James Newill

James Morris Newill (August 12, 1911 – July 31, 1975), sometimes credited as Jim Newill, was an American actor and singer.

Early life Newill was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Mayme Newill and her first husband. His parents divorced, and his mother married John W. Newill, who adopted him. Newill had three siblings, Evelyn, Clyde, and Calvin. In 1930, his family moved to Los Angeles Country, California. He studied music at the University of California.

Career Newill began to sing in the early 1930s with the Mann Brothers, a west coast band whose home base was Spokane, Washington. In 1932, he was vocalizing with the Phil Harris band at the Cocoanut Grove night club at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. In the beginning of 1933, he toured and sang with the Gus Arnheim orchestra, and that included more performances at the Cocoanut Grove. He was still performing with the Arnheim band in the late 1934. Of the 22-film series, Newill co-starred in the first 14, along with co-stars Dave O'Brien and Guy Wilkerson. He played Texas Ranger Jim Steele. In some of his westerns, he's also credited with co-writing some of the film songs.

His last film was 1944's Gunsmoke Mesa.

With his somewhat operatic voice, he sang with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera. In 1944 he made his Broadway debut as Sergeant Tim O'Hara in Vernon Duke's Sadie Thompson with June Havoc in the title role. He also portrayed Yellow Foot, Pawnee's Messenger (replacing original cast member Walter John) in the original Broadway run of Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun in 1947-1948.

Death Newill died on July 31, 1975, from cancer.

Discography The Lord Is My Shepherd (1953)

Filmography

The Affair of Susan (1935) - Singer (uncredited) Sing While You're Able (1937) - Radio Singer Renfrew of the Royal Mounted (1937) - Sergeant Renfrew Something to Sing About (1937) - Jimmy - Band Member On the Great White Trail (1938) - Sergeant Renfrew Fighting Mad (1939) - Sergeant Renfrew Crashing Thru (1939) - Sgt. Renfrew Yukon Flight (1940) - Sgt. Renfrew Danger Ahead (1940) - Sgt. Renfrew Murder on the Yukon (1940) - Sgt. Renfrew Sky Bandits (1940) - Sgt. Renfrew The Great American Broadcast (1941) - Singer The Falcon's Brother (1942) - Paul Harrington The Rangers Take Over (1942) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele Bad Men of Thunder Gap (1943) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele West of Texas (1943) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele Bombardier (1943) - Capt. Rand Border Buckaroos (1943) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele Fighting Valley (1943) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele Trail of Terror (1943) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele The Return of the Rangers (1943) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele Boss of Rawhide (1943) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele Outlaw Roundup (1944) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele Guns of the Law (1944) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele The Pinto Bandit (1944) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele Spook Town (1944) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele Brand of the Devil (1944) - Jim Steele Gunsmoke Mesa (1944) - Texas Ranger Jim Steele (final film role)