John Loder (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Loder
Loder in 1949
Born	William John Muir Lowe (1898-01-03)3 January 1898 London, England
Died	26 December 1988(1988-12-26) (aged 90) London, England
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1925–1971
Spouse(s)	Sophie Kabel (m. 1925; div. 19??) Micheline Cheirel ​ ​ (m. 1936; div. 1941)​ Hedy Lamarr ​ ​ (m. 1943; div. 1947)​ Evelyn Auff Mordt ​ ​ (m. 1949; div. 1955)​ Alba Julia Lagomarsino ​ ​ (m. 1958; div. 1972)​
Children	5
Parent(s)	William Lowe (father)

John Loder (born William John Muir Lowe; 3 January 1898 – 26 December 1988) was a British actor. He became famous in films in Germany and Britain. Later, he moved to the United States in 1928 to work in the new "talkies" (movies with sound). He became an American citizen in 1947. After living in Argentina, he became a British citizen again in 1959.

John Loder's Life and Career

Early Years

John Loder was born in 1898 in London, England. His father, W. H. M. Lowe, was a British army officer who became a general. Loder went to famous schools like Eton and the Royal Military College at Sandhurst.

Serving in World War One

Loder joined the army just like his father. He became a second lieutenant in 1915 during World War I. He was sent to Gallipoli, where he served until the British army left.

In 1916, he was stationed in Ireland with his father. They both saw the surrender of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin.

Later, he rejoined his regiment in France and fought in the 1916 Battle of the Somme. On March 21, 1918, he was captured by the Germans and became a prisoner of war. After being released, Loder stayed in Germany for military duties.

Starting Acting in Germany

After leaving the army, Loder started a pickle factory with a friend in Germany. But soon, he became interested in acting. He performed in plays in Berlin and found success.

He began appearing in small roles in German films. He had a good part in Madame Wants No Children (1926). Over the next two years, he appeared in many more films like The Last Waltz (1927) and Alraune (1928).

Moving to Hollywood

Loder returned to the United Kingdom for a short time. He had a supporting role in The First Born (1928). That same year, he sailed to the United States to try his luck in Hollywood with the new "talkies."

He signed with Paramount Studios. He appeared in The Doctor's Secret (1929), which was Paramount's first talking picture. He also made a Western film called Sunset Pass (1929). However, his very English style didn't always connect with American audiences at first.

He also appeared in Black Waters (1929), which was the first British talkie made in the US. He continued to make films for various studios like MGM and Pathe.

Back to British Films

Loder then returned to Britain. He starred in comedies and dramas. He was in Money Means Nothing (1932) and Wedding Rehearsal (1933).

He had a small part in the very popular film The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933). Loder also played leading roles in many British films, often as a romantic hero. Some of these included Love, Life and Laughter (1934) with Gracie Fields and Lorna Doone (1934).

He played the hero in Alfred Hitchcock's film Sabotage (1936). He also starred as Sir Henry Curtis in the 1937 film King Solomon's Mines. He worked with famous actresses like Margaret Lockwood in Doctor Syn (1937).

Return to Hollywood During World War II

When Britain entered World War II, Loder went back to the United States. He often played upper-class characters in "B movies" (lower-budget films). He also acted on Broadway in a play called For Love or Money.

He appeared in war films like Confirm or Deny (1941) and Eagle Squadron (1941). At 20th Century Fox, he was in How Green Was My Valley (1941).

At Warner Bros., he played a wealthy widower in Now, Voyager (1942) with Bette Davis. He also supported Humphrey Bogart in Passage to Marseille (1944).

Later Career and Life

Loder continued to act in supporting roles and lead parts in B films. He appeared with his then-wife, Hedy Lamarr, in Dishonored Lady (1947). Around this time, he started focusing more on business than acting.

His later films included British movies like The Story of Esther Costello (1957) and Gideon's Day (1958). His last film role was in The Firechasers (1971).

Family Life

John Loder was married five times. Two of his wives were actresses.

• He first married French actress Micheline Cheirel in 1936. They had one daughter.
• His second wife was Austrian-American actress Hedy Lamarr, whom he married in 1943. They had three children together: James, Denise, and Anthony.

Hedy Lamarr and Loder in 1946

His other wives were Sophie Kabel, Evelyn Auff Mordt, and Alba Julia Lagomarsino. After marrying Alba Julia Lagomarsino in 1958, he lived on her large cattle ranch in Argentina.

After their divorce in 1972, Loder moved back to London. He had become an American citizen in 1947, but then became a British citizen again in 1959.

Final Years

John Loder wrote a book about his life called Hollywood Hussar in 1977. As he got older, his health declined. He passed away in London in 1988 at the age of 90.

Filmography