Thomas Coley was a distinguished American actor and writer whose career spanned stage, screen, and television across more than four decades. Born in Bethayres, Pennsylvania in 1913, Coley made his Broadway debut in the late 1930s and would go on to appear in a remarkable variety of productions, from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew to beloved American classics like Our Town and Harvey. He also worked as a playwright, penning works such as The Happiest Years, and appeared on television in numerous dramas and anthology series, in addition to roles in films, including Dr. Cyclops (1940).
In the summer of 1959, Coley brought his considerable talents to the Elitch Theatre, serving as the leading man for the summer season and captivating Denver audiences with his stagecraft and presence.
Coley shared a lifelong partnership with fellow actor and writer William Roerick, with whom he also collaborated creatively; their relationship is documented in theatre histories as part of the mid-20th-century American stage world. Thomas Coley passed away in 1989, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances and contributions to American theatre.
Seasons at the Theatre
- 1959
Productions/Roles:
Notable Roles, Awards, and Other Work:
- The Taming of the Shrew — 1935; Broadway appearance as Joseph.
- Our Town — Thomas Coley appeared on Broadway in Our Town in 1969 as Howie Newsome. This was in the revival production that ran from November 27 to December 27, 1969.
- Harvey — Coley appeared in Harvey on Broadway during its original long run from November 1, 1944 to January 15, 1949. He is credited as a replacement performer in the role of Lyman Sanderson, M.D., joining the cast during the course of the show’s Broadway engagement at the 48th Street Theatre.
- Dr. Cyclops — 1940; feature film produced by Paramount Pictures, now regarded as an early Technicolor science-fiction classic
- The Happiest Years — 1950s; Coley is credited as a co-writer of The Happiest Years, a Broadway play that opened at the Lyceum Theatre on April 25, 1949. He co-authored the play with his partner, William Roerick, and it is listed in Broadway records with both as the playwrights.
Elitch Theatre Connections:
- Thomas Coley and Antoinette Perry: worked together on Broadway (Harvey), directed by Perry.
- Coley appeared in the Perry Mason episode, The Case of the Irate Inventor, with Alum, Raymond Burr.
Wikipedia Link:
