Jameson Thomas (born Thomas Roland Jameson; 24 March 1888 – 10 January 1939) was an English film actor.[1] He appeared in more than 80 films between 1923 and 1939.

Jameson Thomas
Thomas in Extravagance (1930)
Born
Thomas Roland Jameson

(1888-03-24)24 March 1888
St George Hanover Square, London, England
Died10 January 1939(1939-01-10) (aged 50)
Resting placeHollywood Forever Cemetery
Other namesJamison Thomas
OccupationActor
Years active1923–1939
Spouse(s)Dorothy Dix
(m. 1916; div. 19??)

Biography

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He was born in St George Hanover Square, London.[2] On the stage from his early teens, Jameson first appeared as a "half-breed" boy in The Squaw Man. He made his screen debut in 1923 in the film Chu Chin Chow. In 1929, he starred in Piccadilly as Valentine Wilmot opposite Anna May Wong.[3] Piccadilly was a smash hit in England, where reviewers called it "by far the best production yet made at Elstree"[4] and "one of the finest films that has ever come from a British studio."[5] The film, however, only received a tepid response in the U.S. where it had a limited run.[6] Today, Piccadilly is recognised as an accomplished melodrama and one of the best films of the late British silent era.[7]

Thomas moved to Hollywood, appearing on the stage with Bebe Daniels in The Last of Mrs. Cheyney. He continued to appear in minor roles in various films until his death.[8] Thomas played "King" Westley, the fortune-hunting husband/fiancé of Claudette Colbert in Frank Capra's comedy It Happened One Night.[9] He died from tuberculosis in Sierra Madre, California.[1] He was interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood.

Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b McFarlane, Brian (16 May 2016). The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9781526111968 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Thomas, Jameson (1888-1939) Biography". Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  3. ^ "Piccadilly (1929) - Ewald André Dupont - Cast and Crew - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  4. ^ Daily Mirror, "Nightlife on Screen: Exotic Dancing and Fine Acting in Made-in-England Film," January 31, 1929.
  5. ^ Dundee Evening Telegraph, "A Memorable British Success," February 8, 1929.
  6. ^ New York Times, "The Screen," July 15, 1929.
  7. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Piccadilly (1929)". Screen Online.
  8. ^ "Jameson Thomas - Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  9. ^ "It Happened One Night (1934) - Frank Capra - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
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