Romney Brent

Romney Brent (born Romulo Larralde; 26 January 1902 – 24 September 1976) was a Mexican actor, director and dramatist. Most of his career was on stage in North America, but in the 1930s he was frequently seen on the London stage, on television and in films.

Early life Born Romulo Larralde 26 January 1902 in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, his father was a diplomat, and Brent was educated in several cities throughout the world, especially in New York City.

Career He studied for the stage under Theodore Komisarjevsky and began work as an actor with the Theatre Guild in He Who Gets Slapped when he was 20 and later that year was on Broadway in their production of The Lucky One by A. A. Milne. He established a reputation in "gentle, ingratiating" roles, such as the Lion in George Bernard Shaw's Androcles and the Lion, the worried groom in Shaw's Getting Married and Launcelot Gobbo in The Merchant of Venice.

In New York in the 1930s, Brent created the role of the Rev Phosphor Hammingtrap in Shaw's The Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles, which he also directed. In 1946, Brent directed and appeared (as Caius) in another touring Shakespeare play produced by the Theatre Guild, The Merry Wives of Windsor. In September 1965, Brent went to Manila, the Philippines, to direct a stage production of the Broadway musical Carnival (for then St. Paul College, now St. Paul University, Manila) with the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

On television he appeared on Pulitzer Prize Playhouse, Somerset Maugham TV Theatre, Robert Montgomery Presents, Suspense, Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Kraft Theatre, Playhouse 90, Zorro and The Adventures of Jim Bowie. He portrayed the French detective Maigret in an episode of Studio One, and Dr. Armstrong in a 1959 NBC TV film of Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians.

Personal life and death During the last seven years of his life, he taught drama in Mexico City. Brent was married to the American actress and singer Gina Malo. He died at the age of 74 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1936 East Meets West Dr. Shagu 1937 Head Over Heels Matty 1937 The Dominant Sex Joe Clayton 1937 Dreaming Lips Peter Lawrence 1937 Under the Red Robe Marius 1937 Who's Your Lady Friend? Fred 1937 School for Husbands Morgan Cheswick 1937 Dinner at the Ritz Jimmy Raine 1938 His Lordship Goes to Press Pinkie Butler 1939 On the Night of the Fire Jimsey Jones 1940 The Middle Watch Ah Fong 1940 Let George Do It! Slim Selwyn 1948 The Adventures of Don Juan King Phillip III 1950 Director 1955 The Virgin Queen French Ambassador 1957 Don't Go Near the Water Mr. Alba - Melora's Father 1958 Screaming Mimi Charlie Weston