John Garrick | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Reginald Dandy (later stage name, John Garrick), published in 1926. | |
| Born | Reginald Dandy 31 August 1902 |
| Died | 22 October 1966(1966-10-22) (aged 64) San Francisco, California, United States |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1929–1939 |
John Garrick (bornReginald Dandy; 31 August 1902 – 22 October 1966) was a British stage and screenactor.[1]
Born inBrighton, England, Dandy attended that city's schools andBrighton College.[2]
Dandy made his first stage appearance at the age of ten inA Midsummer Night's Dream. Dandy found employment in a bank after leaving school, but after a few months he left "and turned to the more glamorous life on the stage".[3] He worked up an originalvaudeville act which he played at amateur shows. His vaudeville act was taken up by a theatrical manager and was toured throughout Great Britain. Dandy was then signed for a feature role in a revue playing at the Queen's Theatre.[2]
Dandy was engaged to play the male lead inJ. C. Williamson's Australian production of the operetta.Rose-Marie which opened in Sydney in May 1926.[3] He performed inRose-Marie for two years, with seasons throughout Australia and New Zealand. The play's run included an initial record-breaking season of forty-eight weeks in Sydney.[2] AfterRose-Marie Dandy took on leading roles inThe Desert Song,Katja, the Dancer andPrince Charming.[3]
In 1929 Dandy travelled to America. He arrived in California and found a part as the lead in a play calledThe Wishing Well which toured the West Coast.[2] In Los Angeles the play closed after only four nights. However officials fromFox Films had seen the show and engaged the young actor for the role of the stage prince inMarried in Hollywood, directed by Marcel Silver.[3] Dandy adopted the stage name 'John Garrick' for the role, to avoid confusion with the established actorReginald Denny.[4]
In 1932, Garrick returned to England and starred in numerous English films.
John Garrick died inSan Francisco, California in October 1966, aged 64 years.
