James Ellison (born James Ellison Smith; May 4, 1910 â€" December 23,
1993) was an American film actor who appeared in nearly 70 films from
1932 to 1962.Ellison was born in Guthrie Center, Iowa, the son of
Edward James Smith and Ona Mary Ellis. He worked for a time in a film
laboratory and while there was offered a screen test. He developed the
film footage himself, and after he saw it, decided it was not
satisfactory so he would not show it to the director. But the director
saw it anyway and Ellison got a contract.He spent much of his career
in westerns, including a stint in the mid-1930s as Johnny Nelson, the
sidekick of Hopalong Cassidy in Paramount's highly successful series.
Although he was a "supporting player" in the series, his name is oddly
billed the same size and format as veteran actor and matinee idol
William Boyd's. Though it is not confirmed, this is believed to be
because the character Johnny Nelson is very prominent in the original
Hopalong Cassidy book series.In 1936, he played his highest-profile
role as Buffalo Bill in Cecil B. DeMille's The Plainsman, which also
starred Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur. Although this film was a success,
DeMille reportedly hated Ellison's performance and wanted to be
certain the young actor never appeared in a film of equal quality
again.
1993) was an American film actor who appeared in nearly 70 films from
1932 to 1962.Ellison was born in Guthrie Center, Iowa, the son of
Edward James Smith and Ona Mary Ellis. He worked for a time in a film
laboratory and while there was offered a screen test. He developed the
film footage himself, and after he saw it, decided it was not
satisfactory so he would not show it to the director. But the director
saw it anyway and Ellison got a contract.He spent much of his career
in westerns, including a stint in the mid-1930s as Johnny Nelson, the
sidekick of Hopalong Cassidy in Paramount's highly successful series.
Although he was a "supporting player" in the series, his name is oddly
billed the same size and format as veteran actor and matinee idol
William Boyd's. Though it is not confirmed, this is believed to be
because the character Johnny Nelson is very prominent in the original
Hopalong Cassidy book series.In 1936, he played his highest-profile
role as Buffalo Bill in Cecil B. DeMille's The Plainsman, which also
starred Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur. Although this film was a success,
DeMille reportedly hated Ellison's performance and wanted to be
certain the young actor never appeared in a film of equal quality
again.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.