Tommy Noonan, born Thomas Patrick Noone, was a comedy performer who made a name for himself in experimental theater alongside his half-brother, actor John Ireland, who went on to have a successful career.
Noonan began his career in the early 1940s by launching his own repertory theatre in his home state, but his career was interrupted when he joined the Navy during World War II. After his discharge, he returned to his acting career.
He eventually made his way to New York, where he appeared on Broadway before being signed by RKO to appear in post-war films. He relocated to the West Coast and began working in films, where he developed a reputation as a wry, nerdy comedian.
Noonan's most notable roles were as Marilyn Monroe's boyfriend in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and as Judy Garland's friend in "A Star Is Born". He also appeared in several B-grade comedy films, including "The Rookie" and "Swingin' Along", which he produced and co-starred in alongside his comedy partner, Peter Marshall.
Despite the success he had in films, Noonan's career began to decline in the 1960s. He produced and co-starred in several low-budget films, including "Promises... Promises!" and "3 Nuts in Search of a Bolt", which were met with negative reviews.
Noonan's final producing effort was the film "Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers", which was released in 1967. He died five days before his 47th birthday in 1968 due to a brain tumor, leaving behind his wife, Pokie, and four children.
It's worth noting that Tommy Noonan is not related to the actor-writer-director-composer Tom Noonan, who was born in 1951.
