Edward Mayne Ellis (November 12, 1870 – July 26, 1952) was an American actor. He played the title role in The Thin Man, as well as in A Man to Remember.

Career

He made his first stage appearance in 1879 in Chicago. He was an actor, playwright and producer on Broadway before going into films. His first adult performance was in Mary and John in 1905. He toured all over America and also played in England. Edward Ellis was a dramatic author and also wrote the playscript for the 1934 play Affair of a Gentleman. In films, he played mostly supporting roles, his only leading roles being in Main Street Lawyer (1939) and in A Man to Remember (1938) and Three Sons (1939), a remake of Lionel Barrymore's Sweepings (1933). He starred in 37 films, but is probably best remembered for his roles as the resolute sheriff in Fury, as Shirley Temple's uncle in Little Miss Broadway and the leading role in A Man to Remember. In 1939, Frank Capra offered Ellis the role of the President of the Senate in Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, however he refused the part which went to Harry Carey.

Personal life

He was briefly married to silent film actress Josephine Stevens from 1917 to the mid 1920s. Their union produced one daughter, Ruth Helen Ellis born in 1918.

Partial filmography