Tommy Noonan was a comedy genre film performer, screenwriter and producer who acted in a number of high-profile films as well as B movies from the 1940s through the 1960s. He is best known for his supporting performances as Gus Esmond, wealthy fiancé of Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), and as the musician Danny McGuire in A Star Is Born (1954). He also teamed up with Peter Marshall to form a comedy duo that appeared on television, nightclubs, and films. However, his career and life were cut short by a brain tumor that claimed his life in 1968, just five days before his 47th birthday. This article will explore the life and death of Tommy Noonan, and how he left a lasting impression on the comedy world.
Early Life and Career
Tommy Noonan was born Thomas Noone on April 29, 1921, in Bellingham, Washington. He was the younger half-brother of actor John Ireland. His father was a vaudeville comedian and a native of Ireland, and his mother was a piano teacher from Scotland. He attended New York University and made his stage debut with an experimental theater in 1934, along with his half-brother. They later appeared together in three films, including I Shot Jesse James (1949).
Noonan had a repertory company of his own prior to World War II, and served in the United States Navy during the war. He made his film debut in George White’s Scandals (1945), and soon established himself as a comedy actor. He formed a comedy team with Peter Marshall, who was related to him by marriage, in the late 1940s. They worked together only when both were available, and wrote for other comics, such as Rowan and Martin. They appeared in films such as Starlift (1951), FBI Girl (1951), The Rookie (1959), and Swingin’ Along (1962).
Noonan also had a successful solo career, and played memorable roles in films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), A Star Is Born (1954), Bundle of Joy (1956), Promises! Promises! (1963), and Cottonpickin’ Chickenpickers (1967). He also appeared on Broadway in How to Make a Man (1960) and Men to the Sea (1944).
Brain Tumor and Death
In 1967, Noonan was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery to remove it. He recovered well enough to resume his work, and even produced and starred in his last film, Cottonpickin’ Chickenpickers, which was released in 1967. However, the tumor recurred and his condition deteriorated rapidly. He died on April 24, 1968, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. He was buried at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Carole Langley, whom he married in 1952, and six children.
Legacy and Influence
Tommy Noonan was a versatile and talented comedy actor, who could play both straight and comic roles with ease. He had a knack for timing and delivery, and could make any scene funny with his expressions and gestures. He was also a skilled screenwriter and producer, who created his own vehicles and gave opportunities to other comedians. He worked with some of the biggest stars of his time, such as Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Debbie Reynolds, and Jayne Mansfield. He was admired and respected by his peers and fans, and influenced many comedians who came after him. He was a comedy star who left a lasting mark on the film industry, and whose work is still enjoyed by many today.
