JOHN EMERY

May 20, 1905

John Emery was born in New York City to stage actors Edward Emery and Isabel Waldron. He was educated at Long Island’s La Salle Military Academy. 

Emery was in 22 Broadway shows between 1934 and 1960, including playing Benvolio to Basil Rathbone’s Romeo, Leartes to John Gielgud’s Hamlet, Caesar in Antony and Cleopatra starring Tallulah Bankhead, and the John Barrymore-like Tony Cavendish in a 1951 revival of The Royal Family, where on opening night he stumbled coming down a stair, tore ligaments in his ankle, and still played the last two acts!

He made his screen debut in James Whale’s 1939 film The Road Back (above left). He made his television debut on a February 1951 episode of “Pulitzer Prize Playhouse” titled “Mary of Scotland” with Helen Hayes in the title role. 

On “I Love Lucy” he played Harold (or Sam) the Tramp in “The Quiz Show” (ILL S1;E5), filmed on October 5, 1951, and first aired on November 12, 1951. 

The tramp shows up looking for a handout, just as Lucy is expecting the man from the radio show pretending to be her long-lost husband.  When Lucy assumes he’s been sent by Freddy Fillmore, the Tramp just plays along!  

Emery was also seen as a grouchy new tenant named Mr. Stewart in “Little Ricky Gets a Dog” (ILL S6;E14) filmed November 8, 1956 and first aired on January 21, 1957. He seems to be the only one standing in the way of Fred (the dog’s) happiness – making Fred (the landlord) pick between his godson and a rent check.  

He also appeared as a doctor in Forever, Darling (1956), also starring Lucy and Desi. 

In 1960 and 1961, he did episodes of Desilu’s “The Ann Sothern Show”, a series that also featured Lucille Ball playing Lucy Ricardo on one episode. 

His final screen role was in 1964′s Youngblood Hawke. 

From 1937 to 1941 he was married to tempestuous Tallulah Bankhead.

“In a way it was like the rise, decline and fall of the Roman Empire.” ~ John Emery, about his marriage to Bankhead

From 1961 until his death, Emery was romantically involved with actress Joan Bennett, who cared for him during his final illness. He died on November 16, 1964 at age 59.