Actor. He played English types, from aristocrats to butlers, in over 100 films, including "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1932), "Lady for a Day" (1933), "Captain Blood" (1935), "The Story of Louis Pasteur" (1935), "The Prince and the Pauper" (1937), "A Christmas Carol" (1938), "You Can't Take It With You" (1938), "The Sea Hawk" (1941), "To Be or Not to Be" (1942), "Gaslight" (1944), "Mr. Skeffington" (1944), and "Miracle in the Rain" (1956). Herbert Halliwell Hobbes liked to say he was destined for acting because he hailed from the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-On-Avon, England. In fact he first made his name on the London stage in Shakespearean roles. He settled in the United States in 1923 and came to Hollywood at the dawn of the talkie era, becoming one of those ubiquitous character players whose face is familiar but whose name draws a blank. Hobbes' gaunt features weren't entirely what nature intended: he had several teeth pulled to increase the hollowness of his cheeks. He worked steadily until his death at 84.
Actor. He played English types, from aristocrats to butlers, in over 100 films, including "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1932), "Lady for a Day" (1933), "Captain Blood" (1935), "The Story of Louis Pasteur" (1935), "The Prince and the Pauper" (1937), "A Christmas Carol" (1938), "You Can't Take It With You" (1938), "The Sea Hawk" (1941), "To Be or Not to Be" (1942), "Gaslight" (1944), "Mr. Skeffington" (1944), and "Miracle in the Rain" (1956). Herbert Halliwell Hobbes liked to say he was destined for acting because he hailed from the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Stratford-On-Avon, England. In fact he first made his name on the London stage in Shakespearean roles. He settled in the United States in 1923 and came to Hollywood at the dawn of the talkie era, becoming one of those ubiquitous character players whose face is familiar but whose name draws a blank. Hobbes' gaunt features weren't entirely what nature intended: he had several teeth pulled to increase the hollowness of his cheeks. He worked steadily until his death at 84.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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