Hermon Reed Howes, a charismatic American silent-era leading man, transcended his early success to become a familiar figure in B-Westerns of the talkie period. Born in Washington, D.C. in 1900, Howes began his journey by serving as an apprentice seaman in the U.S. Navy during the final year of World War I.
Following his military service, Howes pursued higher education, graduating from the University of Utah and attending Harvard Graduate School. He then ventured into the world of entertainment, appearing in small parts in stock and vaudeville shows. His striking good looks and charisma eventually caught the attention of renowned artist J.C. Leyendecker, who chose him as a model for his iconic Arrow Collar ads.
Howes was one of several models to pose for Leyendecker, alongside notable actors John Barrymore, Fredric March, Brian Donlevy, and Jack Mulhall. However, he holds a unique distinction as the only future actor to model for Leyendecker, earning the nickname "the former Arrow Collar Man." Some sources have also speculated about a romantic relationship between Howes and Leyendecker, although this claim has been disputed and may have been confused with Charles Beach, the original Arrow Collar model.
Ben F. Wilson, an actor-director-producer, discovered Howes' potential and signed him to appear in films. Howes quickly rose to prominence as a leading man, sharing the screen with many of the most renowned actresses of his time. However, with the advent of sound, it became apparent that neither Howes' voice nor his dramatic abilities were well-suited for the new demands of a leading man.
As a result, Howes transitioned to supporting roles, often playing villains in action films and B-Westerns. He continued to work in these roles throughout the 1940s and 1950s before retiring due to ill health. His health declined further, and he passed away in 1964 at the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital, where he had been confined for several months. He was 64 years old at the time of his death.
Howes' final appearance was in an episode of the TV series Mister Ed in 1961. He is buried in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.
