Monty Woolley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Monty Woolley
Wooley as Sheridan Whiteside, 1942
Born	Edgar Montillion Woolley (1888-08-17)August 17, 1888 New York City, U.S.
Died	May 6, 1963(1963-05-06) (aged 74) Albany, New York, U.S.
Resting place	Greenridge Cemetery, Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County, New York
Occupation	Actor, director
Years active	1929?–1955
Known for	The Man Who Came to Dinner

Edgar Montilion "Monty" Woolley (August 17, 1888 – May 6, 1963) was an American actor. He starred in both movies and plays. He became famous at age 50 for his role in the 1939 play The Man Who Came to Dinner. He also starred in the 1942 movie version of the play. Monty Woolley was known for his distinctive white beard. Fans often called him "The Beard."

Early Life and Education

Monty Woolley was born in New York City in the area called Manhattan. He grew up in a wealthy family. He went to Yale University and Harvard University, earning several degrees. The famous composer Cole Porter was a close friend from Yale.

Later, Woolley taught English and drama at Yale. Some of his students became famous writers, like Thornton Wilder. During World War I, he served in the United States Army in Paris.

Becoming an Actor

Hollywood Walk of Fame, 6542 Hollywood Blvd.

Monty Woolley started directing plays on Broadway in 1929. He began acting on stage in 1936. In 1939, he starred in the comedy The Man Who Came to Dinner. He performed this play 783 times. This role made him famous for playing smart, sometimes grumpy, characters.

In the 1940s, Woolley started working with 20th Century Fox. He appeared in many films until the mid-1950s. His most famous movie role was in the 1942 film The Man Who Came To Dinner. He played a grumpy radio host in a wheelchair. This character was based on a real writer named Alexander Woollcott.

Woolley also played himself in the 1946 movie Night and Day. This film was about his friend, Cole Porter. He also appeared in The Bishop's Wife (1947). In the comedy As Young as You Feel (1951), he played a printer who pretended to be an executive to get his job back.

Radio and Television Appearances

Monty Woolley was a frequent guest on many radio shows. He appeared on The Fred Allen Show and Duffy's Tavern. He was also a guest on The Big Show and The Chase and Sanborn Hour.

In 1950, Woolley got the main role in the NBC radio series The Magnificent Montague. He played a former Shakespearean actor. This actor had to take a job on daily radio, becoming an unexpected star. He often argued with his wife, Lily, and his maid, Agnes. The show ran from November 1950 to September 1951.

Hand and beard print at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Woolley also appeared on television. He had his own drama series called On Stage with Monty Woolley. In 1954, he starred in a CBS TV version of The Man Who Came to Dinner. He also appeared in other TV dramas.

After his last film, Kismet (1955), he returned to radio for about a year. He then had to retire because of poor health.

Awards and Recognition

Monty Woolley was nominated for two Academy Awards. He was nominated for Best Actor in 1943 for The Pied Piper. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1945 for Since You Went Away. In 1942, he won a Best Actor award from the National Board of Review for The Pied Piper.

In 1943, his hands and beard were pressed into the pavement at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. His star is officially for "Motion Pictures."

Later Life and Legacy

Monty Woolley lived with a companion named Cary Abbott for many years. They lived together in Saratoga Springs, New York, until Abbott's death in 1948.

Monty Woolley was known for his quick wit. One time, at a dinner party, he burped. A woman nearby looked at him angrily. He looked back and said, "And what did you expect, my good woman? Chimes?" This line was later added to one of his movie roles.

In 1943, the famous director Alfred Hitchcock wrote a mystery story. It was called "The Murder of Monty Woolley."

Death

Monty Woolley passed away on May 6, 1963, in Albany, New York. He was 74 years old. He died from problems with his kidneys and heart. He is buried at the Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Stage Performances

• Fifty Million Frenchmen (1929) - Director
• The Second Little Show (1930) - Director
• The New Yorkers (1930) - Director
• America's Sweetheart (1931) - Director
• Walk a Little Faster (1933) - Book director
• Champagne, Sec (1933) - Director
• Jubilee (1935) - Dialogue director
• On Your Toes (1936) - Sergei Alexandrovitch
• Knights of Song (1938) - His Royal Highness, Albert Edward
• The Man Who Came to Dinner (1939) - Sheridan Whiteside

Filmography

Radio Appearances

Images for kids

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  Wooley as Sheridan Whiteside, 1942

See also

In Spanish: Monty Woolley para niños