Tom Conway played the iconic role of "The Falcon" in ten films of the series, besides starring in three Val Lewton horror classics, comedies, musicals, two Tarzan films, and even science fiction films.
Born in pre-Bolshevik Revolution Russia, Thomas Charles Sanders, aka Tom Conway, was part of a wealthy family who fled to England after the revolution, leaving most of their wealth behind. He attended private schools and eventually Brighton College.
Conway worked as an engineer and later sold safety glass before being discovered by a theater group representative, who persuaded him to join them. He worked for the Manchester Repertory Company and toured in over twenty-five plays, also appearing in BBC radio broadcasts.
His brother George persuaded him to come to Hollywood, and after a coin toss, Tom became Tom Conway. He began working at MGM, appearing in twelve films, including a bit part in Mrs. Miniver (1942).
George offered Tom his first big break, and Tom played the role of Tom Lawrence in The Falcon's Brother (1942),inheriting the role after George's character was eliminated. Conway played the role with great success in the next ten installments.
During that period, he also appeared in Val Lewton's Cat People (1942),I Walked with a Zombie (1943),and The Seventh Victim (1943),leading to two major film appearances, Universal's One Touch of Venus (1948) and Warner Brothers' Painting the Clouds with Sunshine (1951).
As the studio system collapsed, Tom's opportunities shrunk, and he found himself in smaller roles. He accepted the part of detective Mark Saber in the television series Mark Saber (1951) and made several mystery films in England.
Back in the US, he made guest appearances on TV shows Rawhide (1959),Adventures in Paradise (1959),and Perry Mason (1957). He also lent his voice to One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) and appeared regularly on The Betty Hutton Show (1959).
Conway's final appearance was an uncredited part in What a Way to Go! (1964). He suffered from failing eyesight, prolonged bouts with alcohol, and his second wife, Queenie Leonard, divorced him in 1963.
In his later years, Conway underwent cataract surgery and was discovered living in a $2-a-day room in a Venice, California flophouse. He received gifts and contributions, but eventually returned to the hospital, where he died in his girlfriend's bed.
