Biography
Stalwart, curly-haired American leading man and singer, perhaps best remembered for handling the obligatory romantic role in two Marx Brothers comedies, "A Night at the Opera" (1935) and "A Day at the Races" (1937). Jones also played riverboat gambler Gaylord Ravenal opposite Irene Dunne in James Whale's marvelous 1936 adaptation of the stage classic "Show Boat." Possessing a genial personality and a fine baritone, Jones enjoyed modest success in Hollywood for several years without ever attaining the star status of which he seemed capable. He was played up as a second-string Nelson Eddy, and consequently never developed a distinctive persona of his own. One of his best-remembered moments in film was his singing in "The Firefly" (1937) of the tuneful "The Donkey Serenade," which later became something of a trademark song for Jones. After his film career waned, Jones kept busy with singing tours and stage work, including touring companies of shows from "Guys and Dolls" in the 1950s to "Man of La Mancha" in the 1970s. At one time married to actress and singer Irene Hervey, Jones was the father (by Hervey) of singer Jack Jones.
