Wendell Corey
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
Dependable lead and supporting player who usually played solid, sober and sometimes cynical characters. After scoring a triumph on Broadway in Elmer Rice's "Dream Girl" (1945), Corey was signed by producer Hal Wallis, and over the next two decades appeared as combination servant-strongarm henchman to gambler John Hodiak in Corey's debut film, "Desert Fury" (1947), as a homicide detective opposite Loretta Young in the thriller, "The Accused" (1948), as an exhausted mobster in "Any Number Can Play" (1949) and as Frank James in "The Great Missouri Raid" (1951). He later moved into politics, serving as the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Screen Actors Guild and, lastly, as a member of the Santa Monica City Council.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1934
Amateur stage debut with Springfield Repertory Players in "Street Scene"
1935
Professional stage debut
1942
Broadway debut in "Comes the Revelation"
1945
After success in Broadway production, "Dream Girl", signed by producer Hal Wallis to film contract
1947
Film debut, "Desert Fury"
1965
Elected to Santa Monica City Council
1966
Lost bid to become Republican nominee for congressional seat