Marshall Crosby

Joseph Alexander Crosby (18 February 1882 – 1 January 1954) known professionally as Marshall Crosby, was a popular Australian actor and singer of vaudeville, theatre, radio, film and television.

Biography Crosby was born the twelfth of thirteen children in Caltowie, South Australia of Walter Thomas Crosby, an English school teacher and his wife Ann Cameron. After schooling he initially worked as a clerk at the post office, before becoming a telephonist.

He started his professional show business career after auditioning as a baritone with the theatrical company of Leslie Harrison, and worked in vaudeville with Henry Clay and Harry Rickards, he also performed with the Tivoli Theatre before appearing in a number of musicals for J. C. Williamson Ltd, and also in revues and operetta burlesque. In the early 1930s he started to take small roles in films and had parts in Dad and Dave Come to Town, Smithy and Eureka Stockade. He was a leading radio actor, remembered for his role as "Josh Roberts" in the long running ABC radio serial Blue Hills.

He was a supporter of the Labor Party of Australia and a trade unionist involved with the actors union, Actors and Announcers Equity Association of Australia. He married Theresa King on 25 April 1907. He was the father of actor and radio producer Don Crosby, who was an Order of Australia recipient.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1932 His Royal Highness Alfam 1933 Harmony Row Sergeant 1934 Clara Gibbings Tudor 1934 A Ticket in Tatts Mr. Summers 1937 The Broken Melody Rowing Trainer 1937 The Avenger Detective Sergeant O'Neill 1938 Dad and Dave Come to Town Ryan Sr. 1940 Dad Rudd, MP Ryan Reprised his role from Dad and Dave Come to Town 1940 Wings of Destiny Francis Jamieson 1941 That Certain Something Stephen Appleby 1941 Racing Luck Sir Reginald Franklin 1946 Smithy Arthur Powell 1946 The Overlanders Minister 1949 Eureka Stockade Sullivan, the postmaster Uncredited1952 Kangaroo Gambler Uncredited, (final film role)