John Emery (May 20, 1905 – November 16, 1964) was an American stage, film, radio and television actor.

Early years

Born in New York City, Emery was the son of stage actors Edward Emery (c. 1861 – 1938) and Isabel Waldron (1871–1950). He was educated at Long Island's La Salle Military Academy.

Film

Through the late 1930s to the early 1960s, Emery appeared in supporting roles in many Hollywood films, beginning with James Whale's The Road Back (1937) and ranging from Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound to Rocketship X-M.

Stage

Emery appeared on Broadway in John Brown (1934), Romeo and Juliet (1934-1935), The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1935), Flowers of the Forest (1935), Parnell (1935-1936), Alice Takat (1936), Sweet Aloes (1936), Hamlet (1936-1937), Antony and Cleopatra (1937), Save Me the Waltz (1938), The Unconquered (1940), Liliom (1940), Retreat to Pleasure (1940-1941), Angel Street (1941-1944), Peepshow (1944), The Relapse (1950), The Royal Family (1951), The Constant Wife (1951-1952), Anastasia (1954-1955), Hotel Paradiso (1957), and Rape of the Belt (1960).

Peepshow was the first production in which Emery and his second wife, Tamara Geva, appeared together.

Television

Emery was also known for his television work, appearing on programs like I Love Lucy and Have Gun Will Travel. In 1946 he starred in a radio program as detective Philo Vance.

Personal life

The only husband of Tallulah Bankhead, the two married on August 31, 1937 in Jasper, Alabama and were divorced on June 13, 1941 in Reno, Nevada. The two remained friendly after their marriage. Emery later married dancer Tamara Geva. Due to their resemblance, Emery was often rumored to be the illegitimate child of John Barrymore. As a child, Emery roomed for a while with Barrymore and his first wife, Katherine Corri.

From 1961 to 1964, Emery was romantically involved with actress Joan Bennett, who cared for him during his final illness.

Death

Emery died on November 16, 1964 in New York City, aged 59.