Porter Hall: Movies & Box Office

Porter Hall, born as Clifford Porter Hall on September 19, 1888, was an acclaimed American character actor known for his versatile roles in several films during the 1930s and 1940s. His portrayals ranged from villains to comedic incompetent characters, cementing his mark in movie history. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to W.A. Hall who ran a cooperage business that unfortunately ended due to prohibition in the United States. After earning his degree from the University of Cincinnati, Hall juggled a job at the Fleischmann Company and his passion for theatre by directing and acting in small productions in Cleveland.

His acting career kicked off on Broadway with credits in multiple popular plays such as 'The Great Gatsby' (1926) and 'The Red Cat' (1934). Hall's first appearance in film was in the drama 'Secrets of Secretary' in 1931 and his last was in 1954's 'Return to Treasure Island'. Hall is perhaps best known for his memorable roles as a senator in 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington', an atheist in 'Going My Way', and as the title character's lawyer in 'The Thin Man'. Hall's undeniable talent was showcased in a diverse range of critically acclaimed films, earning him recognition on AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies, a list of the greatest American films. On October 6, 1953, Hall passed away from a heart attack in Los Angeles, California.