Anecdotes

His racy reputation for hosting "wild" parties at his home caught up with him and a sex scandal erupted. In 1943 he was sentenced to five years probation for perjury during a loosely connected rape trial. The Hays Office effectively blacklisted him from the top studios for his disgrace. The remainder of his career was spent doing a few plays in New York and low-budget "B" pictures and serials.

His third wife, the former Louise Brooks Cromwell of Philadelphia society, had formerly been married to Gen. Douglas MacArthur (his first wife).

Had bad luck with his homes. A $42.000 mansion burned to the ground in the California fires of October 1935, and a December 1936 coastal storm undermined two of his homes, which slid into the ocean along with $12,000 worth of antique furniture. The actor's Maryland estate, which had served as a honeymoon retreat for the Duke of Windsor and Duchess of Windsor, was burglarized twice in August 1937.

Has the distinction of being the only actor to appear in five of the eight Frankenstein films released by Universal from 1931-48. He appeared in Son of Frankenstein (1939), Le Fantôme de Frankenstein (1942), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), La Maison de Frankenstein (1944) and La Maison de Dracula (1945).

In 1930 Atwill wed the former Mrs. Douglas MacArthur, a prominent socialite who was married to the famous general from 1922 to '29.

First son John Anthony Atwill, by first wife Phyllis Relph, was a WWII flying officer with the Royal Air Force killed in action in 1941. A second son, Lionel Anthony Guille Atwill, was born to him late in life (at age 60) by last wife, Mary Paula Pruter. Atwill died six months later.

Acquired the nickname "Pinky" due to his reddish-tinged hair, which darkened over the years.

For the last couple of years of his life he was gravely ill with cancer but refused to give up working.

Fred Bickle, later to be known professionally as Fredric March, understudied Atwill in the early '20s.

Played the title role in the play "Napoleon," but it ran for only 12 performances in 1928. Atwill made headlines when he verbally abused the critics who had panned the show from the stage.

Died before completing his work on Lost City of the Jungle (1946). His remaining scenes were completed using a double.

Came to the U.S. in 1916. He was honored at a 1925 banquet where Bela Lugosi was also in attendance.

Excelled at playing sleazy, creepy villains - mainly in horror films.

On August 3, 2018, he was honored with a day of his film work during the TCM Summer Under The Stars.

Educated at Mercer's School, London.

Didn't begin acting in films properly until the early 1930s. Before then, Lionel Atwill focused on the theatre.

Although primarily a character actor/supporting player, he did have several leading film roles.

Great-grand-uncle of Gregg Atwill.

Screen and stage actor.

Profiled in "Character Actors in Horror and Science Fiction Films, 1930-1960" by Laurence Raw (2012).

According to Kenneth Anger's book "Hollywood Babylon", Atwill was, when not working, often to be found in attendance at murder trials.