Ray Collins

Acting

Ray Collins

Born December 10, 1889 · Sacramento, California, USA

Died July 11, 1965 · aged 75

Ray Bidwell Collins (December 10, 1889 – July 11, 1965) was an American character actor in stock and Broadway theatre, radio, films, and television. With 900 stage roles to his credit, he became one of the most successful actors in the developing field of radio drama. A friend and associate of Orson Welles for many years, Collins went to Hollywood with the Mercury Theatre company and made his fea…

Known For

Citizen KaneCitizen Kane · 1941
Citizen Kane
8.01941
MovieMysteryDrama
Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event.
Touch of EvilTouch of Evil · 1958
Touch of Evil
7.71958
MovieCrimeThriller
A border-town bombing draws Mexican investigator Miguel Vargas into a corruption-ridden police investigation led by crooked captain Hank Quinlan, setting off a deadly struggle over power, justice, and truth.
Summer StockSummer Stock · 1950
Summer Stock
6.71950
MovieMusicRomance
To Jane Falbury's New England farm comes a troup of actors to put up a show, invited by Jane's sister. At first reluctant she has them do farm chores in exchange for food. Her reluctance becomes attraction when she falls in love with the director, Joe, who happens to be her sister's fiance.
Good SamGood Sam · 1948
Good Sam
6.31948
MovieComedyDrama
Sam Clayton has a good heart and likes to help out people in need. In fact, he likes to help them out so much that he often finds himself broke and unable to help his own family buy the things they need--like a house.
HideoutHideout · 1949
Hideout
5.91949
MovieCrimeDrama
Philip Ford's crime thriller stars Lloyd Bridges as a city attorney who comes to the dawning realization that a jewelry heist may be behind the discovery of a dead body in the park -- and that the culprit may be one of the town's leading citizens (Ray Collins). Unfortunately, his investigation is hampered by his girlfriend and ex-secretary (Lorna Gray), who could very well be in cahoots with the bad guys.
The Best Years of Our LivesThe Best Years of Our Lives · 1946
The Best Years of Our Lives
7.71946
MovieDramaRomance
It's the hope that sustains the spirit of every GI: the dream of the day when he will finally return home. For three WWII veterans, the day has arrived. But for each man, the dream is about to become a nightmare.
Boys' RanchBoys' Ranch · 1946
Boys' Ranch
7.01946
MovieAdventureDrama
A juvenile delinquent is sent to a rehabilitation ranch, but he immediately proves to be a troublemaker.
Texas LadyTexas Lady · 1955
Texas Lady
5.71955
MovieWestern
Claudette Colbert plays Prudence Webb, who arrives in the wide-open town of Fort Ralston, Texas, to assume control of her late father's newspaper. Her first major print crusade is aimed at gambler Chris Mooney (Barry Sullivan), whom Prudence holds responsible for her dad's suicide. She then takes aim at a couple of crooked cattle barons (Ray Collins and Walter Sande), who'd like nothing better than to put Prudence out of the way for keeps.

Movies

Citizen KaneCitizen Kane · 1941
Citizen Kane
8.01941
MovieMysteryDrama
Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event.
Touch of EvilTouch of Evil · 1958
Touch of Evil
7.71958
MovieCrimeThriller
A border-town bombing draws Mexican investigator Miguel Vargas into a corruption-ridden police investigation led by crooked captain Hank Quinlan, setting off a deadly struggle over power, justice, and truth.
Summer StockSummer Stock · 1950
Summer Stock
6.71950
MovieMusicRomance
To Jane Falbury's New England farm comes a troup of actors to put up a show, invited by Jane's sister. At first reluctant she has them do farm chores in exchange for food. Her reluctance becomes attraction when she falls in love with the director, Joe, who happens to be her sister's fiance.
Good SamGood Sam · 1948
Good Sam
6.31948
MovieComedyDrama
Sam Clayton has a good heart and likes to help out people in need. In fact, he likes to help them out so much that he often finds himself broke and unable to help his own family buy the things they need--like a house.
HideoutHideout · 1949
Hideout
5.91949
MovieCrimeDrama
Philip Ford's crime thriller stars Lloyd Bridges as a city attorney who comes to the dawning realization that a jewelry heist may be behind the discovery of a dead body in the park -- and that the culprit may be one of the town's leading citizens (Ray Collins). Unfortunately, his investigation is hampered by his girlfriend and ex-secretary (Lorna Gray), who could very well be in cahoots with the bad guys.
The Best Years of Our LivesThe Best Years of Our Lives · 1946
The Best Years of Our Lives
7.71946
MovieDramaRomance
It's the hope that sustains the spirit of every GI: the dream of the day when he will finally return home. For three WWII veterans, the day has arrived. But for each man, the dream is about to become a nightmare.
Boys' RanchBoys' Ranch · 1946
Boys' Ranch
7.01946
MovieAdventureDrama
A juvenile delinquent is sent to a rehabilitation ranch, but he immediately proves to be a troublemaker.
Texas LadyTexas Lady · 1955
Texas Lady
5.71955
MovieWestern
Claudette Colbert plays Prudence Webb, who arrives in the wide-open town of Fort Ralston, Texas, to assume control of her late father's newspaper. Her first major print crusade is aimed at gambler Chris Mooney (Barry Sullivan), whom Prudence holds responsible for her dad's suicide. She then takes aim at a couple of crooked cattle barons (Ray Collins and Walter Sande), who'd like nothing better than to put Prudence out of the way for keeps.
AthenaAthena · 1954
Athena
5.81954
MovieRomanceComedy
A stuffy young lawyer's outlook on life drastically changes when he meets a perky health food enthusiast and her wacky family.
Night in ParadiseNight in Paradise · 1946
Night in Paradise
6.51946
MovieComedyDrama
Aesop of fable fame poses as an old man and woos away a princess who wants a king for his gold.
The FountainheadThe Fountainhead · 1949
The Fountainhead
6.81949
MovieDramaRomance
An uncompromising, visionary architect struggles to maintain his integrity and individualism despite personal, professional and economic pressures to conform to popular standards.
The Magnificent AmbersonsThe Magnificent Ambersons · 1942
The Magnificent Ambersons
7.31942
MovieDramaRomance
The spoiled young heir to the decaying Amberson fortune comes between his widowed mother and the man she has always loved.
See Here, Private HargroveSee Here, Private Hargrove · 1944
See Here, Private Hargrove
6.51944
MovieComedyRomance
Journalist Marion Hargrove enters the Army intending to supplement his income by writing about his training experiences. He muddles through basic training at Fort Bragg with the self-serving help of a couple of buddies intent on cutting themselves in on that extra income.
The Desperate HoursThe Desperate Hours · 1955
The Desperate Hours
7.01955
MovieCrimeThriller
Escaped convicts terrorize a suburban family they're holding hostage.
Three Wise FoolsThree Wise Fools · 1946
Three Wise Fools
5.71946
MovieComedyDrama
An orphan girl melts the hearts of three crusty old men.
Madame CurieMadame Curie · 1943
Madame Curie
7.21943
MovieDramaRomance
Poor physics student Marie is studying at the Sorbonne in 1890s Paris. One of the few women studying in her field, Marie encounters skepticism concerning her abilities, but is eventually offered a research placement in Pierre Curie's lab. The scientists soon fall in love and embark on a shared quest to extract, from a particular type of rock, a new chemical element they have named radium. However, their research puts them on the brink of professional failure.
Reunion in RenoReunion in Reno · 1951
Reunion in Reno
6.31951
MovieComedy
A little girl enlists the aid of an attorney to obtain a divorce from her parents. Breezy B comedy was loosely remade as Irreconcilable Differences.
Leave Her to HeavenLeave Her to Heaven · 1945
Leave Her to Heaven
7.41945
MovieDramaThriller
A socialite marries a prominent novelist, which spurs a violent, obsessive, and dangerous jealousy in her.
Highways by NightHighways by Night · 1942
Highways by Night
7.31942
MovieAdventureComedy
A young millionaire (Richard Carlson) joins the real world and meets a maid (Jane Randolph) and mobsters.
The Human ComedyThe Human Comedy · 1943
The Human Comedy
6.21943
MovieDramaFamily
Teenager Homer Macauley stays at home in the small town of Ithaca, California to support his family while his older brother Marcus prepares to go to war.
The HeiressThe Heiress · 1949
The Heiress
7.81949
MovieDramaRomance
In 1840s New York, the uneventful and boring days of the daughter of a wealthy doctor come to an end when she meets a dashing poorer man — who may or may not be after her inheritance.
I'll Give My LifeI'll Give My Life · 1960
I'll Give My Life
8.01960
MovieDrama
This story opens with John Bradford throwing a graduation party for his son, Jim, who has just earned a degree in engineering. John has planned to make his son a partner in his engineering firm for many years. However, Jim has decided to enter the ministry.
Never Say GoodbyeNever Say Goodbye · 1956
Never Say Goodbye
6.41956
MovieDramaRomance
In present-day U.S., Dr. Michael Parker, a prominent surgeon, unexpectedly runs into his German-born wife whom he thought was dead. Victor, an artist and his "dead" wife's now boyfriend, berates Dr. Parker for "killing" her. The bulk of the story flashes back to Austria during World War II as we learn how Dr. Parker met and married his wife, and the one mistake that may have cost him his family.
A Double LifeA Double Life · 1947
A Double Life
6.41947
MovieDramaThriller
A Shakespearian actor starring as Othello opposite his wife finds the character's jealous rage taking over his mind off-stage.

TV Shows

Perry MasonPerry Mason · 1957
Perry Mason
7.71957
SeriesMysteryDrama
The cases of master criminal defense attorney Perry Mason and his staff who handled the most difficult of cases in the aid of the innocent.
Father Knows BestFather Knows Best · 1954
Father Knows Best
6.71954
SeriesComedyFamily
Family man Jim Anderson copes with the everyday problems among his wife Margaret and their three children as they experience day-to-day changes.
Climax!Climax! · 1954
Climax!
3.81954
SeriesDramaMystery
Climax! is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from 1954 to 1958. The series was hosted by William Lundigan and later co-hosted by Mary Costa. It was one of the few CBS programs of that era to be broadcast in color. Many of the episodes were performed and broadcast live.
Dick Powell's Zane Grey TheatreDick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre · 1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
6.21956
SeriesWesternDrama
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, sometimes simply called Zane Grey Theatre, is an American Western anthology series which ran on CBS from 1956 to 1961.
Studio OneStudio One · 1948
Studio One
5.41948
SeriesDrama
An American radio–television anthology series, created in 1947 by Canadian director Fletcher Markle, who came to CBS from the CBC. Studio One, presented by Westinghouse, was one of the first of the anthology TV programs. The episodes were often abridged remakes of movies from years gone by and many future well-known television and movie actors appeared in the productions.
Alfred Hitchcock PresentsAlfred Hitchcock Presents · 1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
7.81955
SeriesMysteryDrama
A television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock featuring dramas, thrillers, and mysteries.
The 20th Century Fox HourThe 20th Century Fox Hour · 1955
The 20th Century Fox Hour
6.01955
SeriesDrama
The 20th Century Fox Hour is an American drama anthology series televised in the United States on CBS from 1955 to 1957. Some of the shows in this series were restored, remastered and shown on the Fox Movie Channel in 2002 under the title Hour of Stars. The season one episode Overnight Haul, starring Richard Conte and Lizabeth Scott, was released in Australia as a feature film.
Cavalcade of AmericaCavalcade of America · 1952
Cavalcade of America
4.61952
SeriesDrama
Cavalcade of America is an anthology drama series that was sponsored by the DuPont Company, although it occasionally presented a musical, such as an adaptation of Show Boat, and condensed biographies of popular composers. It was initially broadcast on radio from 1935 to 1953, and later on television from 1952 to 1957. Originally on CBS, the series pioneered the use of anthology drama for company audio advertising. Cavalcade of America documented historical events using stories of individual courage, initiative and achievement, often with feel-good dramatizations of the human spirit's triumph against all odds. This was consistent with DuPont's overall conservative philosophy and legacy as an American company dating back to 1802. The company's motto, "Maker of better things for better living through chemistry," was read at the beginning of each program, and the dramas emphasized humanitarian progress, particularly improvements in the lives of women, often through technological innovation.