Herbert Rudley, a native of Philadelphia, abruptly terminated his studies at Temple University after completing his second year, embarking on a journey to New York City where he secured a prestigious scholarship with Eva Le Gallienne's esteemed Civic Repertory Theatre. He made his inaugural stage appearance in 1928, marking the beginning of a long and illustrious career, during which he would go on to participate in numerous productions, including the critically acclaimed "Macbeth" alongside Judith Anderson and Maurice Evans, where he portrayed the pivotal role of Macduff.
Rudley would later reprise his stage performance in the 1940 Hollywood adaptation of "Abe Lincoln in Illinois," a film that would showcase his remarkable range and versatility as a thespian. In addition to his extensive work in theatrical films, he appeared in a total of twenty-one cinematic productions, as well as several made-for-television programs, commencing his television career in 1950. Notably, he enjoyed a two-year tenure as the husband of the incomparable Eve Arden on NBC's popular sitcom "The Mothers-in-Law."
