Eddie Dowling (December 11, 1889[1] — February 18, 1976) was an American actor, screenwriter, playwright, director, producer, songwriter and composer.
Born Joseph Goucher on December 11, 1889, he was the 14th of 17 children born to a father of French-Canadian descent and a mother of Irish descent in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. His middle name was either "Narcisse" or "Nelson" (varying sources). He took his professional surname from the maiden name of his mother, Bridget Mary Dowling, who was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island. His father was Charles Goucher who was born in St Marcel, Province of Québec, Canada.[1]
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He appeared on stage for many years.[2] His most famous role was as "Tom Wingfield" in the original Broadway production of The Glass Menagerie, opposite Laurette Taylor and Julie Haydon. He produced the play's original Chicago production in 1944, and followed it to Broadway.[2]
He was married to the Glasgow, Scotland-born actress and stage performer, Rachel "Ray" Dooley (née Rice; October 30, 1888 — January 28, 1984) who specialized in physical comedy; they had two children, Jack and Maxine. Jack Dowling died serving in the Second World War.
Eddie Dowling died in Smithfield, Rhode Island in 1976, aged 86. His widow died in 1984, aged 95, in East Hampton, New York on Long Island.
Time magazine described Dowling, who sought the 1934 Democratic nomination for the United States Senate seat from Rhode Island in the following manner, although it is not clear if the entire summary is factual: "His great-grandfather and two great-grand uncles were the founders of Goucher College for Women in Baltimore. He was the 14th in a family of 17 children; his schooling had extended only up to the third grade; he had been a cabin boy and a music hall singer ... and he owned a sausage factory in California."[3]