Erik Rhodes, a charismatic actor with a flair for the dramatic, made his mark on Hollywood with his slicked-back hair and thin moustache. Born Ernest Sharpe in Oklahoma, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma, where he won a scholarship to study acting in New York. Rhodes' early career in theatre began with a modest eight-line role in the 1928 play "A Most Immoral Lady," before he went on to star in two musicals, showcasing his impressive baritone voice.
A master of accents and dialects, Rhodes specialized in playing the role of the continental charmer, often taking on flamboyant and eccentric characters. His breakout role in "Top Hat" (1935) as dressmaker Alberto Beddini cemented his status as a Hollywood star, with his iconic line "All my life I have promised my dresses I'd take them to Italy...and you must be in them" becoming a memorable quote.
Rhodes' subsequent roles in films such as "A Night at the Ritz" (1935) and "Criminal Lawyer" (1937) solidified his reputation as a versatile and talented actor. His performance in "A Night at the Ritz" as would-be master chef Leopold Jaynos earned him praise from critics, with Andre Sennwald of The New York Times noting that Rhodes' "psychopath with a yearning for culinary immortality" brought "polite lunacy" to the film.
Throughout the 1930s, Rhodes made films at RKO, often playing excitable Europeans, including Henri Saffron in "Woman Chases Man" (1937),Frank Rochet in "Old Man Rhythm" (1935),Tony Bandini in "Criminal Lawyer" (1937),and Spaghetti Nadzio in "Music for Madame" (1937). As the decade drew to a close, Rhodes' screen career began to wane, and he eventually returned to Broadway, where he starred in the long-running production of "Can Can" as a Parisian bon vivant.
After his wartime service with U.S. Air Force Intelligence, Rhodes resumed his acting career, eventually retiring from the spotlight. Despite his relatively short time in the spotlight, Erik Rhodes left a lasting impact on Hollywood, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and a reputation as one of the most charming and talented actors of his time.
