Chester Morris was born John Chester Brooks Morris in New York City on February 16, 1901 to the actor William Morris (1861-1936) and the actress Etta Hawkins Morris (1865-1945) who was a comedienne in the Charles Frohman era.
While attending grammar school and high school in Mount Vernon, New York, he got his start in acting by appearing in a film made in New Rochelle by the Thanhouser Company (it has been reported that he was appearing in films at the tender age of 9 years old!). Upon finding out, William Morris promised to turn his son into a fine actor. At the age of 17, Chester made his Broadway debut, with Lionel Barrymore, in the stage production of The Copperhead at the Shubert Theatre, playing a 35 year old man named Sam Carter! In 1917 he graduated from the New York School of Fine Arts, billing himself as the "the youngest leading man in the country!” During this time Chester had several successes (and, of course, flops), appearing in such notable plays as Turn to the Right, in which he took over the lead role for Jason Robards, who had been called to New York to appear in the play Lightnin'. Some other stage productions that he appeared in throughout the late teens and twenties were: So This is London, with the well known character actor, Charles Coburn, Thunder (opening 9/22/1919 at the Criterion Theatre), and The Exciters (opening 9/22/1922 at the Times Square Theatre), in which Tallulah Bankhead had the lead role. After all this hard work, he decided to spend two years on the Vaudeville circuit, doing a comedy sketch, called All the Horrors of Home. Included in this act were his parents and his three siblings: Adrian (1907-1941), Gordon (1898-1940) and his sister Wilhelmina. Adrian later became a screen actor, playing in many films, usually uncredited or in supporting parts.
After Vaudeville's demise, Chester returned to the theatre under the personal management of Mr. George M. Cohan, for four years. Under Mr. Cohan's guidance he appeared in Yellow (opening 9/21/1926 at the National Theatre). Playing a small role, alongside Chester in this play, was a young lad by the name of Spencer Tracy. During his time with Cohan, he also appeared in The Home Towners (opening 8/23/1926 at the Hudson Theatre). Next, under the guidance of A.H. Woods, came his biggest hit, Crime, which premiered at The Eltinge 42nd St. Theatre on 2/22/1927. This theatre was built by A.H. Woods in 1912. Sadly, he lost it during the Depression and it became a burlesque house. Crime was so popular that it soon went on to play at The Times Square Theatre, running for over a year! Chester went on to appear in the play in Boston and Chicago. Among the cast of this play were names that would soon be known to moviegoers of the 30's: Kay Johnson, Jack La Rue, Douglass Montgomery, Sylvia Sidney, and James Rennie.
Hollywood began to take notice and Chester was receiving offers for film work but he turned them all down. That was soon to change. Roland West was casting for the film Alibi in 1929, but was struggling to find the right actor for the part in Hollywood. West was advised by D.W. Griffith to consider Chester for the role; and having been given the opportunity, Chester relocated to Hollywood. His prior film work had relegated him to supporting roles. West signed him for the lead role. After Alibi, Chester sky-rocketed to fame almost overnight. He received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a ruthless gangster. His subsequent films allowed him to branch into action, romance, comedy and drama.
Chester starred in many films throughout the 30's. But in 1941, Columbia signed him to play the lead role in the Boston Blackie series, for which he is best remembered. The series became a very popular one, lasting 8 years. Thirteen Boston Blackie films were made between the years 1941-1949.
