Skip to content
Jonathan Hale

Personal Information

Known ForActing
GenderMale
Born / DiedMar 20, 1891 (Died at 75)
Zodiac Sign♓Pisces
Place of BirthHamilton, Ontario, Canada
Career Span1934 – 1966
Known Credits210 Titles
Official Links
ActingPopularity Score 1.3

Jonathan Hale

Also known as:Jonathan Hale Jr.John HaleJonathan Hatley
Total Works

210

198 movies • 12 shows

Avg Rating

6.6 / 10

across rated releases

Box Office

—

worldwide gross

Global Reach

#1

TMDB star index

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jonathan Hale (born Jonathan Hatley, March 21, 1891 – February 28, 1966) was a Canadian-born film and television actor. Hale was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Before his acting career, Hale worked in the Diplomatic Corps. Hale is most well known as Dagwood Bumstead's boss, Julius Caesar Dithers, in the Blondie film series in the 1940s. He is also notable for playing Inspector Fernack in various The Saint films by RKO Pictures. In 1950 he made two appearances in The Cisco Kid as Barry Owens. He also appeared in two different episodes of Adventures of Superman: "The Evil Three", in which he played a murderous "Southern Colonel"-type character, and "Panic in the Sky", one of the most famous episodes, in which he played the lead astronomer at the Metropolis Observatory, actually a California observatory. Among the relatively few television programs on which Hale appeared are the religion anthology series Crossroads, The Loretta Young Show, Brave Eagle, Schlitz Playhouse, The Joey Bishop Show, and Walt Disney Presents: "A Tribute to Joel Chandler Harris". Hale committed suicide on February 28, 1966. He was found dead that evening in his room at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Hale had taken his own life with a .38 caliber pistol, which was found near his body. He was 74. Hale was interred at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California. Sadly, Hale's grave went unmarked for more than four decades, until a proper headstone was erected by donations from the "Dearly Departed" fan-based group in 2013; he is now honored with the inscription, "We Remembered You".

Signature Roles & Milestones

Strangers on a Train
7.7
as Mr. Antony
A Night at the Opera
7.4
as The Stage Manager (uncredited)
Fury
7.5
Fury
1936•movie
as Defense Attorney
A Star Is Born
7.2
A Star Is Born
1937•movie
as Judge Parris (uncredited)

Full Filmography & Credits

Showing 210 titles featuring Jonathan Hale

Strangers on a Train
7.7

as Mr. Antony

A Night at the Opera
7.4

as The Stage Manager (uncredited)

Fury
7.5
Fury
1936•movie

as Defense Attorney

A Star Is Born
7.2
A Star Is Born
1937•movie

as Judge Parris (uncredited)

You Only Live Once
7.1
You Only Live Once
1937•movie

as District Attorney (uncredited)

Call Northside 777
6.7
Call Northside 777
1948•movie

as Governor's Aide Robert Winston (uncredited)

The Fountainhead
6.8
The Fountainhead
1949•movie

as Guy Francon (uncredited)

The Raven
6.6
The Raven
1935•movie

as Bedside Dr. at Jerry's Right (uncredited)

Hangmen Also Die!
6.9
Hangmen Also Die!
1943•movie

as Dedic

Boys Town
6.8
Boys Town
1938•movie

as John Hargraves

'G' Men
6.6
'G' Men
1935•movie

as Congressman (uncredited)

Johnny Belinda
6.9
Johnny Belinda
1948•movie

as Dr. Gray (uncredited)

Lassie
6.3
1 eps
Lassie
1954•series
Scandal Sheet
7.0
Scandal Sheet
1952•movie

as Frank Madison

The Baron of Arizona
6.7

as Governor

Alice Adams
6.7
Alice Adams
1935•movie

as Mr. Palmer

In Name Only
7.0
In Name Only
1939•movie

as Dr. Gateson

Adventures of Superman
6.6
2 eps

as Professor Roberts

The Tall Target
6.8
The Tall Target
1951•movie

as Passenger from Carolina (uncredited)

Angel on My Shoulder
6.5

as Citizens for Better Government Chairman (uncredited)

Dakota
5.2
Dakota
1945•movie

as Colonel Wordin

Son of Paleface
6.4
Son of Paleface
1952•movie

as Governor Freeman (uncredited)

Silver River
6.1
Silver River
1948•movie

as Major Spencer

Cattle Queen of Montana
5.7

as Politician (uncredited)

High Wall
6.4
High Wall
1947•movie

as Emory Garrison

Hollywood Canteen
7.3
Hollywood Canteen
1944•movie

as Mr. Brodel (uncredited)

Charlie Chan's Secret
7.0

as Warren T. Phelps

Charlie Chan at the Olympics
6.8

as Mr. Hopkins

Dead Man's Eyes
6.5
Dead Man's Eyes
1944•movie

as Dr. Sam Welles

The Steel Trap
6.6
The Steel Trap
1952•movie

as Tom Bowers

Charlie Chan at the Race Track
7.1

as Warren Fenton

Saratoga
6.5
Saratoga
1937•movie

as Frank Clayton

The Night Holds Terror
5.5

as Bob Henderson

The Story of Alexander Graham Bell
6.3

as President of Western Union

Kansas Pacific
5.0
Kansas Pacific
1953•movie

as Sherman Johnson

Johnny Apollo
6.8
Johnny Apollo
1940•movie

as Dr. Brown

If You Could Only Cook
7.4

as Henry Brown - Member of Board of Directors (uncredited)

The Saint Strikes Back
5.8

as Inspector Henry Fernack

The Saint in New York
6.5

as Inspector Henry Fernack

She Couldn't Say No
5.7

as John Bentley

This Is My Affair
7.3
This Is My Affair
1937•movie

as Judge

The Case of the Howling Dog
6.3

as Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

The Saint's Double Trouble
6.0

as Inspector Henry Fernack

A Dangerous Profession
5.7
The Judge
5.5
The Judge
1949•movie

as Judge Allan J. Brooks

The Saint Takes Over
6.7

as Inspector Henry Fernack

A Lost Lady
5.8
A Lost Lady
1934•movie

as (uncredited)

The Cat Creeps
5.0
The Cat Creeps
1946•movie

as Walter Elliott

Three Husbands
5.4
Three Husbands
1950•movie

as Edward Wurdeman

The Beginning or the End
6.4

as Dr. Vannevar Bush

Housewife
7.2
Housewife
1934•movie

as Doctor

Blondie Meets the Boss
5.8

as J.C. Dithars

The Saint In Palm Springs
6.1

as Inspector Henry Fernack

Wives Under Suspicion
5.3

as Allison

The Devil Is a Sissy
7.0

as Judge Holmes

China Clipper
5.8
China Clipper
1936•movie

as State Department Official (uncredited)

Blondie
7.0
Blondie
1938•movie

as Mr. Dithers

Letter of Introduction
6.0

as Lou Woodstock (uncredited)

The Amazing Mr. Williams
6.0

as Mayor

Easy to Wed
6.4
Easy to Wed
1946•movie

as Hector Boswell

Tap Roots
6.9
Tap Roots
1948•movie

as Gen. Johnston (uncredited)

The Cisco Kid
6.2
2 eps
The Cisco Kid
1950•series

as Barry Owens

Blondie Goes Latin
6.6
Blondie Goes Latin
1941•movie

as J.C. Dithers

Jack London
6.1
Jack London
1943•movie

as Kerwin Maxwell

Miss Annie Rooney
6.3
Miss Annie Rooney
1942•movie

as Mr. Martin White

Gangs of New York
5.3
Gangs of New York
1938•movie

as Warden

Blondie Goes to College
6.6

as J.C. Dithers

The Strange Mr. Gregory
5.5

as Defense Attorney Blair

The Walls Came Tumbling Down
6.2

as Captain Griffin

Flight from Destiny
5.8

as Dist. Atty. Johnson

The Phantom Speaks
5.7
The Phantom Speaks
1945•movie

as Owen McAllister

Madame X
6.1
Madame X
1937•movie

as Hugh Fariman Sr.

Yellow Jack
5.9
Yellow Jack
1938•movie

as Major General Leonard Wood

Public Hero Number 1
6.3

as Prison Board Member (uncredited)

Young Man with Ideas
5.2

as Stanley Rickson (uncredited)

Blondie in Society
6.4
Blondie in Society
1941•movie

as J.C. Dithers

Blondie Plays Cupid
6.8

as J.C. Dithers

Blondie Brings Up Baby
6.9

as J.C. Dithers

Arsène Lupin Returns
6.3

as F.B.I. Special Agent

Judge Hardy's Children
6.8

as John Lee

Sweet Rosie O'Grady
6.5

as Mr. Fox

Her Husband's Affairs
5.6

as Gov. Fox

Sinner Take All
4.9
Sinner Take All
1936•movie

as Dr. Harrison (uncredited)

Blondie Has Servant Trouble
7.0

as J.C. Dithers

Blondie Knows Best
6.9
Blondie Knows Best
1946•movie

as J.C. Dithers

Blondie's Lucky Day
6.4

as J.C. Dithers

The Rear Gunner
6.4
The Rear Gunner
1943•movie

as Commanding Officer

State Department: File 649
5.0

as Director-General

The Duke of West Point
5.0

as Colonel Early

The Case Against Mrs. Ames
5.0

as First trial judge

Taxi
6.8
Taxi
1953•movie

as Mr. Barker (uncredited)

Tail Spin
6.3
Tail Spin
1939•movie

as Racing Official Starter (Uncredited)

You Can't Buy Luck
4.7
You Can't Buy Luck
1937•movie

as Prosecutor (uncredited)

Calling Dr. Gillespie
7.0

as Frank M. Todwell

Page Miss Glory
6.7
Page Miss Glory
1935•movie

as Husband at Train Station (uncredited)

Mr. & Mrs. North
5.0
1 eps
Mr. & Mrs. North
1952•series
End of the Road
5.8
End of the Road
1944•movie

as Gregory McCune

36 Hours to Kill
6.1
36 Hours to Kill
1936•movie

as Mac - Train Conductor

Strange Alibi
7.2
Strange Alibi
1941•movie

as Police Chief Sprague

Hit-and-Run Driver
6.2
Hit-and-Run Driver
1935•movie

as Captain James (uncredited)

Duffy of San Quentin
6.2

as Boyd

Tarnished Angel
5.3
Tarnished Angel
1938•movie

as Detective Sgt. Cramer

Man Alive
5.6
Man Alive
1945•movie

as Osborne

Breaking the Ice
6.1
Breaking the Ice
1938•movie

as Mr. Kane

Wings of the Navy
6.2
Wings of the Navy
1939•movie

as Commandant

Thunder Afloat
6.1
Thunder Afloat
1939•movie

as Admiral Girard

Joe Smith, American
6.5

as Blake McKettrick

We Who Are Young
6.3
We Who Are Young
1940•movie

as Braddock

The Voice of Bugle Ann
5.5

as District Attorney

Allotment Wives
6.7
Allotment Wives
1945•movie

as Brig. Gen. H.N. Gilbert

The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok
5.3
1 eps

as General

Blondie's Blessed Event
7.0

as J.C. Dithers

Blondie for Victory
7.6

as J.C. Dithers

Triple Trouble
7.0
Triple Trouble
1950•movie

as The Judge

Sea Devils
6.0
Sea Devils
1937•movie

as Court-Martial President (uncredited)

Danger – Love at Work
7.0

as Parsons, an attorney

Exiled to Shanghai
5.5
Exiled to Shanghai
1937•movie

as J.B. Willet

Let 'em Have It
7.6
Let 'em Have It
1935•movie

as Microscopic Expert

There's That Woman Again
6.2

as Rolfe Davis

Men with Wings
5.4
Men with Wings
1938•movie

as Long

Stand Up and Fight
6.0
Stand Up and Fight
1939•movie

as Colonel Webb

Wings Over Honolulu
6.4

as Judge Advocate

Dulcy
6.4
Dulcy
1940•movie

as Homer Patterson

Watchtower Over Tomorrow
5.4

as Security Council Chair

Ringside Maisie
5.6
Ringside Maisie
1941•movie

as Dr. Kramer

The League of Frightened Men
6.2

as Alexander Drummond

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
7.2
1 eps
Cavalcade of America
4.6
1 eps
Screen Director's Playhouse
7.0
1 eps

as Mayor

Footlight Glamour
8.0
Footlight Glamour
1943•movie

as J.C. Dithers

Leave It to Blondie
6.8

as J.C. Dithers

The Accusing Finger
5.8

as Special Prosecutor

Lightning Strikes Twice
5.2

as Capt. Nelson

In Old Monterey
6.2
In Old Monterey
1939•movie

as Stevenson

Barricade
6.5
Barricade
1939•movie

as Assistant Secretary of State

There's Something About a Soldier
5.4

as Gen. Sommerton

Fugitives for a Night
7.2

as Police Captain

Man Of The People
7.0
Man Of The People
1937•movie

as Carter Spetner

The Black Parachute
6.8

as King Stephen

The Bugle Sounds
6.8
The Bugle Sounds
1942•movie

as Brigadier-General

Crime Ring
5.8
Crime Ring
1938•movie

as Bank President

3 Kids and a Queen
6.8
3 Kids and a Queen
1935•movie

as Gangster

Panic on the Air
5.8
Panic on the Air
1936•movie

as Johnson (uncredited)

Crossroads
6.8
1 eps
Crossroads
1955•series

as Governor

It's a Great Life
7.7
It's a Great Life
1943•movie

as J.C. Dithers

Life with Blondie
6.7
Life with Blondie
1945•movie

as J.C. Dithers

The Ghost Goes Wild
6.0

as Max Atterbury

Flight Lieutenant
6.3
Flight Lieutenant
1942•movie

as Joseph Sanford

Over the Wall
5.7
Over the Wall
1938•movie

as Governor James McDonald

Insurance Investigator
5.7

as Russell James

Divorce
6.0
Divorce
1945•movie

as Judge

Rolling Home
5.7
Rolling Home
1946•movie

as Henry Kane

Her Jungle Love
7.5
Her Jungle Love
1938•movie

as J.C. Martin

The First Hundred Years
7.3

as Judge Parker

Riverboat Rhythm
6.3
Riverboat Rhythm
1946•movie

as Col. Edward Beeler

Gentlemen Are Born
7.3
Gentlemen Are Born
1934•movie

as Second Broker

The Three Outlaws
6.0
The Three Outlaws
1956•movie

as Pinkerton

Black Gold
7.0
Black Gold
1947•movie

as Senator Watkins

Short Grass
6.0
Short Grass
1950•movie

as Charlie Bissel

Lone Star Ranger
5.3
Lone Star Ranger
1942•movie

as Judge Longstreth

The Vigilantes Return
3.8

as Judge Holden

This Is the Life
6.0
This Is the Life
1944•movie

as Dr. Plum

Federal Agent at Large
5.8

as James Goodwin

The Calling of Dan Matthews
4.7

as Club Owner (uncredited)

Disaster
6.0
Disaster
1948•movie

as Police Commissioner Jerome

Wife Wanted
7.8
Wife Wanted
1946•movie

as Philip Conway

Let's Go Navy!
8.0
Let's Go Navy!
1951•movie

as Captain

Racketeers in Exile
7.5

as Alden Parker

Happy Go Lucky
7.0
Happy Go Lucky
1936•movie

as J. Lansing Bennett

She's Dangerous
7.0
She's Dangerous
1937•movie

as Charles Fitzgerald

Sunny Side of the Street
8.0

as Cyrus Pelley

One New York Night
7.5
One New York Night
1935•movie

as Mr. Stokes

The Man Who Found Himself
8.5

as Dr. Tom Smythe

Spendthrift
6.0
Spendthrift
1936•movie

as Attorney

Jaguar
7.5
Jaguar
1956•movie

as Dr. Powell

Too Tough to Kill
7.5
Too Tough to Kill
1935•movie

as Chairman of the Board

Big Town Girl
7.0
Big Town Girl
1937•movie

as Hershell

Three Live Ghosts
6.0
Three Live Ghosts
1936•movie

as Detective Bolton

The Singing Kid
7.0
The Singing Kid
1936•movie

as Dr. Brown (uncredited)

Stampede
6.2
Stampede
1949•movie

as Varick

A Night at the Ritz
6.5

as Director (uncredited)

Navy Wife
6.0
Navy Wife
1935•movie

as Norton

Her First Beau
6.5
Her First Beau
1941•movie

as Mr. Harris

Melody and Moonlight
7.5

as Otis Barnett

You May Be Next!
4.8
You May Be Next!
1936•movie

as Army Officer (uncredited)

One Against the World
8.0

as Dr. Ephraim McDowell

City Detective
7.5
1 eps
City Detective
1953•series
MGM Parade
7.5
1 eps
MGM Parade
1955•series
Nobody's Darling
8.0
Nobody's Darling
1943•movie

as Jason Rhodes

The Great Swindle
8.0
The Great Swindle
1941•movie

as Swann

John Meade's Woman
7.0
John Meade's Woman
1937•movie

as Mr. Melton

Rose of the Yukon
7.0
Rose of the Yukon
1949•movie

as Gen. Butler

Sutter's Gold
7.0
Sutter's Gold
1936•movie

as Prosecuting Attorney

Rocky
8.0
Rocky
1948•movie

as Kenneth Forrester

Outcast
8.0
Outcast
1937•movie
Behind Southern Lines
8.0

as General

The Pittsburgh Kid
7.0
The Pittsburgh Kid
1941•movie

as Max Ellison

My Buddy
9.0
My Buddy
1944•movie

as Senator Henry

G.I. Honeymoon
8.0
G.I. Honeymoon
1945•movie

as Colonel Hammerhead Smith

Rodeo King and the Senorita
7.0

as Dr. Sands

Gay Blades
8.0
Gay Blades
1946•movie

as Whittlesey

Midnight Madonna
8.0
Midnight Madonna
1937•movie

as Stuart Kirkland

Flying Hostess
10.0
Flying Hostess
1936•movie

as Kendall

Educating Father
9.0
Educating Father
1936•movie

as Fred Humphrey

Private Affairs
7.0
Private Affairs
1940•movie

as George Gilkin

The Big Guy
8.0
The Big Guy
1939•movie

as Jack Lane

King of the Gamblers
7.0

as Sam Hyland

The Flaming Urge
7.0
The Flaming Urge
1953•movie

as Mr. Chalmers

The Whistler
2 eps
The Whistler
1954•series