Franchot Tone,1904-1981, came from a wealthy New York family and travelled the world with his parents before going to Cornell university where he became interested in acting. He went on the stage and was involved with the Actors Studio. In 1932 he went to Hollywood and appeared  in The Wiser Sex with Claudette Colbert. He became a matinee idol leading man and was often involved with his leading ladies off screen as well as on.

Tone showed his wider ability in Mutiny on the Bounty in 1935, for which he was nominated for an Oscar. He tried to leave film acting and return to the Broadway stage but MGM held him to his contract and he continued to work in films and later television until his death.