Edward Norris

Septimus Edward Norris (March 10, 1911 – December 18, 2002) was an American film actor.

Early years Norris was born in 1911, the son of a prominent Philadelphia gynecologist, who was described in a newspaper article as "a famous surgeon and chief of staff at the city's largest hospital." He grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At age 16, he dropped out of the Culver Military Academy to marry a socially prominent physician's daughter, Virginia Bell Hiller, and took a job as a reporter.

Film

Norris performed in over 70 films during his 20+ year career in Hollywood, including appearing with Lana Turner in her debut film role in They Won't Forget, a film that was based on the Leo Frank case, where Norris starred as the character analogous to Frank. See full filmography below.

Television Norris made his television debut in 1951 with two appearances on Fireside Theater.

During the course of his 12-year span on television he made two guest appearances on Perry Mason: "The Case of the Fiery Fingers" (1958) and "The Case of the Tarnished Trademark" (1962). He ended his film and television career the following year when he appeared on an episode of The Third Man, titled "Ghost Town".

Military service Norris was a flying instructor in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.

Personal life After Hiller, Norris was married to actresses Ann Sheridan and Lona Andre. On July 21, 1942, newspaper columnist Harrison Carroll reported that Norris "eloped to Arizona Saturday with a new Hollywood beauty who gave her name as Jane Doe." Another newspaper report said, "An affidavit on file testified that the girl's correct name was Jane Doe." The bride's real name was revealed by columnist Jimmie Fidler on July 30, 1942: "The girl Edward Norris married and introduced to reporters as 'Jane Doe' is June Satterlee, ex-night club hatcheck looker. She's to make a picture to be titled Meet Jane Doe." In March 1943, Norris was granted a divorce from Satterlee "after testifying that she married him solely to further her career in pictures." Mickey June Satterlee was the older sister of Peggy Larue Satterlee, known for accusing Errol Flynn of statutory rape, the incident occurring when Peggy was 15 in August 1941. Both sisters were aspiring actresses. Flynn was acquitted of rape in February 1943.

Norris was an avid shooter and "won many ribbons and trophies in skeet matches throughout the country." He was also a licensed pilot.

Death Norris died on December 18, 2002, at Fort Bragg, California.

Filmography