What's After the Movie
Lionel Atwill
Lionel Atwill was a distinguished stage and screen actor whose career spanned the early twentieth‑century theatrical world and the golden age of Hollywood horror. Born on 1 March 1885 in Croydon, London, he initially studied architecture before making his professional debut at the Garrick Theatre in 1904, quickly establishing himself as a versatile performer. By 1918 he had become a star on Broadway, where his repertoire included classics such as Hedda Gabler, The Wild Duck and Caesar and Cleopatra, and his flamboyant stage presence earned him leading roles in both dramas and comedies. After emigrating to the United States he transitioned to film, appearing in his first screen picture in 1919 and soon becoming a familiar face in the horror canon, notably as the one‑armed Inspector Krogh in Son of Frankenstein (1939) and as Professor Moriarty in Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1943). His filmography also features memorable performances opposite Marlene Dietrich in The Devil Is a Woman (1935) and a rare comedic turn in Ernst Lubitsch’s classic To Be or Not to Be (1942). Atwill’s personal life was marked by four marriages—first to Phyllis Relph (1913‑1919), then to actress Elsie Mackay (1920‑1928), followed by Louise Cromwell Brooks (1930‑1943) and finally Mary Paula Pruter (1944‑his death)—and two sons, John Arthur and Lionel Anthony. His later years were clouded by a high‑profile scandal when he was indicted for perjury after admitting to showing lewd films at his beach house; although the conviction was later vacated, the incident effectively ended his Hollywood career under the Hays Code. Lionel Atwill died on 22 April 1946 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, from lung cancer and pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy as one of the era’s most reliably intimidating character actors whose contributions to genre cinema continue to be celebrated.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Lionel Atwill, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Lionel Atwill rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Lionel Alfred William Atwill
Born: Croydon, London, England
Citizenship: British, American
Birthday: March 1, 1885
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1904-1946
Children: 2
Spouses: Phyllis Relph, Elsie Mackay, Louise Cromwell Brooks, Mary Paula Pruter
External Links and Streaming Options
Explore more about on trusted external platforms like Metacritic, TMDb, Wikipedia or Rotten Tomatoes. Find additional details, reviews, and related content to deepen your understanding.
Movies Featuring Lionel Atwill
Captain Blood
Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook
The Horror of It All
The Age of Innocence
Nana
Captain America
Fog Island
Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man
The Ghost of Frankenstein
The Solitaire Man
The Great Profile
Doctor X
Stamboul Quest
Charlie Chan in Panama
Doom of Dracula
Crime, Inc.
Beggars in Ermine
House of Dracula
Lancer Spy
Lost City of the Jungle
The Gorilla
Son of Frankenstein
The Great Garrick
Man-Made Monster
The Secret of Madame Blanche
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head
Lady in the Death House
One More River
Rendezvous
House of Frankenstein
Mystery of the Wax Museum
Mark of the Vampire
Balalaika
The Devil Is a Woman
The Murder Man
Cairo
The Vampire Bat
Three Comrades
The Sphinx
The Son of Frankenstein
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx
The Great Waltz
Night Monster
Pardon My Sarong
Boom Town
The Sun Never Sets
The Song of Songs
Secret of the Blue Room
Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
The Wrong Road
Absolute Quiet
Charlie Chan’s Murder Cruise
The Horror Show
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
Johnny Apollo
The Road Back
The High Command
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Lionel Atwill, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1944
Captain America
Cyrus Maldor
Lady in the Death House
Charles Finch
House of Frankenstein
Inspector Arnz
1942
The Ghost of Frankenstein
Dr. Bohmer
Cairo
Teutonic Gentleman
The Strange Case of Doctor Rx
Dr. Fish
Night Monster
Dr. King
Pardon My Sarong
Varnoff
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
Professor Moriarty
1940
The Great Profile
Dr. Bruce
Charlie Chan in Panama
Cliveden Compton
Boom Town
Harry Compton
Charlie Chan’s Murder Cruise
Dr. Suderman
Johnny Apollo
Jim McLaughlin
1939
The Gorilla
Walter Stevens
Son of Frankenstein
Inspector Krogh
Balalaika
Professor Marakov
The Sun Never Sets
Hugo Zurof
Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation
Prof. Roger Chauncey Hildebrand
1937
Lancer Spy
Col. Fenwick
The Great Garrick
M. Beaumarchais
The Wrong Road
Mike Roberts
The Road Back
Prosecutor
The High Command
Maj. Gen. Sir John Sangye
1935
Captain Blood
Rendezvous
Maj. William Brennan
Mark of the Vampire
Inspector Neumann
The Devil Is a Woman
Capt. Don Pasqual 'Pasqualito' Costelar
The Murder Man
Captain Cole
1934
The Age of Innocence
Julius Beaufort
Nana
Colonel André Muffat
Stamboul Quest
Herr Von Sturm
Beggars in Ermine
John 'Flint' Dawson aka John Daniels
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head
Henry Dumont
One More River
Brough
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
Movie Collections and Curated Lists
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.