Gerald Mohr Collection

Gerald Mohr
(1914 – 1968)

A staple in old time radio history, Gerald Mohr performed in over 500 radio plays from the 1930s to the early 1950s.  A natural in detective drama, he excelled at playing the tough-guy rolls such as Philip Marlowe. He also narrated both the radio and television episode introductions.

Born in 1914, Mohr was raised by his mother and grandfather (Gerald Mohr Sr. died when the younger Gerald was three).  Under the guidance of his grandfather, Gerald Mohr attended the distinguished Dwight Preparatory School in New York and entered Columbia University with hopes of becoming a doctor when he fell ill of appendicitis.  His roommate in the hospital was a radio broadcaster and suggested that Mohr look to a career on radio; he was no doubt impressed with Mohr post surgery baritone moans.

Gerald Mohr's big break in radio drama was in Orson Welles Mercury Theatre Company and greatly impressed Welles, who later recommended Mohr for bigger roles in film and old time radio.  He left show business briefly during WWII as he served for three years on United States Air Force (USAF).  Thoughout his performance career, he worked in countless movies, numerous television, animated shows and old time radio series including performances on The Whistler, Lux Radio Theater, Nero Wolfe, Front Page Drama, Dr Christian, and portraying the tough private investigator Philip Marlowe.  Fluent in both German and French, Gerald Mohr played Jacque Monet in Our Miss Brooks.

Often compared to Humphrey Bogart, Mohr pretty much defines "cool" with a smooth delivery of lines and a laid back persona.  There are a few campy b-movies on Gerald Mohr's resume such as Guns, Girls, and Gangsters; Terror in a Haunted House; and Invasion USA.  Shortly after completing the pilot of a new TV series called Private Entrance, Gerald Mohr died of a heart attack in the evening of 9 November 1968, in Södermalm, Stockholm, at the too-young age of 54.