Regis Toomey

Stars

Born Aug. 13, 1898 in Pittsburgh, PA

Died Oct. 12, 1991 in Motion Picture and Television Country House, CA

Regis Toomey appeared in more than 200 movies during his long career, including such films as "Northwest Mounted Police," "Dive Bomber" and "The Big Sleep."

He was best known for his man-of-action roles and for taking part in what was billed as the longest on-screen kiss in Hollywood history, a 185-second embrace with Jane Wyman in "You're in the Army Now" (1941).

With his Irish grin and tough-guy demeanor, Toomey often played the victim of screen violence. In fact, early in his career, he was "killed" so often that he moodily wondered if he shouldn't be voted the "morticians' man of the year."

"I was Danny McGann, an undercover homicide cop who had gotten friendly with the crooks," Toomey recalled, describing one of his screen personas during a 1963 interview. "It was a good part — until the crooks shot me. This was the first of a long series of death scenes. The trouble was that in each succeeding picture I got knocked off sooner, so the roles were growing smaller."

In 1928, Toomey appeared with Chester Morris in "Alibi," the first all-talking gangster melodrama. Three years later, he appeared opposite Clara Bow in "Kick In," which was Bow's first sound movie.

Among Toomey's later credits were "Spellbound," "The Bishop's Wife," "Show Boat," "Warlock," "The Mighty Joe Young," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "Peter Gunn" and "The Carey Treatment."

Toomey also appeared in many television series, including "Dante's Inferno," "Hey, Mulligan," "Shannon" and "Petticoat Junction."

—Times Staff in the Los Angeles Times Oct. 12, 1991

Related stars

Barbara Stanwyck
Costar
Clara Bow
Costar
George M. Cohan
Professional
Jane Wyman
Costar
Ronald Reagan
Friend
Alfred Hitchcock
Director

Points of interest

Three thoughts about Regis Toomey

“

I have lots of memories of my uncle, Regis Toomey (full name: John Francis Regis Toomey). My mother was much younger than her three siblings, and was born in Pittsburgh in 1919. The family moved to Upland, CA in 1921, but my uncle was an adult by then and involved in his career. He was "discovered" at the age of 17 while playing tennis by a director's wife. He did lots of work on Broadway and his first movie was Alibi in 1929. Some of his best friends were Oscar Hammerstein Jr. (they were best men at each others' weddings), Fred MacMurray, Dick Powell, Joe E. Brown, Mary Martin, Loretta Young, Jane Wyman and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Uncle Regis and President Reagan became good friends when Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild. They remained friends until my uncle's death in 1991. My uncle recited the Gettysburgh Address at Reagan's Inauguration in 1981. I was amazed at how President Reagan kept up with my uncle and his wife, Kathryn (Scott), while he was president. If ever my uncle or aunt were sick, they would get flowers or a note, telegram, phone call or visit from President Reagan. (We don't know how he found out they were sick.) When Aunt Kathryn died, President Reagan wrote a wonderful, heart-felt letter on White House stationery that my uncle had framed. My aunt Kathryn was married to Uncle Regis for 56 years and he absolutely adored her. He was so kind and caring to her as she was in poor health in her later years. Aunt Kathryn was a dancer and choreographer. Her claim to fame was choreographing Rose Marie in Paris. Uncle Regis had a really cool gold-painted mug given to him by John Wayne for his role in the "High and the Mighty." On the mug there was a picture of the airplane from the film, the film title and the inscription: "Thanks, Rege. From the Duke." Uncle Regis definitely deserves a star on Hollywood Blvd. He was an actor his entire adult life, until retirement, and actors like him did not get paid much money back then. He was a star in a lot of "B" movies in the 1930s, but mostly a character actor after that. He was contracted to Paramount Studios for many years, and others studios, also. He did a lot of TV work toward the end of his career. One of the jokes they used to do on the Laugh-In Show in the 1960's was: "If Regis Toomey stuck his finger in a socket, what would his name be? Answer: Sock-it to me!" He was not a rich man, but a very generous man. I first remember visiting my uncle and aunt (they had no children) when they lived on Sunset Plaza Drive in the Hollywood Hills in the 1960's. At some point, Regis Philbin was one of their neighbors. I spent a lot more time with my uncle in the late 1970's and the 1980's. Despite his age, he loved being around "young people" and had lots of much younger friends.

” — Veronica James, March 24, 2012 at 1:12 a.m.

“

I am shocked to hear that Regis Toomey does not have a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. This fine actor worked with everybody from the golden era of Hollywood. He was great in "Dive Bomber" with Errol Flynn, a convincing villain to Fred Mac Murray's hero in "Forrest Ranger", the kind average Joe in "Meet John Doe" with Gary Cooper. The list is great performances and his longevity in the entertainment business is incredible. In the 1960's he was great with Diane Carroll in "Julia" on NBC. He was equally convincing whether playing the heavy or the kindly man on the street. Popular and a success on several levels it is right that he should be so honored. There have been so many honored that were not as memorable. It is a disappointment that should be corrected. I would personally pay the costs if that was the only issue involved.

” — Stephen Dickson, January 12, 2015 at 5:03 p.m.

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