Volume III: Biographies

WALLING, Roy *

Actor (date?)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Roy Walling was an actor with Thanhouser at one time, according to the 1917 edition of the Motion Picture News Studio Directory.

Biographical Notes: Gabriel Roy Walling was born in Oregon in 1890. At the age of 18 he secured a job as a trombone player in a theatre orchestra. Later, he joined a stock company and traveled to the East. He appeared in many productions around the country. In February 1915 it was announced that Detroit's Folly Theatre had been leased by Walling and his associates, and effective March 22 would be known as the Walling Theatre, home of the Walling Dramatic Stock Company. In 1917 he was leading man for the Emerson Players in Lowell, Massachusetts.At one time in the teens Roy Walling was involved in films, appearing with Pathé and Thanhouser. Later, he wrote scenarios. The 1917 edition of the Motion Picture News Studio Directory noted that he was 5'10" tall and had a light complexion. At the time he was represented by Kirmmse, Inc., 105 West 40th Street, New York City.

In later years, Walling achieved recognition as a playwright for the stage. His first notable writing success was the play Laff That Off, co-authored with Don Mullally, staged at Wallack's Theatre in 1925. He wrote the play Manhattan Nocturne, which opened to mixed reviews in 1943. Other stage writing credits include World of Their Own, Conscience, What Ann Brought Home, and Mary's Other Husband. Roy Walling died in Beacon, New York on May 7, 1964. At the time he lived on Grist Mill Lane, Stanfordville, New York. He was survived by his actress wife, the former Ruth Guiterman.

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