Actor. Born Ernest Sharpe at El Reno, in the Indian Territory in what was to become the state of Oklahoma. He started performing on the Broadway stage in 1928 in "A Most Immoral Lady" using his birth name. This was followed by two musicals "The Little Show" and "Hey Nonny Nonny!" He first used the name Erik Rhodes when he appeared on stage in "Gay Divorce" from 1932-1933. This took him to Hollywood where he would twice be featured with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. First in "The Gay Divorcee" in 1934 and again in "Top Hat" in 1935. He made at least another four films that year which included "The Nitwits," "A Night at the Ritz," "Charlie Chan in Paris" and "Another Face." Six films in 1936 include "Two in the Dark," "Special Investigator," "Smartest Girl in Town," "Second Wife," "One Rainy Afternoon" and "Chatterbox." Another five films in 1937 "Woman Chases Man," "Music for Madame," "Fight for Your Lady," "Criminal Lawyer" and "Beg, Borrow or Steal." He made at least four films in 1938 "Say it in French," "Mysterious Mr. Moto," "Meet the Girls" and "Dramatic School." His last film in the pre-war years was "On Your Toes" in 1939. By the end of the war he was very socially active in New York City often seen with the Baron de Gunzburg and the Nordstrom Sisters at popular watering holes such as the Stork Club and 21. Between 1947 and 1964 he was back on Broadway in "The Great Campaign," "Dance Me a Song," "Collector's Item," "Can-Can," "Shinbone Alley," "Jamaica," "How to Make a Man," and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." He made a 1961 guest appearance in the Perry Mason Show "Case of the Violent Vest." Married late in life his wife Emala and he lived in New York City until the early 1980s.
Actor. Born Ernest Sharpe at El Reno, in the Indian Territory in what was to become the state of Oklahoma. He started performing on the Broadway stage in 1928 in "A Most Immoral Lady" using his birth name. This was followed by two musicals "The Little Show" and "Hey Nonny Nonny!" He first used the name Erik Rhodes when he appeared on stage in "Gay Divorce" from 1932-1933. This took him to Hollywood where he would twice be featured with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. First in "The Gay Divorcee" in 1934 and again in "Top Hat" in 1935. He made at least another four films that year which included "The Nitwits," "A Night at the Ritz," "Charlie Chan in Paris" and "Another Face." Six films in 1936 include "Two in the Dark," "Special Investigator," "Smartest Girl in Town," "Second Wife," "One Rainy Afternoon" and "Chatterbox." Another five films in 1937 "Woman Chases Man," "Music for Madame," "Fight for Your Lady," "Criminal Lawyer" and "Beg, Borrow or Steal." He made at least four films in 1938 "Say it in French," "Mysterious Mr. Moto," "Meet the Girls" and "Dramatic School." His last film in the pre-war years was "On Your Toes" in 1939. By the end of the war he was very socially active in New York City often seen with the Baron de Gunzburg and the Nordstrom Sisters at popular watering holes such as the Stork Club and 21. Between 1947 and 1964 he was back on Broadway in "The Great Campaign," "Dance Me a Song," "Collector's Item," "Can-Can," "Shinbone Alley," "Jamaica," "How to Make a Man," and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." He made a 1961 guest appearance in the Perry Mason Show "Case of the Violent Vest." Married late in life his wife Emala and he lived in New York City until the early 1980s.
Bio by: D C McJonathan-Swarm
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