John Wray, a renowned American character actor, hailed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and enjoyed a flourishing career primarily during the 1930s.
Born John Griffith Malloy, Wray's theatrical background led him to appear regularly on Broadway, where he honed his craft.
As the late 1920s ushered in the transition from silent films to sound films, many stage actors, including Wray, made the journey to Hollywood, hoping to leverage their acting experience in the new medium.
Wray's film debut came in 1929 with "New York Nights," where he played the main villain, racketeer Joe Prividi, a role that helped establish him as a heavy.
Throughout his career, Wray took on notable roles, including the sadistic drill instructor Himmelstoss in "All Quiet On The Western Front" (1930),gangster Morton Bradstreet in "The Czar of Broadway," con-artist Frog in "The Miracle Man" (1932),the starving farmer in "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936),and prison warden Wheeler in "You Only Live Once" (1937).
As his career began to decline by the late 1930s, Wray's roles became increasingly limited, often relegated to uncredited extras.
Despite this, Wray continued acting until 1940, with his final known role being a bit part in the screwball comedy "The Doctor Takes a Wife" (1940).
John Wray passed away in April 1940, at the age of 53.
