Tom Ewell

Tom Ewell was an American Tony Award-winning actor.

Born Samuel Yewell Tompkins in Owensboro, Kentucky, Ewell began acting in Summer Stock in 1928 with Don Ameche, before moving to New York in 1931. He enrolled in the Actors Studio alongside classmates Montgomery Clift and Karl Malden. He made his Broadway debut in 1934 and his film debut in 1940, and for several years played comic supporting roles. He attracted attention with a strong performance in the film Adam's Rib and he began to receive Hollywood roles more frequently. Ewell continued acting in Summer Stock through the 1940's: He starred opposite June Lockhart in Lawrence Riley's biographical play Kin Hubbard in 1951, the story of one of America's greatest humourists and cartoonists. With this play, Ewell made also his debut as a producer.