Regis Toomey in 1930

This photo of Regis Toomey, by Dyar, is another in the 1930 book Stars of the Photoplay.  The book is fascinating for two points: first, to discover who was considered either at the top or up and coming in 1930 in the film industry; and second, because there seemed to be no distinction, at least in these pages, between star and supporting players.  They were deemed equally important as far as their fan base was concerned.

Regis Toomey is quoted as once saying that he preferred the life of a character actor because their careers were longer, and he certainly proved that point with something like 200 movies and a few decades of TV appearances in his resume.

The caption above erroneously states he was born in California (he was born in Pennsylvania) and does not note that he apparently gave up singing early on due to severe laryngitis that threatened a singing career.  Nevertheless, here he is in 1930 at 32 years old with the whole world ahead of him.

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Jacqueline T. Lynch is the author of Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star. and Movies in Our Time - Hollywood Mirrors and Mimics the Twentieth Century and Hollywood Fights Fascism.  Her latest book is Christmas in Classic Films. TO JOIN HER READERS' GROUP - follow this link for a free book as a thank-you for joining.