movie • 1945
Brig. Gen. H.N. Gilbert
Private Affairs
Movie • 1940
George Gilkin
Three Husbands
Movie • 1950
Edward Wurdeman - Attorney at Law
Tap Roots
Movie • 1948
Gen. Johnston (uncredited)
One Against the World
Movie • 1939
Dr. Ephraim McDowell
The Big Guy
Movie • 1939
Jack Lane
A Dangerous Profession
Movie • 1949
The League of Frightened Men
Movie • 1937
Alexander Drummond
Lassie
TV • 1954
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
TV • 1951
Adventures of Superman
TV • 1952
Professor Roberts
The Whistler
TV • 1954
Cavalcade of America
TV • 1952
The Cisco Kid
TV • 1950
Barry Owens
City Detective
TV • 1953
Mr. & Mrs. North
TV • 1952
Screen Director's Playhouse
TV • 1955
Mayor
Crossroads
TV • 1955
Governor
The Cisco Kid
TV • 1950
Barry Owen aka Bill Stevens
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok
TV • 1951
General
MGM Parade
TV • 1955