Significant Noir Actors
Here are the actors whose work in film noir has made their names synonymous with the genre. Most of them did other things and indeed, some were far more successful beyond noir, but their impact in film noir has put them on the “A” list of the genre’s most prolific and memorable actors.
Use your mouse rollover to see their profiles.
Use your mouse rollover to see their profiles.
James Cagney’s name may resonate film noir but his limited involvement in the genre suggest otherwise. He was one of Warner Bros. gangsters during the 30s and certainly played his share of violent characters in the dark dramas of that era. But by he time film noir came around in the 40s the versatile Cagney had moved on to comedy, musicals and even westerns. He only made two real noirs, 1949s White Heat and Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye the fallowing year. Those films are both good and Cagney is true to his former gangster persona, but that’s the extent of his noir work. So it would be a stretch to include him in the group above.
On the other hand, Robert Taylor is probably the most overlooked actor in film noir. Primarily known for his roles in romantic dramas, he was one of MGM’s leading men of the 40’s and starred in many of their big budget productions like Ivenhoe and Quo Vadis. Even though MGM was a studio that lagged in film noir, Taylor was the actor they went to when the studio did venture in the genre. He appeared in a half dozen noirs and although his performances were usually generic he did leave a film noir legacy.
On the other hand, Robert Taylor is probably the most overlooked actor in film noir. Primarily known for his roles in romantic dramas, he was one of MGM’s leading men of the 40’s and starred in many of their big budget productions like Ivenhoe and Quo Vadis. Even though MGM was a studio that lagged in film noir, Taylor was the actor they went to when the studio did venture in the genre. He appeared in a half dozen noirs and although his performances were usually generic he did leave a film noir legacy.
Misconceptions
James Cagney
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
Robert Taylor
The Bribe
The Bribe
