Regis Toomey (August 13, 1898 – October 12, 1991) was one of Hollywood’s most prolific and recognizable character actors, a familiar and dependable presence who appeared in nearly 200 films and countless television shows over a career that spanned six decades.
Toomey was a trusted supporting player in some of the Golden Age’s most iconic films, often playing detectives, reporters, or other authority figures. His memorable roles include the loyal friend in Frank Capra’s Meet John Doe (1941), a fast-talking reporter in the screwball classic His Girl Friday (1940), and the world-weary police inspector Bernie Ohls opposite Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep (1946).
He transitioned seamlessly to television, where he became just as ubiquitous. His most notable recurring role was as the warm-hearted father, Joe Mulligan, in The Mickey Rooney Show: Hey, Mulligan (1954-1955). He also starred in the police drama Burke’s Law and made guest appearances in nearly every major series of the era, cementing his legacy as one of the hardest-working actors in the business.
