Roger Converse

Originally born in Santa Barbara, CA, he was educated at Hollywood High School where he was noted as both a star pupil and athlete graduating with several scholastic achievements in 1929. Upon graduation, he intended to enroll in college to study medicine but with the beginning of the Great Depression he put his higher education aspects aside and went straight into the workforce first as a men's fashion model and later on a fitness instructor.

A lifelong California native, he would later enjoy a short yet moderately successful career as a motion picture actor of the late 1930's.

In late 1936, he was discovered by an MGM talent scout during the course of an exercise class at the Los Angeles Athletic Club and was brought into MGM studios for screen and wardrobe testing citing him be 'a fine figure of masculinity with a nice round face'.

After making his debut in Bad Guy (1937) he later made a name for herself as popular supporting player of the late 1930s playing second fiddle to such legends as James Stewart, Maureen O'Sullivan, Walter Pidgeon, Robert Montgomery, Virginia Bruce, Herbert Marshall, Tyrone Power, Norma Shearer, and Melvyn Douglas.

During his time at MGM Studios, he became a close friend of actor James Stewart whom he was befriended by during the filming of 'The Shopworn Angel (1938).

In 1939, following his appearance in Calling Dr.

Kildare (1939), he retired from acting to focus on his new found marriage and to start a family. Making wise investments in motion pictures and oil, he lived comfortable life in Los Angeles, California, where he spent the remainder of his days active in Republican politics, his church, and community.

He supported the HUAC Hearings of the 1940s and was one of many who named names of supposed communists believed to be floating around in the film industry of the time.

His only son, Roger Jr., died on July 3, 1954, at the age of 14.