John Darrow (born Harry Simpson; 17 July 1907 – 24 February 1980) was an American actor of the late silent and early talking film eras. He is the uncle of actress Barbara Darrow.[citation needed]
Biography
Born in Leonia, New Jersey in 1907,[2] Darrow began acting in theater with a stock company, right after graduating high school.[3] Shortly after, he would begin his film career with a featured role in the 1927 silent film, High School Hero.[4] After several films with featured roles, he was cast as the lead in 1931's The Lady Refuses, which co-stars Betty Compson and was directed by George Archainbaud.[5] He would spend the next five years in leading man or featured roles, before retiring from acting in 1935. He would appear in five films that year, although four of them were produced in 1934. His final screen appearance would be in a supporting role in Annapolis Farewell.[6]
Although he retired from acting, he did not leave the film industry and instead continued on to become a very successful agent.[2] From the 1930s to the early 1950s, he was in a relationship with (future) film director Charles Walters.[7]