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.

Virginia

During Pawley's 9-year reign, Big Town achieved the number one rating for reporter-type crime/drama shows on radio. His audience was estimated anywhere from 10 million to 20 million listeners. He left the show in 1951 and retired to the small village of Amissville in rural Rappahannock County, Virginia. He had fallen in love with the State early during his theatrical career.

Related Topics:
1951 - Amissville - Rappahannock County, Virginia

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