John Ridgely
ActingAbout John Ridgely
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia John Ridgely (born John Huntington Rea, September 6, 1909 – January 18, 1968) was an American film character actor with over 175 film credits. He appeared in the 1946 Humphrey Bogart film The Big Sleep as blackmailing gangster Eddie Mars and had a memorable role as a suffering heart patient in the film noir Nora Prentiss (1947). He appeared in a large number of other Warner Bros. films in the 1930s and 1940s. Freelancing after 1948, John Ridgely continued to essay general-purpose parts until he left films in 1953. Thereafter, he worked in summer-theater productions and television until his death from a heart attack at the age of 58 in 1968.
John Ridgely Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of John Ridgely reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of John Ridgely's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 70% of John Ridgely's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Arsenic and Old Lace, which stands out as a key performance.
Best John Ridgely Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Ridgely's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie John Ridgely has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | The Greatest Show on Earth | Assistant Manager | Average | Similar → |
| 1952 | Room for One More | Harry Foreman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Blue Veil | Doctor (Uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | A Place in the Sun | Coroner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1950 | Saddle Tramp | Slim | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | Border Incident | Mr. Neley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1949 | Task Force | Dixie Rankin | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Command Decision | James Carwood | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | High Wall | Assistant District Attorney David Wallace (as John Ridgeley) | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | Possessed | Harker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Nora Prentiss | Walter Bailey | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | That Way with Women | Sam | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | The Big Sleep | Eddie Mars | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | My Reputation | Cary Abbott | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Pride of the Marines | Jim Merchant | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | God Is My Co-Pilot | David 'Tex' Hill | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Hollywood Canteen | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Doughgirls | Julian Cadman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Arsenic and Old Lace | Officer Saunders | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Destination Tokyo | Reserve Officer Raymond | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Air Force | Pilot | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Big Shot | Tim | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Bullet Scars | Hank O'Connor | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Man Who Came to Dinner | Radio Man | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | They Died with Their Boots On | 2nd Lt. Davis (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Wagons Roll at Night | Arch | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Strange Alibi | Tex Alexander (prisoner) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Lady with Red Hair | Actor Playing Paul (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Letter | Driver (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | They Drive by Night | Hank Dawson (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Brother Orchid | Texas Pearson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Torrid Zone | Gardner | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Saturday's Children | Mr. MacReady (voice) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Alice in Movieland | Bill (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Teddy the Rough Rider | Reporter | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Castle on the Hudson | Intake Guard (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | A Child is Born | Intern Going to See Operation (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | On Dress Parade | Fort Lewis Firing Range Sergeant (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Roaring Twenties | Cabbie at Grand Central (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase | Reporter | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Angels Wash Their Faces | Reporter at Pillory (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Each Dawn I Die | Reporter (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Naughty But Nice | Harry, Hudson's Assistant (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Dark Victory | Man Making Crack About Judith (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Women in the Wind | Salesman (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | They Made Me a Criminal | Charles 'Charlie' Magee (Reporter) | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | King of the Underworld | Jerry | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Going Places | Desk Clerk | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Nancy Drew… Detective | Radio Station Technician (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Boy Meets Girl | Simmons - Friday's Film Cutter | Hit | Similar → |
John Ridgely - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Ridgely?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Ridgely is "Arsenic and Old Lace" with a rating of 7.6/10.
How many movies has John Ridgely acted in?
John Ridgely has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Ridgely?
Other notable films include "The Big Sleep", "The Roaring Twenties", and "Hollywood Canteen".