Edward Ashley

Edward Ashley, born Edward Montague Hussey Cooper on 12 August 1906 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, was a remarkably versatile actor whose career spanned nearly six decades across three continents. The son of a Master Mariner and Royal Naval Reserve lieutenant, Cooper spent his early years shuttling between Australia and England, receiving a formal education in England before returning to his homeland to begin his stage work in the late 1920s. After a brief but fruitful period performing on Australian stages, he moved back to England in 1930, where he quickly transitioned to film, appearing in early British productions such as The Beggar Student (1931) and Men of Steel (1932). In 1940, seeking broader horizons, he relocated to Hollywood and adopted the professional name Edward Ashley to avoid confusion with another actor named Edward Cooper, a change that would become his lasting screen identity. His breakout American role came as the rakish George Wickham in the 1940 MGM adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, cementing his reputation as a charismatic antagonist. During World War II he served as a corporal in the U.S. Air Force, reflecting his deepening ties to his adopted country, and after the war he signed a contract with Republic Pictures, appearing in a string of genre pictures ranging from adventure to comedy. The 1950s saw Ashley return to the stage before re‑emerging on screen in notable films like Elephant Walk (1954) and The Court Jester (1955), while also cultivating a memorable television presence as “Nobby Ned Wingate” on Maverick. Throughout his extensive filmography—encompassing over sixty MGM films and numerous supporting roles—his performances were characterized by a blend of aristocratic poise and understated humor. He married three times, notably to actress Renee Osterman Torres, and fathered three children, maintaining a private family life that contrasted with his public persona. Ashley continued to work well into his eighties, concluding his screen career with a turn as Professor Sutherland in the cult classic Waxwork (1988); he passed away on 5 May 2000 in San Diego, California, leaving behind a legacy of trans‑national cinematic contributions.