Michael Whalen, a debonair and charismatic leading man, was born Joseph Shovlin on June 30, 1902, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Despite his striking looks, Whalen's features were offset by a slightly prominent Romanesque nose. As a child, he received piano lessons, but his talent never developed.
Whalen's early life took an unexpected turn when he was hired by the Woolworths department store chain and worked his way up to manager by the age of 23. However, he soon became disillusioned with his job and resigned to pursue his passion for acting. During an extensive period of travel, Whalen stopped in New York City and became hooked on acting after catching a Broadway show.
He apprenticed and made his stage debut with Eva Le Gallienne's repertory company. To make ends meet, Whalen worked as an artist's model, including for the renowned James Montgomery Flagg. His good looks and charming personality earned him a spot as an artist's model, which allowed him to make a living while pursuing his acting career.
In 1933, Whalen moved to Hollywood and began his career on the L.A. stage. He appeared in various productions, including "When Knighthood Was in Flower" and "Common Flesh." His performances caught the attention of Twentieth Century-Fox talent agents, who offered him a contract.
Whalen made his film debut with a second-lead role in Professional Soldier (1935) starring Victor McLaglen. He went on to appear in a string of films, often playing virile and flashy roles, including Hollywood producers and sports editor types. He also starred alongside several Hollywood lovelies, including Alice Faye, Gloria Stuart, Claire Trevor, and June Lang.
In the late 1930s, Whalen began to appear in a series of murder mystery films, including Time Out for Murder (1938),While New York Sleeps (1938),and Inside Story (1939). He starred alongside love interest Jean Rogers in these films.
However, by the early 1940s, Whalen's leading man career began to falter. He turned to Broadway for two years, starring in "Ten Little Indians" (1944). He then toured with the show on the road before returning to film.
In the 1950s, Whalen appeared less frequently on film and more in character roles. He found success on television, becoming a regular fixture on various shows. His last film appearance was an unbilled bit in Elmer Gantry (1960),and he made his final television appearance on an episode of My Three Sons (1960).
Whalen was once engaged to sultry actress Ilona Massey, but the couple never made it to the altar. He remained a bachelor and lived with his mother until her death in the 1960s. Whalen enjoyed collecting antiques and gardening in his free time.
Sadly, Whalen passed away on January 27, 1974, at the age of 71, due to complications from bronchial pneumonia. Despite his relatively short career, Whalen left a lasting impact on the film industry and remains a beloved figure among classic Hollywood fans.
