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Looking at George Mathews, one would suspect him to be a prize fighter, wrestler or at least a football player. He is one thespian who is never suspected or recognized as being an actor until he is back of the foolights. Further belying his appearance are the facts that his favorite hobby is the gentle, quiet game of chess in which he is so skilled that he has been invited to tournaments all over the world. He is also interested in languages, a taste which suggests contemplative study not usually indulged in by such an athletic type as Mr. Mathews. As he puts it, he has "played 'Robish' or his twin brother in all the crime shows that crowd the video programs." In motion pictures a director with offbeat tast cast him as a Catholic priest in "Sally and St. Ann." Mr. Mathews began his theatrical career playing the American policeman in an otherwise all Italian cast, but since then the roles he has played--with few exceptions--have been characters on the other side of the law. Born in Manhattan and schooled in Brooklyn, he has performed all over the United States as well as in London. In that city he acted the Captain in the Tyrone Power company of "Mister Roberts." Other appearances were in "Barefoot In Athens" with Barry Jones, "Beggars' Opera" at Brandeis University, "The Silver Whistle" with Jose Ferrer, "Antigone" with Katharine Cornell, "A Streetcar Named Desire," not to mention some recent ones. Early in his career Mr. Mathews acted in "Escape This Night," the well remembered "Processional," "Eve of St. Mark," and several short plays by Eugene O'Neill. Like most talented actors, he has also taken part in several of the important summer stock ventures and is constantly in demand for crime shows seen on the television screens. As his colleagues will testify, George Mathews may be tough on stage and screen, but in real life he is one of the most amiable and gentle persons in the profession. |
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