Dependable lead and supporting player who usually played solid, sober and sometimes cynical characters. After scoring a triumph on Broadway in Elmer Rice's "Dream Girl" (1945), Corey was signed by producer Hal Wallis, and over the next two decades appeared as combination servant-strongarm henchman to gambler John Hodiak in Corey's debut film, "Desert Fury" (1947), as a homicide detective opposite Loretta Young in the thriller, "The Accused" (1948), as an exhausted mobster in "Any Number Can Play" (1949) and as Frank James in "The Great Missouri Raid" (1951). He later moved into politics, serving as the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Screen Actors Guild and, lastly, as a member of the Santa Monica City Council.
Family
CHILD: Robin Corey.
SON: Jonathan Corey.
DAUGHTER: Jennifer Corey.
DAUGHTER: Bonnie Corey.
Companion
WIFE: Alice Wylie.
Milestone
Worked in department store as washing machine salesman before starting stage career
1934: Amateur stage debut with Springfield Repertory Players in "Street Scene"
1935: Professional stage debut
1942: Broadway debut in "Comes the Revelation"
1945: After success in Broadway production, "Dream Girl", signed by producer Hal Wallis to film contract
1947: Film debut, "Desert Fury"
Starred on TV series, "The Eleventh Hour"
1965: Elected to Santa Monica City Council
1966: Lost bid to become Republican nominee for congressional seat