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Regis Toomey

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Regis Toomey
Born
John Francis Regis Toomey

(1898-08-13)August 13, 1898
DiedOctober 12, 1991(1991-10-12)(aged 93)
Alma materUniversity of Pittsburgh
OccupationActor
Years active1929–1987
Spouse
Kathryn Scott Toomey
(m.1925; died 1981)
Children2

John Francis Regis Toomey(August 13, 1898 – October 12, 1991) was an American film and television actor.[1]

Early life

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Born inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania,he was one of four children of Francis X. and Mary Ellen Toomey, and attendedPeabody High School.He initially pondered a law career, but acting won out and he established himself as a musical stage performer.

Career

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TrailerforCry Danger(1951)

Educated in dramatics at theUniversity of Pittsburgh,where he became a brother ofSigma Chi,Toomey began as a stock actor and eventually made it toBroadway.[2]Toomey was a singer on stage until throat problems (acutelaryngitis) while touring in Europe stopped that aspect of his career. In 1929, he appeared in his first films, starting out as a leading man, but finding more success as acharacter actor,sanshistoupee.

In 1941, Toomey appeared inYou're in the Army Now,WithJane Wyman.

In 1956, Toomey was cast as the Reverend Arnold Grumm in the episode "Lifeline" of the religionanthology series,Crossroads.Toomey appeared in a number of episodes ofRichard Diamond, Private Detectiveas Lt. McGough.

About this time, he appeared on the NBC Western series,The Tall Man,starringBarry SullivanandClu Gulager.He also made two guest appearances onPerry Mason,including the role of murderer Sam Crane in the 1960 episode, "The Case of the Loquacious Liar", and as Andy Grant in the 1965 episode "The Case of the 12th Wildcat".

From 1963 to 1966, Toomey was one of the stars of theABCcrime drama,Burke's Law,starringGene Barry.He played Sergeant Les Hart, one of thedetectivesassisting the murder investigations of the millionaire police captain Amos Burke. Toomey also appeared in the CBS western series,Rawhideepisode "Incident of the Tinkers Dam" as TJ Wishbone. He guest-starred on dozens of television programs, including the popular "Shady Deal at Sunny Acres"episode of ABC'sMaverick.

In 1968, after the death ofBea Benaderet,who played Kate Bradley, Toomey played a transitional role in the CBS seriesPetticoat Junction.Appearing as Dr. Stuart, who cared for the citizens of Hooterville, the character decided to take on a partner in his medical practice. Dr. Janet Craig, played byJune Lockhart,was introduced as the new female lead for the show in the episode "The Lady Doctor".

Toomey died at age 93 on October 12, 1991, while in residence at theMotion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital,inWoodland Hills, California.[3]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^Flynn, Bob (January 3, 1986)."Regis Toomey's infectious grin brings back memories".Evansville Press.RetrievedAugust 6,2023.
  2. ^Cohen, Harold (October 16, 1963)."The Emergence of Regis Toomey".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.RetrievedAugust 6,2023.
  3. ^"Actor Regis Toomey dies at age 93".Eugene Register-Guard. October 14, 1991.RetrievedAugust 6,2023.
  4. ^Merrick, Mollie (December 1, 1929)."Movies and Movie People".Evening Star.RetrievedAugust 6,2023.
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