Paul Douglas (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Douglas
Douglas in A Letter to Three Wives (1949)
Born	Paul Douglas Fleischer (1907-04-11)April 11, 1907 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	September 11, 1959(1959-09-11) (aged 52) Hollywood, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1936−1959
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Farnum (m. 19??; div. 19??) Susie Wells (m. 19??; div. 19??) Gerri Higgins ​ ​ (m. 1940; div. 1941)​ Virginia Field ​ ​ (m. 1942; div. 1946)​ Jan Sterling ​ (m. 1950)​
Children	4

Paul Douglas Fleischer (born April 11, 1907 – died September 11, 1959), known as Paul Douglas, was an American actor. He was famous for his roles in movies and on stage.

Early Life and Education

Paul Douglas was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents were Margaret and William Paul Fleischer. He went to Yale University. While there, he enjoyed acting in student plays.

Acting Career Highlights

Paul Douglas started his acting career on Broadway in 1936. His first play was called Double Dummy. In 1946, he won two awards for his role in the play Born Yesterday. These were the Theatre World Award and the Clarence Derwent Award.

Movies and TV Shows

Douglas began acting in films in 1949. He is well-known for two funny baseball movies: It Happens Every Spring (1949) and Angels in the Outfield (1951). He also played a police officer in the thriller Panic in the Streets (1950). Other notable roles include a businessman in Executive Suite (1954) and a con man in When in Rome (1952). In 1952, he starred with Barbara Stanwyck in Clash by Night.

He was also the host of the 22nd Academy Awards in 1950. On radio, he was an announcer for The Ed Wynn Show. He was also the first host of NBC Radio's The Horn & Hardart Children's Hour. In 1959, he appeared on The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show.

Later Roles and Challenges

Paul Douglas was chosen for a role in The Twilight Zone in 1960. The episode was called "The Mighty Casey". He finished filming his scenes just before he passed away. Because he was very ill during filming, his scenes were later re-shot with another actor, Jack Warden.

He was also supposed to be in the movie The Apartment (1960). After his death, the role was given to Fred MacMurray.

Personal Life

Paul Douglas was married several times and had four children. He married actress Virginia Field in 1942. They had a daughter named Margaret. They later separated. In 1950, he married actress Jan Sterling. They had a son named Adams, who was born in 1955. Jan Sterling was his wife when he passed away.

Death

Paul Douglas died from a heart attack on September 11, 1959. He was 52 years old. He passed away at his home in Hollywood, California. His death happened just one day after he finished filming his scenes for The Twilight Zone episode "The Mighty Casey".

Complete Filmography

Radio Appearances