Richard Gaines

Richard Houston Gaines (July 23, 1904 – July 20, 1975) was an American actor. He appeared in over 75 film and television productions between 1940 and 1962.

Richard Gaines
Born(1904-07-23)July 23, 1904
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedJuly 20, 1975(1975-07-20) (aged 70)
North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1929–1962 (secured)
Spouse(s)
​
(
m. 1936; div. 1940)
Children1

Early years

Gaines was born in Indian Territory, was nursed by a Cherokee, and grew up on a farm. He enrolled at Texas Christian University when he was 16 and studied drama there. He worked at a variety of jobs in the United States and in France before winning a scholarship to study at the American Laboratory Theatre.

Career

Richard Houston Gaines appeared in five Broadway productions between 1929 and 1942. He served as Raymond Massey's replacement as Abraham Lincoln in the original production of Robert E. Sherwood's Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1938-1939).[1]

In Hollywood, Gaines frequently played professional or officious types in supporting roles.[2] He was often seen in authoritarian roles as a lawyer, doctor, supervisor or father. Gaines made his film debut in the historical drama The Howards of Virginia with Cary Grant. One of his best-known roles was as Jean Arthur's stuffy suitor Charles J. Pendergast in The More the Merrier (1943), directed by George Stevens. He also appeared in Billy Wilder's film classic Double Indemnity (1944), playing the insurance boss of Fred MacMurray and Edward G. Robinson. In Cecil B. DeMille's Unconquered (1947), Gaines portrayed the historical role of George Washington. He worked frequently on television during the 1950s. Between 1958 and 1961, he had a recurring role as a judge in 14 episodes of Perry Mason.

Personal life

On September 30, 1936, Gaines married actress Brenda Marshall; the couple divorced in 1940. They had one daughter, Virginia (born 1937), who later grew up with Marshall and her second husband William Holden after Holden subsequently adopted Virginia Gaines when the couple married in 1941. Gaines retired from Hollywood business in 1962 after a guest appearance on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and he died in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, on July 20, 1975, at the age of 70, three days before his 71st birthday.

Selected filmography
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References
  1. Richard Gaines at IBDB
  2. Richard Gaines at Rotten Tomatoes
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