Henry Hull was a renowned actor who was born on October 13, 1890, in Louisville, Kentucky, to a drama critic. Initially, he intended to become an engineer, but his passion for acting led him to make his Broadway debut in "Green Stockings" in 1911. Two years later, he appeared in "Believe Me, Xantippe" alongside John Barrymore.
However, Hull's acting career was temporarily put on hold when he quit the stage to go prospecting for gold, utilizing his skills as a mining engineer. When he failed to strike gold, he returned to acting, appearing in "The Man Who Came Back" in 1916.
Hull made his film debut at World Pictures in 1917, starring as Aleksandr Kerensky in "Rasputin, the Black Monk" and later appeared in the second film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" in 1918. He continued to appear in films throughout the 1920s and 1930s, but his primary focus remained on the stage.
Hull's breakthrough role came when he played the title character in the Broadway production of "Tobacco Road," which opened in 1933 and ran for eight years, becoming the longest-running drama in Broadway history. He also appeared in the 1934 film "Great Expectations," playing Magwitch.
Hull's most iconic role, however, was in the 1935 film "Werewolf of London," in which he played the title character. His tall, slender frame and rich, cultured voice made him a sought-after supporting player in Hollywood's Golden Age.
Hull's performances were often characterized as mannered, and his acting style went out of favor after the death of John Barrymore. However, his unique voice and mannerisms were well-suited to certain roles, such as the obnoxious millionaire in "Lifeboat" (1944).
Hull's greatest success came on Broadway, where he played Erskine Caldwell's Jeeter in "Tobacco Road" and Maxwell Anderson's "The Masque of Kings." He continued to appear on stage and screen throughout his career, with his last film appearance being in "The Chase" in 1966.
Hull was married to actress Juliet Fremont, with whom he had a son, Henry Hull Jr., who followed in his father's footsteps and had a minor career on Broadway.
