Edward Pawley

Edward Joel Pawley (born March 16, 1901 in Kansas City, Missouri - January 27, 1988) is an American actor. He began his theatrical career in 1920 and reached the Broadway stage in 1923. He starred in various well-known Broadway plays including Elmer Gantry (1928), Two Seconds (1931), Subway Express (1929), The Guardsman (1924), The Shame Woman (1923), and They Knew What They Wanted (1924). Pawley's rich, baritone voice was hailed by leading journalists of the day, such as Walter Winchell and Heywood Hale Broun. While in highschool, he became interested in both journalism and acting. He took drama classes and acted in high school plays. After moving to New York City to pursue a career in the theater, he married his high school sweetheart, Martina May Martin (who had also become a professional stage actress). They had one child, a son named Martin Herbert Pawley. Edward and Martina later divorced then remarried and divorced again. In 1937, he married the then popular Broadway singer/dancer/actress, Helen Shipman of Pennsylvania. They were married for 47 years until her death on April 13, 1984. Pawley had two younger brothers, William Pawley and Anthony Pawley, both of whom also performed on Broadway and in the movies.

New York, Radio Days

Pawley became disenchanted with Hollywood during the attempted infiltration by the communists in the late 1930s and early 1940s; consequently, he left in 1942 and returned to New York City where he became a star on radio. Calling upon his prior training/experience in radio (he performed on the Collier Hour in the very early 1930s), Pawley auditioned for and won a leading role on the popular show, Portia Faces Life. He and Lucille Wall were the 'Love Story Boy and Girl' on that show. In 1943, Pawley auditioned for the starring role of 'Steve Wilson' on the very popular radio show, Big Town. He won the audition and left Portia Faces Life to become the 'new' Steve Wilson, replacing Edward G. Robinson who played that role from 1937-1942 (when the show was produced in Hollywood). Edward's 'sidekick' on the show was Fran Carlon who played girl reporter Lorelei Kilbourne.

Related Topics:
Communists - 1930s - 1940s - 1942 - New York City - Radio - Portia Faces Life - Lucille Wall - Big Town - Edward G. Robinson - Fran Carlon

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