GALENA-BORN FILM ACTOR STRUCK IT BIG IN HOLLYWOOD WITH EXCITING CAREER

Galena's Joel Allen on the Big Screen

Joel Allen was born on April 3, 1913 in Galena, Kansas. He died at age 72 on September 22, 1985, in Los Angeles, California.

He is best remembered for his portrayal of the staunch Deputy Bates in "Man from the Black Hills" (1952). Born Joel Edgar Allen, Jr., he was raised within a traditional farming family. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, upon returning to civilian life following the end of the war, he settled in California and under the G.I. Bill he attained his degree in theatrical arts from the UCLA and began his career as a leading man on the stage in stock companies. Upon being discovered by director Edward Ludwig during a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, he was so impressed by his dark good looks, manly physique, and baritone voice, that he took notice of his potential and arranged for him to begin a career in the film industry beginning with him appearing under his supervision per a supporting role in "The Fighting Seabees" (1944). From there, he would go on to flourish as a notable character actor appearing in over 45 features; often typecast as husbands, fathers, relatives, playboys, mechanics, technicians, sergeants, soldiers, military men, lieutenants, pilots, blue-collared guys, clergymen, photographers, policemen, detectives, reporters, and businessmen. He appeared in such feature films as "Ladies Courageous" (1944), "The Story of Dr. Wassell" (1944), "Objective, Burma!" (1945), "God Is My Co-Pilot" (1945), "Shortest Way Home" (1946), "Fighter Squadron" (1948), "White Heat" (1949), "Beyond the Forest" (1949), "Sunset Blvd." (1950), "Dial 1119" (1950), "Three Guys Named Mike" (1951), "Strangers on a Train" (1951), "The Maverick" (1952), "The Man from Bitter Ridge" (1955), "Cell 2455, Death Row" (1955), and "Red Line 7000" (1965). On television, he appeared in numerous guest spots on such syndicated sitcoms as "Adventures of Wild Bill Hickock," "Your Favorite Story," and "The Adventures of Kit Carson." During his career, he was a member of the Screen Actors Guild, was supportive of the Motion Picture and Television Fund, was a regular parishioner of the Baptist church, was a member of the Hollywood Republican Committee, presided on his local charters of the American Red Cross and the Boy Scouts, was a notable wood craftsman, had been the celebrity spokesman for John Deere and Autolight Spark Plugs, had been a theatrical instructor for the Pasadena Playhouse, was the official stand-in for actors John Wayne and John Ireland, and he was cited as being "Hollywood's Most Steadfast Supporting Actor" per gossip columnist Louella Parsons. Following his 1965 retirement, Allen, who never married nor had any children, spent the remainder of his life being involved in charitable and religious ventures until his death.

Bio by: Lowell Thurgood