Richard Hale


Richard Hale was an American opera and concert singer and later a character actor of film, stage and television. Hale's appearance often landed him roles as either Middle Eastern or Native American characters.

Life and career

Born in Rogersville, Tennessee, Hale attended Columbia University on a singing scholarship. Upon graduation in 1914, he turned down an offer to join Columbia's English department, choosing instead to join Minnie Maddern Fiske's theater group. Hale's 1921 debut at Aeolian Hall began a successful career in opera as a baritone; he toured Europe and the United States. The 1927 The [New York Times|New York Times] film review of The Unknown credits "Richard Hale, baritone" as singing "The Pirate's Frolic". During the 1930s, Hale performed at the Berkshire Playhouse in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. For the summer of 1931 he was part of the Summer stock theater cast at Denver's Elitch Theatre. Hale also narrated the American premiere of Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev, at Symphony Hall, Boston, with Prokofiev himself conducting. Hale was also the narrator for Arthur Fiedler's 1953 RCA recording of the same music with the Boston Pops.
In later life, he turned more and more to acting. His most notable role was in the 1956 film Friendly Persuasion, starring Gary Cooper. He was also notable as the Soothsayer who warns "Beware the Ides of March!" in the Shakespeare film Julius Caesar. In All the King's Men his character's name was Richard Hale. Hale also appeared in To Kill a Mockingbird as the sinister neighbor Nathan Radley. He was also known for his portrayal of Father Manuel Ferreira in The Miracle of [Our Lady of Fatima]. He made four guest appearances on Perry Mason, including murder victim George Lutts in 1957 in the show's third episode, "The Case of the Nervous Accomplice," and general store owner Robert Tepper in the 1960 episode, "The Case of the Violent Village." He also appeared in television programs such as Maverick, Cheyenne, Rawhide, Daniel Boone, Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Wild Wild West, Star Trek, Harry O, Adam-12, Here Come the Brides, and as Uncle Gilbert on an episode of The Munsters.
His death, aged 88, was due to problems relating to cardiovascular disease.

Partial filmography

None Shall Escape – Rabbi David LevinKnickerbocker Holiday – TammanyThe Girl in the Case – John HeyserCounter-Attack – General Kalinev A [Thousand and One Nights (1945 film)|A Thousand and One Nights] – KofirAbilene Town – Charlie FairBadman's Territory – Ben WadeThe Devil's Mask – Curator Raymond Halliday The [Man Who Dared (1946 film)|The Man Who Dared] – Reginald FoggThe Other Love – Professor LinnakerQueen Esther: A Story from the Bible – MordecaiPort Said – Mario GiustanoLife of St. Paul Series – Sergius PaulusThe [Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend] – Mr. Gus Basserman All the King's Men – Himself The Pilgrimage Play – Pontius PilateConvicted – Judge The Desert Hawk – Imam, the Holy One Kim – Hassan BeyInside Straight – Mr. Deering Soldiers Three – Govind-LalNight Into Morning – Judge The Law and the Lady – Sheriff Angels in the Outfield – Dr. Blane, Psychiatrist The Unknown Man – Cocktail Party Guest The Man with a Cloak – DurandFlame of Araby – King Chandra Young Man with Ideas – Vishto Scaramouche – PerigoreWhen in Rome – Professor Homer Sandway The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima – Father FerreiraCaribbean – Ship's Doctor Springfield Rifle – General Halleck Rogue's March – Igor, Russian EmissarySan Antone – Abraham Lincoln Julius Caesar – SoothsayerThe Vanquished – Colonel Sea of Lost Ships – Captain WelchThe Diamond Queen – Gabriel TavernierRed Garters – Dr. J. Pott TroyPassion – Don Domingo Drum Beat – General Sherman Jupiter's Darling – Auctioneer Canyon Crossroads – Joe RiversMoonfleet – StarkillA Man Alone – Judge Witham Pillars of the Sky – IsaiahFriendly Persuasion – PurdyShort Cut to Hell – ATVoice in the Mirror – Gaunt Man Ben-Hur – Gaspar Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Ernst von CroftSergeants 3 – White EagleTower of London – TyrusTo Kill a Mockingbird – Nathan RadleyThe Alfred Hitchcock Hour - Judge Lincoln ArthurGood Neighbor Sam – Mr. Bernier Scandalous John – Old IndianThe Limit – Man in ParkOne Little Indian – Old IndianRafferty and the Gold Dust Twins – Reverend Culpepper, The Jesus FreakEscape to Witch Mountain – Bolt's Servant Family Plot – A.A. Adamson Evil Town – Lester Wylie