John Qualen
Actor

John Qualen Net Worth

John Qualen was a Canadian-born actor who was active in the first four decades of sound films. He was born to Norwegian parents and grew up in Elgin, Illinois, where he won an oratory contest and was given a scholarship to Northwestern University. He began appearing in tent shows and stock productions before moving to New York and getting his big break in Elmer Rice's Street Scene. He then joined John Ford's stock company and had prominent roles for Ford for the next 35 years. He was known for playing a variety of ethnicities, but was best known for his role as Muley in The Grapes of Wrath. Despite failing eyesight in his later years, he continued to work steadily until his death in 1987. He was also treasurer of The Authors Club and historian of The Masquers. He had three children.
John Qualen is a member of Actor

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actor, Soundtrack, Music Department
Birth Day December 08, 1899
Birth Place  Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Age 120 YEARS OLD
Died On September 12, 1987(1987-09-12) (aged 87)\nTorrance, California
Birth Sign Capricorn
Resting place Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale, California Great Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Reliance, Crypt 9632
Other names John M. Qualen John T. Qualen
Occupation Actor
Years active 1931–1974
Spouse(s) Pearle Larson (1924–1987) 3 daughters

💰 Net worth: $20 Million (2024)

John Qualen, a prominent actor, soundtrack artist, and music department personnel hailing from Canada, is predicted to have a net worth of around $20 million by 2024. With an illustrious career spanning several decades, he has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Qualen's talent and dedication have not only earned him critical acclaim but also substantial financial success. His impressive net worth stands as a testament to his exceptional skills and accomplishments in the field of acting, soundtracks, and music production.

Biography/Timeline

1970

Appearing in well over one hundred films, and acting extensively on television into the 1970s, Qualen performed many of his roles with various accents, usually Scandinavian, often intended for comic effect. Three of his more memorable roles showcase his versatility. Qualen assumed a Midwestern dialect as Muley, who recounts the destruction of his farm by the bank in Ford's The Grapes of Wrath (1940), and as the confused killer Earl Williams in Howard Hawks' classic comedy His Girl Friday (also 1940). As Berger, the jewelry-selling Norwegian resistance member in Michael Curtiz' Casablanca (1942), he essayed a light Scandinavian accent, but put on a thicker Mediterranean accent as the homeward-bound Fisherman Locota in william Wellman's The High and the Mighty (1954)

1987

John Qualen was blind in his later years. He died of heart failure in 1987 in Torrance, California, and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. He was survived by his three daughters.

2013

Qualen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, the son of immigrants from Norway; his father was a Lutheran minister and changed the family's original surname, "Kvalen", to "Qualen" – though some sources give Oleson, later Oleson Kvalen as Qualen's earlier Surnames. His father's ministering meant many moves and John was 20 when he graduated from Elgin High School in 1920. Though he was awarded a scholarship to Northwestern University after he won an oratory contest he never attended college. In a Milwaukee Journal interview he said he needed to start working and did so with the Chattaqua Circuit. Eventually reaching Broadway, he gained his big break as the Swedish janitor in Elmer Rice's Street Scene. His movie career began when he recreated the role in the film version. This was followed by his appearance in John Ford's Arrowsmith (1931) which began a more than thirty year membership in the director's "stock company", with important supporting roles in The Searchers (1956), Two Rode Together (1961), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) and Cheyenne Autumn (1964).

Some John Qualen images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.