Leonard Ceeley


Leonard Ceeley was a British-born American actor.

Early life and career

He began as a choirboy at Rochester Cathedral before traveling to Italy to refine his vocal skills.
His theatrical career unfolded almost exclusively in the United States, where he was one of the most prolific actors in musicals and operettas during the late 1920s and early 1930s, particularly on the Broadway theatre and around the country.
From 1930 to 1935, he held many leading roles in productions at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre, commonly known as The Muny, earning his own paper doll.
He later had a modest film career, with his most notable role being Whitmore, the villain in the Marx Brothers movie A [Day at the Races (film)|A Day at the Races]
In 1943 Leonard Ceeley married Lorraine Bridges an American actress and singer, they remained married until his death. They were principal players in the Marx brothers revue A Day at the Races. and appeared in an adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac titled Gardenia Lady, which was written, composed, produced and costarred by Leonard Ceeley, in Leeds in 1947.

Theatre