Joslyn, Allyn, -1981

Allyn Morgan Joslyn was born in Milford, Penn. There is conflicting information about the date of his birth; it has been reported as July 21, 1901 and July 21, 1905. As a teenager, he began his career on the live stage and acted in many plays throughout the 1920s and '30s. In 1935, he starred on Broadway in George Abbott's production of Boy meets girl. His role as Robert Law brought accolades and led him to Hollywood. Joslyn made his motion picture debut in They Won't Forget (1937). Over the next several decades, Joslyn acted in numerous motion pictures for all of the major studios, often in comedic roles. Notable motion pictures in which Joslyn appeared include Only angels have wings (1939), My sister Eileen (1942), Heaven can wait (1943), and Titanic (1953), among others. Joslyn played the role of Mortimer Brewster in the original Broadway production of Arsenic and old lace (1941). While working in both theater and motion pictures, he was actively writing and acting in radio shows. Joslyn's television career included lead roles in the series, The Eve Arden show, in which he had an ongoing role as George Howell (1957-58); and McKeever and the colonel, in which Joslyn starred as Colonel Harvey Blackwell (1962-63). He was a regular on The Ray Bolger show (1953-54) and also made many guest appearances in a variety of television productions throughout the 1950s and '60s. These include The Addams family, Rawhide, The Untouchables, and several programs for Ford Theatre. Joslyn made his final film appearance in The Brothers O'Toole (1973). He died of cardiac failure on January 21, 1981 at the Motion Picture and Television Country House in Woodland Hills, Calif.

From the description of Papers, ca. 1920-ca. 1970. (University of California, Los Angeles). WorldCat record id: 320046673

Biography

Allyn Morgan Joslyn was born in Milford, PA. There is conflicting information about the date of his birth; it has been reported as July 21, 1901 and July 21, 1905. As a teenager, he began his career on the live stage and acted in many plays throughout the 1920s and '30s. In 1935, he starred on Broadway in George Abbott's production of Boy Meets Girl. His role as Robert Law brought accolades and led him to Hollywood.

Joslyn made his motion picture debut in They Won't Forget (1937). (The film also marked the first film appearance of Lana Turner.) Over the next several decades, Joslyn acted in numerous motion pictures for all of the major studios, often in comedic roles. Notable motion pictures in which Joslyn appeared include Only Angels Have Wings (1939), My Sister Eileen (1942), Heaven Can Wait (1943), and Titanic (1953), among others. Joslyn played the role of Mortimer Brewster in the original Broadway production of Arsenic and Old Lace (1941); however, the role was played by Cary Grant in the film version (1944). While working in both theater and motion pictures, he was actively writing and acting in radio shows.

Joslyn's television career included lead roles in the series, The Eve Arden Show, where he had an ongoing role as George Howell (1957-58), and McKeever and the Colonel where Joslyn starred as Colonel Harvey Blackwell (1962-63). He was a regular on The Ray Bolger Show (1953-54) and also made many guest appearances in a variety of television productions throughout the 1950s and '60s. These include The Addams Family, Rawhide, The Untouchables, and several programs for Ford Theatre. Joslyn made his final film appearance in The Brothers O'Toole (1973). He died of cardiac failure on January 21, 1981 at the Motion Picture and Television Country House in Woodland Hills, CA.

From the guide to the Allyn Joslyn papers, 1920s-1970s, (University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Performing Arts Special Collections.)