Edward Norris

Septimus Edward Norris, born on March 10, 1911, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was an American actor whose career spanned Broadway, film, and television. His father was a prominent Philadelphia gynecologist described as a chief of staff at the city's largest hospital. Norris left the Culver Military Academy at age 16, married Virginia Bell Hiller, the daughter of a socially prominent physician, and subsequently worked as a newspaper reporter before pursuing a career in performance.

Norris made his Broadway appearance in 1921, taking part in the play Blood and Sand. His stage work preceded a lengthy Hollywood career during which he appeared in more than 70 films over the course of two decades. Among his notable film roles was a starring part in They Won't Forget, a picture based on the Leo Frank case in which Norris played the character analogous to Frank. The film also featured Lana Turner in her debut screen appearance.

Norris transitioned to television in 1951 with two appearances on Fireside Theater. Over the following twelve years he made guest appearances on several programs, including two episodes of Perry Mason: "The Case of the Fiery Fingers" in 1958 and "The Case of the Tarnished Trademark" in 1962. His final screen credit was an episode of The Third Man titled "Ghost Town," after which he retired from film and television.

During World War II, Norris served as a flying instructor with the United States Army Air Forces. Outside of his professional work, he held a civilian pilot's license and was an accomplished skeet shooter who earned ribbons and trophies in competitions across the country.

Norris was married several times. Following his first marriage to Virginia Bell Hiller, he wed actresses Ann Sheridan and Lona Andre. In July 1942, he married a woman who identified herself to reporters as Jane Doe; columnist Jimmie Fidler later revealed her to be June Satterlee, a former nightclub hatcheck attendant. In March 1943, Norris was granted a divorce from Satterlee after testifying that she had married him solely to advance her film career. June Satterlee was the older sister of Peggy Larue Satterlee, who had accused actor Errol Flynn of statutory rape, an incident that occurred in August 1941 when Peggy was 15; Flynn was acquitted in February 1943.

Norris died on December 18, 2002, at Fort Bragg, California, at the age of 91.