Person Biography:
Monroe Owsley, an American actor, was born on August 11, 1900, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was the son of Gertrude Owsley, a stage actress, who raised him after the death of his younger sister, Abbie, at just five months old. Monroe trained as an actor during his teenage years and began his career in stock and repertory theatre productions.
He eventually made it to Broadway in 1925 with the play "Young Blood." After a successful run in the Broadway production of "Holiday" in 1928, Monroe was invited to transition into films with the advent of sound. His first film role was in "The First Kiss" (1928) alongside Fay Wray, but he gained more recognition when he repeated his stage role in the film adaptation of "Holiday" (1930) starring Ann Harding.
Monroe was known for his distinctive features, including his high forehead, narrow eyes, and persistent sneer. He often played the role of the charming but weak third wheel in pre-Code romantic dramas and musicals opposite top female stars such as Barbara Stanwyck, Claudette Colbert, Gloria Swanson, Joan Crawford, Helen Twelvetrees, Clara Bow, Kay Francis, Bette Davis, and Carole Lombard.
However, his career took a downward turn after he repeated his role as Ned Seton in the 1930 film adaptation of "Holiday." He became typecast as the weakling son, charming cad, jellyfish husband, or debauched "Richie Rich" type, and his personal life struggled with addiction to drink, drugs, and gambling.
Monroe's life came to a tragic end on June 7, 1937, when he died of a fatal heart attack in a Southern California car accident, just hours after the death of superstar Jean Harlow. He was only 36 years old.
