Jack Raine

Thomas Foster "Jack" Raine was born on 18 May 1897 and died on 30 May 1979. An English actor, he worked across stage, television, and film over a career spanning several decades, with Broadway appearances between 1931 and 1953.

Raine established himself as a leading man in British cinema during the late 1920s and early 1930s, appearing in films including The Hate Ship (1929), Raise the Roof, Suspense, Night Birds, and The Middle Watch, the latter four all released in 1930. His screen work subsequently shifted toward supporting and character roles, typically portraying figures of authority. Films from this period include The Ghoul (1933), The Clairvoyant (1934), Holiday Camp (1947), Mine Own Executioner (1947), and Easy Money (1948). He also took on the recurring role of Sir Graham Forbes in the Paul Temple film series, appearing in Send for Paul Temple (1946) and Calling Paul Temple (1948). One of his final British films before relocating to Hollywood was No Way Back (1949), a co-starring role opposite Terence De Marney in which he played a small-time gangster, a departure from his usual screen persona.

After moving to Hollywood in the 1950s, Raine continued working in character roles through the 1970s. His American film credits include Julius Caesar (1953), An Affair to Remember (1957), Witness for the Prosecution (1957), My Fair Lady (1964), Doctor Doolittle (1967), The Killing of Sister George (1968), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971).

His television work was equally extensive, with appearances on Perry Mason, Mister Ed, 77 Sunset Strip, The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, Father Knows Best, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Ironside.

On Broadway, Raine appeared in Fast Service and Sherlock Holmes. In the latter production, he portrayed Dr. Watson opposite Basil Rathbone, taking on the role following the death of Nigel Bruce, who had played Watson alongside Rathbone on screen.

In his personal life, Raine was married to musical theatre actress Binnie Hale from 1924 until their divorce in 1934. He was subsequently married to Sonia Phyllis Bellamy and later to Theodora Moreau Wilson.