Alan Mowbray

Biography

Alan Mowbray MM (born Alfred Ernest Allen on August 18, 1896 – March 25, 1969) was a prominent English actor renowned for his work in both theater and film, particularly in the Hollywood scene. Hailing from London, he served honorably in the British Army during World War I, where he earned the Military Medal for his acts of bravery. Mowbray began his career on stage before relocating to the United States, where he not only performed in Broadway productions but also toured extensively with a theatrical company.

Adopting the stage name Alan Mowbray, he made his film debut in 1931 and became well-known as a character actor, with over 140 films to his credit. Notable performances include his role as a charming butler in the comedy *Merrily We Live* and the lead character in the television series *The Adventures of Colonel Flack*. During the Second World War, he made a striking appearance as the Devil in the propaganda film *The Devil with Hitler*. Mowbray also featured in approximately two dozen guest appearances across various television shows.

Beyond acting, he was one of the founding members of the Screen Actors Guild and held interests that led him to join the Royal Geographic Society in Britain. Mowbray starred in the titular role of *Colonel Humphrey Flack*, which aired from 1953-1954 and was revived in 1958-1959. He also portrayed Mr. Swift in the short-lived sitcom *The Mickey Rooney Show: Hey, Mulligan* during the 1954-1955 television season. He passed away from a heart attack in Hollywood in 1969 and was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.