Henry Wadsworth (June 18, 1903 – December 5, 1974) was an American actor best known for appearing in Applause (1929), The Thin Man (1934), and Mark of the Vampire (1935).
Joseph Henry Wadsworth was born on June 18, 1903 to John Gray Wadsworth and Ida Power Wadsworth, who were married in 1894. Henry Wadsworth's ancestors first arrived in Hartford, Connecticut from England in 1632. He was the grandson of William Henry Wadsworth, who was a well-known lawyer, orator, and congressman.
Wadsworth attended the University of Kentucky after graduating from Maysville High School in 1921.[1]
He enrolled in Carnegie Institute of Technology's drama school before starting his acting career.
Wadsworth made his first appearance in film in the title role of Howard Lindsay's Tommy in late 1927,[2] following which he went on to appear in films like Applause, made under Paramount production. The film also marked Helen Morgan's debut.[3][self-published source?]
He played minor roles in Operator 13 (alongside Marion Davies) and in Fast and Loose before starring in W.S. Van Dyke's The Thin Man. He also appeared in The Voice of Bugle Ann, This Side of Heaven, All-Legit Cast, Mark of the Vampire, Sitting on the Moon, and Dr. Kildare Goes Home.
Wadsworth was cast in The Big Broadcast series' The Big Broadcast of 1936.
He retired from acting in the late 1950s; his last appearance was in Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Happy Time alongside Leora Dana and Eva Gabor. He joined the US Navy during World War II and remained there for two and a half years.[1]
Wadsworth died on December 5, 1974 at St. Luke's Hospital, New York City, at the age of 71.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Applause | Tony | |
| 1930 | Slightly Scarlet | Sandy Weyman | |
| 1930 | Fast and Loose | Bertie Lenox | |
| 1933 | Luxury Liner | Fritz | |
| 1933 | Soldiers of the Storm | Dodie | |
| 1933 | Hold the Press | Frankie White | |
| 1934 | This Side of Heaven | Hal | |
| 1934 | The Show-Off | Joe Fisher | |
| 1934 | The Thin Man | Tommy | |
| 1934 | Operator 13 | John Pelham | |
| 1934 | Dangerous Corner | Gordon Whitehouse | |
| 1934 | Evelyn Prentice | Chester Wylie | |
| 1935 | West Point of the Air | Lieutenant Pettis | |
| 1935 | Mark of the Vampire | Fedor Vincente | |
| 1935 | The Big Broadcast of 1936 | Smiley | |
| 1936 | Ceiling Zero | Tay Lawson | |
| 1936 | The Voice of Bugle Ann | Bake Royster | |
| 1936 | Sitting on the Moon | Charlie Lane | |
| 1938 | Doctor Rhythm | Otis Eaton (The Drunk) | |
| 1940 | Dr. Kildare Goes Home | Collins | |
| 1943 | Silver Skates | Tom | |
| 1945 | Secret Agent X-9 | Jack Roberts | Serial, Uncredited, (final film role) |