About John Darrow
Lived 1907 – 1970 (aged 62). John Darrow was an American actor and talent agent.
John Darrow (born Harry Simpson; 17 July 1907 – 24 February 1980) was an American actor of the late silent and early talking film eras. He is the uncle of actress Barbara Darrow.
Biography
Born in Leonia, New Jersey in 1907, Darrow began acting in theater with a stock company, right after graduating high school. Shortly after, he would begin his film career with a featured role in the 1927 silent film, High School Hero. After several films with featured roles, he was cast as the lead in 1931's The Lady Refuses, which co-stars Betty Compson and was directed by George Archainbaud. He would spend the next five years in leading man or featured roles, before retiring from acting in 1935. He would appear in five films that year, although four of them were produced in 1934. His final screen appearance would be in a supporting role in Annapolis Farewell.
Although he retired from acting, he did not leave the film industry and instead continued on to become a very successful agent.
Filmography (Per AFI database)
Long Pants (1927) - Minor Role The High School Hero (1927) - Bill Merrill Avalanche (1928) - Verde Prep and Pep (1928) - Flash Wells The Racket (1928) - Dave Ames The Argyle Case (1929) - Bruce Argyle Girls Gone Wild (1929) - Speed Wade Cheer Up and Smile (1930) - Tom Hell's Angels (1930) - Karl Armstedt Primrose Path (1931) - Buck Randall Ten Nights in a Bar Room (1931) - Frank Slade The Lady Refuses (1931) - Russell Courtney Everything's Rosie (1931) - Billy Lowe Fanny Foley Herself (1931) - Teddy The Bargain (1931) - Roderick White Alias Mary Smith (1932) - Robert Hayes The Midnight Lady (1932) - Bert Probation (1932) - Nick Jarrett Forbidden Company (1932) - Jerry Grant The All American (1932) - Bob King Maizie (1933) - Boyd Kenton Midshipman Jack (1933) - Clark Simpson The Big Chance (1933) - Knockout Frankie "Rocky" Morgan The Big Race (1933) - Bob Hamilton Strange People (1933) - Jimmy Allen Monte Carlo Nights (1934) - Larry Sturgis Flirtation Walk (1934) - Chase I Like It That Way (1934) - Harry Rogers The Curtain Falls (1934) - Allan Scorsby I Give My Love (1934) - Alex Blair Square Shooter (1935) - Johnny Lloyd Symphony of Living (1935) - Richard Grieg A Notorious Gentleman (1935) - Terry Bradford Eight Bells (1935) - Carl Annapolis Farewell (1935) - Porter
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Important facts
Family & relationships
People in John Darrow's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Darrow's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Darrow?
American actor
When was John Darrow born?
John Darrow was born on 17 July 1907 in Leonia.
When did John Darrow die?
John Darrow died on 24 February 1970 in Malibu.
What was John Darrow's occupation?
John Darrow was an actor and talent agent.
What nationality was John Darrow?
John Darrow was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Darrow. https://biography.guide/john-darrow/
MLA: "John Darrow." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-darrow/.
Chicago: "John Darrow." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-darrow/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
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