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Marshall Crosby

Marshall Crosby
Born
Joseph Alexander Crosby

18 February 1882
Died1 January 1954 (aged 72)
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
FamilyDon Crosby (son)

Marshall Crosby (18 February 1882 – 1 January 1954) born as Joseph Alexander Crosby, was a popular Australian actor and singer of vaudeville, theatre, radio, film and television.[1]

Biography

Crosby was born the twelfth of thirteen children in Caltowie, South Australia of Walter Thomas Crosby, an English school teacher and his wife Ann Cameron. After schooling he initially worked as a clerk at the post office, before becoming a telephonist.

He started his professional show business career after auditioning as a baritone with the theatrical company of Leslie Harrison, and worked in vaudeville with Henry Clay and Harry Rickards, he also performed with the Tivoli Theatre before appearing in a number of musicals for J. C. Williamson Ltd, and also in revues and operetta burlesque. In the early 1930s he started to take small roles in films and had parts in Dad and Dave Come to Town, Smithy and Eureka Stockade. He was a leading radio actor,[2] remembered for his role as "Josh Roberts" in the long running ABC radio serial Blue Hills.[3]

He was a supporter of the Labor Party of Australia and a trade unionist involved with the actors union, Actors and Announcers Equity Association of Australia. He married Theresa King on 25 April 1907. He was the father of actor and radio producer Don Crosby, who was an Order of Australia recipient.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1932 His Royal Highness Alfam
1933 Harmony Row Sergeant
1934 Clara Gibbings Tudor
1934 A Ticket in Tatts Mr. Summers
1937 The Broken Melody Rowing Trainer
1937 The Avenger Detective Sergeant O'Neill
1938 Dad and Dave Come to Town Ryan Sr.
1940 Dad Rudd, MP Ryan
1940 Wings of Destiny Francis Jamieson
1941 That Certain Something Stephen Appleby
1941 Racing Luck Sir Reginald Franklin
1946 Smithy Arthur Powell
1946 The Overlanders Minister
1949 Eureka Stockade Sullivan, the postmaster Uncredited
1952 Kangaroo Gambler Uncredited, (final film role)

References

  1. ^ "Marshall Crosby Dead". The Canberra Times. 2 January 1954. p. 2. Retrieved 8 August 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Marshall Crosby — a Singing Actor". Werribee Shire Banner. Vic. 1 February 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 8 August 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "Death of Marshall Crosby". South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus. Vol. LIV, no. 7. New South Wales. 25 January 1954. p. 4 (Women's Magazine). Retrieved 18 March 2016 – via National Library of Australia.