Hugh Marlowe

Hugh Marlowe, born Hugh Herbert Hipple on January 30, 1911, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, emerged as a versatile American actor whose career spanned film, television, stage, and radio. After early years at the Pasadena Playhouse, he adopted the name Hugh Marlowe and made his Broadway debut in Arrest That Woman (1936), later appearing in productions such as Lady in the Dark and Laura. His transition to screen began with the modest picture Brilliant Marriage (1936), but it was his steady work for 20th Century Fox in classics like Twelve O'Clock High (1949), All About Eve (1950), and the iconic sci‑fi film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) that cemented his reputation as a dependable supporting lead. Marlowe's voice also found a home in radio, where he portrayed Jim Curtis on Brenda Curtis and the titular Ellery Queen in the first broadcast version of the mystery series. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s he balanced film roles—appearing in Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) and Seven Days in May (1964)—with a prolific television presence that included multiple guest spots on Perry Mason, a memorable turn on The Andy Griffith Show, and a regular role as Jim Matthews on the daytime drama Another World from 1969 until his death.

Beyond his screen work, Marlowe’s personal life reflected the era’s Hollywood interconnections. He married three actresses—Edith Atwater (1941‑1946), K.T. Stevens (1946‑1968) with whom he had two sons, and Rosemary Torri (1968‑1982) who bore his third child, Hugh Michael II. A descendant of early American settlers, including Mayflower passenger Myles Standish, his lineage added a layer of historical intrigue to his public persona. Marlowe’s career, marked by consistent performances across mediums, concluded with his sudden death from a heart attack on May 2 1982 in New York City, leaving behind a legacy of reliable, understated talent that continues to be appreciated by classic film enthusiasts.