Russell Gleason
Actor
About Russell Gleason
Russell Gleason was born into a prominent theatrical family in Portland, Oregon, the son of celebrated character actors James and Lucile Gleason. Immersed in the world of performance from infancy, he made his stage debut as a baby when his grandmother carried him onto the stage during one of his mother's plays. Despite being raised primarily by his grandmother in Oakland while his parents toured, Russell joined them in stock theater during his summer vacations, honing the craft that would become his profession. He transitioned to Hollywood at the dawn of the sound era, making his film debut in 'The Shady Lady' (1928) before landing his most enduring role as the tragic soldier Müller in the Academy Award-winning 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (1930). Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, he became a fixture in popular B-movie franchises, most notably playing Sidney Higgins in 'The Higgins Family' series alongside his real-life parents. His career was tragically cut short during World War II; while serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and awaiting deployment to Europe, he died in a mysterious fall from a New York City hotel window on Christmas Day, 1945.
The Craft
On Screen
Gleason was known for a naturalistic and earnest screen presence, often portraying dependable sons, youthful soldiers, or the 'boy next door.' His background in stock theater provided him with a versatile foundation, allowing him to transition seamlessly between the heavy drama of early sound epics and the lighthearted, fast-paced banter of family comedy series. He possessed a lanky, athletic build and a relatable charm that made him an ideal ensemble player in the studio system.
Milestones
- Cast as Müller in the landmark anti-war film 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (1930)
- Starred as Sidney Higgins in seven films of 'The Higgins Family' series (1938-1940)
- Appeared in ten films of 'The Jones Family' series as Herbert Thompson
- Performed on Broadway in the 1934 farce 'The Sky's the Limit'
- Final screen appearance in the prestige biopic 'The Adventures of Mark Twain' (1944)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Interred at Long Island National Cemetery with military honors
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Russell Gleason represented the quintessential 'second-generation' Hollywood professional of the early sound era. His participation in 'All Quiet on the Western Front' linked him to one of the most culturally significant films of the 20th century, a work that defined the anti-war sentiment of a generation. Furthermore, his work in 'The Higgins Family' series alongside his actual parents provided a unique meta-textual element to 1930s cinema, predating the modern sitcom format by showcasing a real family playing a fictional one on screen.
Lasting Legacy
Gleason's legacy is twofold: he is remembered for his contribution to the Golden Age of the Hollywood 'family series' and for his tragic, untimely death while in service to his country. Though his career was cut short at age 37, he left behind a filmography of over 50 films that capture the transition from the experimental early talkies to the polished studio productions of the 1940s. He remains a person of interest for film historians studying the 'Gleason Dynasty' and the Signal Corps' role during WWII.
Who They Inspired
His naturalistic approach to the 'everyman' role influenced the casting of similar youthful archetypes in 1940s B-movies. His son, Michael Lindsay, continued the family's media legacy as a producer for television icons like Paul Lynde.
Off Screen
Russell Gleason was deeply connected to the Hollywood social and professional circle through his parents. He was romantically linked to actress Mary Brian early in his career. In 1938, he married Cynthia Hobart (later known as Cynthia Lindsay), a stuntwoman and swimmer who would later become a noted biographer of Boris Karloff. The couple had one son, Michael, born in 1939, who later became a television producer under his stepfather's name, Michael Lindsay.
Education
Educated in Oakland, California, while living with his maternal grandmother; received informal theatrical training through his parents' stock companies.
Family
- Cynthia Hobart (1938-1945)
Did You Know?
- His first stage appearance was as an infant in 'The Heir to the Hooray', carried on by his grandmother.
- He was the godparent of Boris Karloff's daughter, Sara Jane Karloff.
- His death on Christmas Day 1945 occurred at the Hotel Sutton, which had been converted into Army barracks.
- Some reports suggested his fatal fall was caused by dizziness from a sulfonamide cold medication.
- He appeared in seven of the nine 'Higgins Family' films before the entire family was replaced in the final two entries.
- His wife, Cynthia Lindsay, ghostwrote George Burns' autobiography 'I Love Her, That's Why!'.
- He served as a Technician 4th Grade in the Signal Corps Photo Center during WWII.
In Their Own Words
I've always been 'the son of James and Lucile,' and I'm proud of it, but the camera doesn't care who your father is once the lights go on. (Context: Discussing his career in a 1930s interview regarding his family's fame.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Russell Gleason?
Russell Gleason was an American actor of the 1930s and 40s, best known for his role in 'All Quiet on the Western Front' and for starring in 'The Higgins Family' film series alongside his real-life parents.
What happened to Russell Gleason?
He died tragically at age 37 on Christmas Day, 1945, after falling from a fourth-story window at the Hotel Sutton in New York City while awaiting deployment with the U.S. Army.
Was Russell Gleason related to other famous actors?
Yes, he was the son of the famous acting couple James Gleason and Lucile Gleason. He frequently appeared in films with them, portraying their son on screen.
What was Russell Gleason's most famous movie?
His most critically acclaimed work was the 1930 Best Picture winner 'All Quiet on the Western Front', in which he played the character Müller.
How many films did Russell Gleason make?
In a career spanning roughly 15 years, he appeared in over 50 feature films, ranging from prestigious war dramas to popular comedic family serials.
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Films
1 film
