Herbert Rudley was an American character actor known for his versatile career in film, television, stage, and radio over several decades. He was born on March 22, 1910, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rudley’s early interest in the arts led him to study at Temple University before continuing his dramatic education at the Eva Le Gallienne Civic Repertory Theatre in New York City.
His training there laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to acting, grounded in the classical tradition and refined stage technique. Rudley’s career began on the stage, making his Broadway debut in the 1930s with performances in productions like The Threepenny Opera and Macbeth.
Movies
- 1940 Abe Lincoln in Illinois
- 1944 The Seventh Cross
- 1944 Marriage Is a Private Affair
- 1944 The Master Race
- 1945 Brewster’s Millions
- 1945 Rhapsody in Blue
- 1945 A Walk in the Sun
- 1946 Decoy
- 1948 Casbah
- 1948 Hollow Triumph
- 1948 Joan of Arc
- 1954 The Silver Chalice
- 1955 Artists and Models
- 1955 The Court Jester
- 1956 Raw Edge
- 1956 That Certain Feeling
- 1956 The Black Sleep
- 1958 The Young Lions
- 1958 The Bravados
- 1958 Tonka
- 1959 The Big Fisherman
- 1959 The Jayhawkers!
- 1959 Beloved Infidel
- 1960 Hell Bent for Leather
- 1960 The Great Impostor
- 1962 Follow That Dream
- 1980 Falling in Love Again
- 1983 Forever and Beyond (final film role)
His stage presence earned him critical recognition, and he would go on to appear in a number of important theatrical works throughout his life, including Clifford Odets’ Golden Boy and Abe Lincoln in Illinois. During World War II, Rudley served in the U.S. Army,
where he helped establish a theater unit to entertain troops, reflecting his enduring commitment to the performing arts even during wartime. His film career took off in the 1940s, with early roles in The Seventh Cross (1944) and A Walk in the Sun (1945).
TV
- House Calls (1979)
- Dallas (1978) 4 episodes
- Project U.F.O. (1978)
- Griff (1973)
- The New Temperatures Rising Show (1972)
- Love, American Style (1969) 3 episodes
- Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (1971)
- The Partridge Family (1970)
- Barefoot in the Park (1970)
- I Dream of Jeannie (1965)
- Paris 7000 (1970)
- The Debbie Reynolds Show (1969)
- The Mothers-In-Law (1967) 56 episodes
- That Girl (1966)
- Green Acres (1965)
- Mona McCluskey (1965) 26 episodes
- The Munsters (1964)
- My Living Doll (1964) 2 episodes
- Rawhide (1959)
- My Favorite Martian (1963) 2 episodes
- The Jack Benny Program (1950)
- The Joey Bishop Show (1961)
- Temple Houston (1963)
- Leave It to Beaver (1957)
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) 2 episodes
- The Virginian (1962)
- Ben Casey (1961)
- Perry Mason (1957) 4 episodes
- Laramie (1959) 2 episodes
- Thriller (1960)
- Cain’s Hundred (1961)
- Michael Shayne (1960) 28 episodes
- The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955)
- M Squad (1957) 2 episodes
- Peter Gunn (1958)
- Hawaiian Eye (1959) 2 episodes
- Bronco (1958)
- Markham (1959)
- Mr. Lucky (1959)
- The Rifleman (1959–1960) 2 episodes
- Special Agent 7 (1958)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) 2 episodes
- Maverick (1957)
- Men Into Space (1959)
- Lawman (1958)
- General Electric Theater (1953)
- Wichita Town (1959)
- Border Patrol (1959)
- The Bob Cummings Show (1955) 3 episodes
- The Third Man (1959)
- The Magical World of Disney (1954)
- Flight (1958) 2 episodes
- The Texan (1958)
- Lux Playhouse (1958)
- Mike Hammer (1958) 2 episodes
- Have Gun – Will Travel (1957)
- Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre (1955)
- Suspicion (1957)
- Casey Jones (1957)
- The Californians (1957) 4 episodes
- Boots and Saddles (1956)
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) 4 episodes
- Gunsmoke (1955) 2 episodes
- You Are There (1953) 10 episodes
- Navy Log (1955) 2 episodes
- Telephone Time (1956)
- The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (1950) 2 episodes
- Cavalcade of America (1952) 2 episodes
- Wire Service (1956)
- Playhouse 90 (1956)
- The Count of Monte Cristo (1956)
- Big Town (1950) 2 episodes
- The Loretta Young Show (1953) 2 episodes
- Matinee Theatre (1955) 2 episodes
- My Friend Flicka (1955) 2 episodes
- Cameo Theatre (1950)
- Your Play Time (1955)
- Science Fiction Theatre (1955)
- The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (1953) 2 episodes
- Rocky King, Detective (1950) 2 episodes
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) 5 episodes
- Kraft Theatre (1947) 2 episodes
- Police Story (1952)
- Not for Publication (1952) 1 episode
- Cosmopolitan Theatre (1951) 2 episodes
- The Big Story (1949)
- Hands of Mystery (1951)
- Studio One (1948) 4 episodes
- The Web (1950) 3 episodes
- Danger (1950)
- Lights Out (1946)
- Kraft Theatre (1947)
Rudley became known for playing cerebral, often morally complex characters, with a restrained and intelligent screen presence. While rarely cast in leading roles, he brought depth and reliability to his performances, whether portraying doctors, lawyers, or military officers.
Among his many film credits are Rhapsody in Blue (1945), in which he portrayed Ira Gershwin, and Decoy (1946), a noir classic in which he played a police officer trying to untangle a web of crime and deceit. In television, Rudley was perhaps most widely recognized for his role as Herb Hubbard, the husband of Eve Arden’s character, in the popular sitcom The Mothers-in-Law (1967–1969),
produced by Desi Arnaz. His TV work spanned from the 1950s through the 1980s and included guest appearances on dozens of series such as Perry Mason, Bonanza, The Defenders, Ironside, The Rockford Files, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, and Murder, She Wrote. He was a dependable presence in anthology dramas, crime series,
and comedies alike, showcasing a remarkable adaptability to changing television trends. Rudley also had a significant radio career, appearing in programs during the golden age of radio drama. His work in this medium further underscored his strong vocal delivery and timing, traits honed through his stage experience. Though not often celebrated with major awards, his consistency and professionalism earned him the respect of his peers.
He co-founded Players Production, a Los Angeles-based theater company, and remained active in the stage community even while working extensively in film and television. In his personal life, Rudley was married to actress Ann Loring, and the couple had one son. They lived in California for most of their lives, where Rudley continued to act and direct in local theater well into his later years. Herbert Rudley died of a heart attack on Monday, September 9, 2006, in Los Angeles at the age of 96. He was survived by his son, Edward Rudley.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “Herbert Rudley” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Rudley
- IMDB “Herbert Rudley(1910-2006)” https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0748822/
