Alan Marshal Biography

Handsome, sophisticated, mustachioed Australian actor Alan Marshal launched his screen career in 1936, appearing in two films, The Garden of Allah and After the Thin Man. Marshal is frequently cast as witty, daring heroes. Notable film appearances include The Conquest (1937), in which he appeared opposite Greta Garbo, and The White Cliffs of Dover (1943) with Irene Dunne. Before coming to the U.S. in the mid-'30s, Marshal worked on the Australian stage. In Hollywood, he contracted with David O. Selznick and MGM, but frequently was loaned out to appear in other studios' productions. A nervous condition prevented Marshal from appearing in films throughout much of the 1940s. During that period, Marshal returned to stage work. He made his final film appearances in the late '50s. Marshal, who at one time had been compared to Ronald Colman, died on the Chicago stage while working opposite Mae West in Sextet. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi