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James Donlan
James Donlan
James Donlan
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James Donlan (July 23, 1888 – June 7, 1938) was an American actor. Born in San Francisco, California, Donlan appeared in 107 films between 1929 and 1939. He was the father of actress Yolande Donlan.[1]

Key Information

In his early career Donlan was the actor-manager of a theatre company called The Permanent Players. While touring in Winnipeg, Canada he met singer Theresa Mollot who joined his company and moved to New York with him.[1]

Donlan performed in several plays in New York City, including Home Again (1918) and The Lady Killer (1924).[2] He also worked in Silent movies, including with actor-writer J.C. Nugent.[3]

By the time Donlan got his first part in Talking Pictures, in Big News (1929), he had moved from New York to Hollywood, California with his wife Theresa and his child Yolande.

A character actor, Donlan played in scenes opposite several stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood including Mae West in Belle of the Nineties (1934) and Harold Lloyd in Professor Beware (1938).[1]

On June 7, 1938, Donlan died, aged 49, from a heart attack.[4][5][1]

Robert Armstrong and Tom Kennedy in Big News 1929

Selected filmography

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James Donlan with Glenda Farrell in Traveling Saleslady (1935)

References

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James Donlan

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James Donlan was an American actor known for his prolific career in early Hollywood sound films, appearing in over 100 movies primarily in supporting roles between 1929 and 1939. Born on July 23, 1888, in San Francisco, California, he transitioned from stage work to screen acting with the advent of talkies, quickly becoming a familiar character actor in a wide range of productions. His filmography includes titles such as The Bishop Murder Case, College Humor, and The Whole Town's Talking, reflecting his versatility during the Golden Age of Hollywood's formative years. Donlan's career was cut short by his death on June 7, 1938, in Hollywood, California, at the age of 49, just as the film industry continued to evolve. Though primarily remembered for his extensive body of work rather than starring roles, he contributed to numerous notable films of the era through reliable supporting performances.

Early life

Family background and childhood

James Henry Donlan was born on July 23, 1888, in San Francisco, California. His father, James Timothy Donlan, died in 1904, and his mother, Minnie McCusker Donlan, died in 1903. Following his parents' deaths in 1903–1904, Donlan was orphaned at a young age along with three siblings.

Entry into acting

James Donlan began his acting career on the stage after growing up in San Francisco, California. Specific details about his initial engagements in regional or stock companies remain scarce, as records for early 20th-century theatre work—particularly pre-1910s productions—are limited and often incomplete. This early experience in professional theatre laid the groundwork for his later leadership roles in stage management.

Stage career

Theatre company management and touring

In his early career, James Donlan served as the actor-manager of a theatre company known as The Permanent Players. While touring with the company in Winnipeg, Canada, he met singer Theresa Mollot. She subsequently joined The Permanent Players and later relocated with him to New York. This touring and management period preceded his Broadway work.

Broadway performances

James Donlan's Broadway career was brief, consisting of two documented appearances in New York productions. He made his Broadway debut as a performer in the original play Home Again, which opened at the Playhouse Theatre on November 11, 1918, and closed in December 1918. Specific details about his role in the production remain unlisted in primary records. Donlan returned to Broadway six years later in the farce The Lady Killer, playing the character Hogan. Written by Alice Mandel and Frank Mandel, the play opened on March 12, 1924, and had a short run, closing later that same month. These two credits represent the entirety of his verified Broadway performances.

Film career

Move to Hollywood and sound film debut

In the late 1920s, James Donlan relocated from New York to Hollywood, California, along with his wife Theresa and their daughter Yolande. This move aligned with the industry's shift to sound films following the success of The Jazz Singer, allowing Donlan to transition from stage and silent film work to talkies. He made his sound film debut in the crime drama Big News (1929), portraying the character Deke. The same year, Donlan appeared in the comedy Wise Girls (1929) in the role of Ben Wade. These early talkie roles established his presence in Hollywood during the critical period when studios were adapting to synchronized sound, drawing on his prior experience in silent films and Broadway.

Character acting roles and output

James Donlan became a highly prolific character actor in Hollywood's early sound film period, appearing in 107 films between 1929 and 1939. Many of these were uncredited bit parts, reflecting the era's reliance on a large pool of supporting players to fill out studio productions. He was frequently cast in roles such as reporters, detectives, managers, bartenders, and other working-class or professional supporting characters, which suited the demands of ensemble-driven narratives in 1930s cinema. These parts emphasized his versatility in portraying everyday authority figures, minor officials, or background professionals rather than leading men. Donlan's output underscored a career built on steady employment and reliability in the studio system, prioritizing consistent work across numerous productions over pursuit of stardom or top billing. This prolific activity in character roles made him a familiar presence in films of the decade, though most remained small-scale contributions.

Notable performances and collaborations

James Donlan frequently appeared in supporting roles that placed him alongside prominent stars of the era, contributing memorable character work in comedy and mystery films. He shared scenes with Mae West in Belle of the Nineties (1934), portraying the character Kirby in a supporting capacity. Donlan also collaborated with Harold Lloyd in the comedy Professor Beware (1938), appearing uncredited as a reporter at the museum. In addition to these high-profile pairings, Donlan delivered named performances in several mystery pictures, often cast as police officials. He played Police Sgt. Ernest Heath in The Bishop Murder Case (1930), Detective Sergeant Howe in The Whole Town's Talking (1935), and Detective Kane in Murder on a Bridle Path (1936). These roles exemplified his steady presence in the character actor niche during Hollywood's early sound era.

Personal life

Marriage and family

James Donlan married singer Marie Therese Mollot (also known as Theresa Mollot or Therese) in 1918, and they had one daughter, actress Yolande Donlan, born on June 2, 1920, in New Jersey. Yolande's mother was a singer, and her father was an actor. The couple divorced on August 26, 1925. Through Yolande's marriages, Donlan was the father-in-law of director Val Guest and the ex-father-in-law of Philip Truex.

Death

Heart attack and final years

In his final years, James Donlan remained active as a prolific character actor in Hollywood, continuing to appear in films throughout 1938 without any reported slowdown in his work. His career ended abruptly when he suffered a fatal heart attack on June 7, 1938, in Hollywood, California, at the age of 49. The death was sudden, with no documented prolonged illness or prior health concerns noted in contemporary reports. Funeral services for the veteran Broadway and Hollywood performer were held shortly after his passing. Some of his final film appearances from that year were released posthumously.

Posthumous releases

James Donlan had several film appearances in 1938. No films featuring him were released in 1939 or in subsequent years.

Legacy through family

James Donlan is primarily remembered as the father of actress Yolande Donlan. Yolande grew up in Hollywood as the child of a character actor, where her father helped launch her own career by securing her a contract at MGM during her teenage years. She later authored an autobiography, Shake the Stars Down (1976), published in the United States as Third Time Lucky, offering a personal account of her early life and family experiences in the film industry. Beyond this family connection and his prolific supporting roles, Donlan has little documented independent legacy, with biographical details often tracing back to his daughter's perspective.
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