Former Malibu resident Edward Norris, one of classic cinema’s most versatile actors, died on Dec. 18, 2002 at his home in Fort Bragg, Calif. He was 91 years old. A celebration of his life will take place in Malibu on June 15.
A veteran of more than 70 feature films including “Queen Christina” and “Boys Town,” he was best known as one of the kings of B movies thanks to appearances in innumerable second features during the ’30s and ’40s.
The son of a prominent obstetrician, Septimus Edward Norris was born in Philadelphia on March 10, 1911. At 16, he married the daughter of a Philadelphia physician, with whom he had a son, Edward Norris Jr. (1929-1994). He took a job as a newspaper reporter until his marriage ended two years later.
The rebellious Norris spent time on the West Coast where a chance meeting with famed director William Wellman netted him his first film work, as a double for actor Buddy Rogers in the World War I classic, “Wings.”
In 1941 Norris began serving as a pilot instructor for the U. S. Army Air Force, stationed in Southern California.
After he ceased making movies and television appearances, he devoted the remainder of his life to managing his real estate holdings and pursuing his hobbies, including antique car and gun collecting, and raising prize-winning Peruvian Paso horses.
In 1978, a firestorm destroyed his Malibu home. He continued to live in Malibu with his beloved companion, Jeanne Kotler, until her death in 1993. In 1997 he moved to Fort Bragg.
When asked how he’d like to be remembered, Norris replied, “I would like to be remembered as an actor who made the little films which carried the big boring ones. Most of the ones I did were full of action, never boring. I just hope that I am remembered as a good carpenter, a skilled craftsman who never walked through a scene because it was a B picture … “
Norris was married several times, including to actresses Lona Andre, Ann Sheridan and Sheila Ryan. He is survived by two grandchildren, Stephen Norris and Susan Sullivan; four great-grandchildren, Lauren, Meghan, Stephen Jr. and Shelby; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Norris of Malibu; nephew Peter Fay and his children Ben and Molly Fay; and a nephew and niece on the East Coast.