Rose Hobart (1906–2000) was an American stage and screen actress whose career spanned more than four decades, celebrated for her elegance and versatility. She made her Broadway debut in the 1920s before moving to Hollywood, where she appeared in early sound films such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) opposite Fredric March, as well as East of Borneo (1931), later famously reimagined in Joseph Cornell’s 1936 avant-garde film Rose Hobart. Known for her poise and intelligence, she worked steadily in theatre, film, and television, with roles ranging from romantic leads to character parts. Hobart’s career was disrupted during the 1950s when she was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, but she later returned to acting, also becoming active in union work with the Screen Actors Guild. Her life and career reflect both the glamour and challenges of a classic Hollywood actress navigating the shifting tides of American entertainment history.
Bio from the 1938 Program for Tovarich at the Elitch Theatre.
For our leading lady, Elitch’s Theatre is proud to present Miss Rose Hobart, who comes to us for this season with a record to be proud of. She played opposite Noel Coward in “The Vortex,” with Helen Hayes in “What Every Woman Knows.” played opposite Philip Merivale as Gracia in “Death Takes a Holiday,” and many other Broadway successes.
In pictures, Miss Hobart played opposite our own Frederic March in “Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.” She returned to New York to play Cynthia, in “I Loved You Wednesday,” with Humphrey Bogart, and then, Anne in “The Wind and the Rain.”
We are sure that Miss Rose Hobart, with her unusual talent and charm, is going to please you very much
Seasons at the Theatre
Elitch Theatre Productions/Roles:
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- Film
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) – as Muriel Carew, opposite Fredric March in the Oscar-winning classic.
- East of Borneo (1931) – as Doris, in the exotic adventure film later reimagined by Joseph Cornell’s avant-garde short Rose Hobart (1936).
- Conflict (1945) – with Humphrey Bogart and Alexis Smith.
- Tower of London (1939) – in the historical drama with Basil Rathbone and Boris Karloff.
- Madame X (1937) – supporting role in the adaptation of the famous melodrama.
- Stage
- Broadway debut in The Devil in the Cheese (1926).
- Appeared in Strange Interlude (1928), the Pulitzer Prize–winning play by Eugene O’Neill.
- Performed in Twelfth Night and other classical productions during her early career.
- Television
- Guest roles on popular series in the 1950s–60s, including Peyton Place, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Dr. Kildare.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- In 1931, she co-starred with Elitch Alum Fredric March in the film version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931).
Wikipedia Link:
