---
name: "Ray Collins"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ray-collins"
fi1m_id: "ray-collins"
imdb_id: "nm0172615"
tmdb_id: 14518
wikidata_id: "Q1550341"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "10 December 1889"
died: "11 July 1965"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 82
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-09-25T08:12:13.181974+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Ray Collins

## Identity

Ray Collins

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ray-collins
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ray-collins
- **IMDb ID:** nm0172615
- **TMDB ID:** 14518
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1550341
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Collins_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1550341, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0172615/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14518

Actor. Born 10 December 1889 in Sacramento, California, USA. Died 11 July 1965.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 10 December 1889, Sacramento, California, USA
- **Died:** 11 July 1965
- **Active:** 1941–1958
- **Also known as:** Raymond Bidwell Collins, Ray Bidwell Collins
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 7 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Orson Welles](https://film.one/person/orson-welles.md), [Herman J. Mankiewicz](https://film.one/person/herman-j-mankiewicz.md), [Joseph Cotten](https://film.one/person/joseph-cotten.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 82, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1940s 83 (6), 1950s 74 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 90 to 84 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Romance 3, Crime 2, Thriller 2, Family 1, History 1
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $55m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Collins_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1550341, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0172615/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14518

## Streaming the US now

- **Pluto TV:** [*The Best Years of Our Lives*](https://film.one/film/the-best-years-of-our-lives.md) (90)
- **Tubi:** [*Touch of Evil*](https://film.one/film/touch-of-evil.md) (88)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Ray Collins

> Ray Collins was the man behind the desk: the boss, the judge, the lieutenant, played with a settled weight that made authority look like something he had been born holding. He was rarely the point of a film and almost never the weak part of one.

The Ray Collins we remember is already seated when the scene begins, and he behaves as if the chair were his and everyone else had been waiting for him to fill it. Politicians, lawyers, judges, businessmen, detectives: his parts were the men who had arrived before the hero did, and he gave each of them a stern, comfortable heaviness that could shade, when the writing allowed, into something harder to read. He is not the man you watch. He is the man the man you watch has to get past.

He came to the pictures late and thoroughly prepared. He was on a professional stage at thirteen, in 1902, and by the 1920s had worked through vaudeville, stock companies including his own in Vancouver, several Broadway plays and, by the count usually given, nearly 900 stage roles. The Depression sent him to radio in the early 1930s, and from 1934 he was part of Orson Welles's Mercury Theatre company, taking several parts in the War of the Worlds broadcast alone. When he finally faced a film camera, as the political boss Jim W. Gettys in *Citizen Kane* (1941), he was fifty-one, and the part asked for exactly the settled weight he had spent nearly forty years acquiring.

Welles is the director who understood him best, and the association runs through *The Magnificent Ambersons* (1942), where he is Jack Amberson, to *Touch of Evil* (1958), where he is District Attorney Adair. Our review of *Kane* does not stop on Gettys, and that is fair: Welles keeps the film about Kane. Around the Welles pictures Collins made more than 75 films through the 1950s, among them *The Best Years of Our Lives* (1946), as Mr Milton, and *The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer* (1947), where he showed a comic timing the graver parts seldom called on.

We enjoyed him more than we expected to in *The Racket* (1951), and we are not sure we should have. He plays Welsh, the judicial candidate, as oily in the practised way, corruption worn as good manners, so that he is the most relaxed man in a film where everyone else is either straining or, in Robert Mitchum's case, barely awake. It is a modest film and he does not lift it. He does make his corner of it more comfortable than it deserves to be.

Most people who know the face know it from television, as Lieutenant Arthur Tragg, the shrewd homicide detective of *Perry Mason* (1957–1964), a part he played across 127 episodes. Start with the Welles films, where the weight has somewhere to go. Then, when an afternoon repeat of *Perry Mason* turns up, notice how little he has to do to make a room feel that it is being looked at.

## Biography

Ray Bidwell Collins (also credited as Raymond Bidwell Collins) was an American character actor whose career spanned stock and Broadway theatre, radio, film and television.

Born in Sacramento, California, he began acting professionally as a teenager and accumulated hundreds of stage roles. In the 1930s he worked extensively in radio drama and became a regular with Orson Welles's Mercury Theatre company. He made his feature-film debut in *Citizen Kane* (1941) as political boss Jim W. Gettys and appeared in further Welles films including *The Magnificent Ambersons* (1942) and *Touch of Evil* (1958).

Collins acted in more than 75 films, among them *The Best Years of Our Lives* (1946), *Leave Her to Heaven* (1945), *The Heiress* (1949) and *The Fountainhead* (1949). One of his best-known television roles was Lieutenant Arthur Tragg in the series *Perry Mason* (1957–1964).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (8)

### Performed in (7) — the average rests on these

- *Touch of Evil* (1958), Fi1m 88, as District Attorney Adair — [page](https://film.one/film/touch-of-evil.md)
- *The Racket* (1951), Fi1m 60, as Mortimer Welsh — [page](https://film.one/film/the-racket.md)
- *The Heiress* (1949), Fi1m 90, as Jefferson Almond — [page](https://film.one/film/the-heiress.md)
- *The Best Years of Our Lives* (1946), Fi1m 90, as Mr. Milton — [page](https://film.one/film/the-best-years-of-our-lives.md)
- *The Human Comedy* (1943), Fi1m 66, as Mr. Macauley — [page](https://film.one/film/the-human-comedy.md)
- *The Magnificent Ambersons* (1942), Fi1m 89, as Jack Amberson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-magnificent-ambersons.md)
- *Citizen Kane* (1941), Fi1m 93, as Jim W. Gettys — [page](https://film.one/film/citizen-kane.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Madame Curie* (1943), Fi1m 72, as Lecturer (voice) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/madame-curie.md)

## Complete filmography (98)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Jamaica's Cool Runners: Pushcarts and the Art of Living* (2014), Actor
- *Viva la clase media* (1980), Actor
- *I'll Give My Life* (1960), as John Bradford
- *Touch of Evil* (1958), as District Attorney Adair — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/touch-of-evil.md)
- *Perry Mason* (1957), series, as Lieutenant Tragg
- *Spoilers of the Forest* (1957), as Eric Warren
- *Invitation to a Gunfighter* (1957), as Harris Clayton
- *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Evan Gracie
- *On Trial* (1956), series, as Corbett
- *The Solid Gold Cadillac* (1956), as Alfred Metcalfe
- *Never Say Goodbye* (1956), as Dr. Bailey
- *The Go-Getter* (1956), as J.P. Miller (sometimes called J.B. Miller)
- *The Miracle on 34th Street* (1955), as Judge Harper
- *Texas Lady* (1955), as Mica Ralston (rancher)
- *The Desperate Hours* (1955), as Sheriff Masters
- *The 20th Century Fox Hour* (1955), series, as Callicott, Judge Harper
- *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Herbert Brenner
- *Athena* (1954), as Mr. Tremaine
- *The Halls of Ivy* (1954), series, Actor
- *Climax!* (1954), series, as Jerome Harris
- *Father Knows Best* (1954), series, as Dean Wilson
- *Rose Marie* (1954), as Insp. Appleby
- *Bad for Each Other* (1953), as Dan Reasonover
- *The Kid from Left Field* (1953), as Fred F. Whacker
- *The Desert Song* (1953), as Gen. Birabeau
- *Column South* (1953), as Storey
- *Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation* (1952), as Jonathan Parker
- *Cavalcade of America* (1952), series, as Daniel Webster
- *Dreamboat* (1952), as Timothy Stone
- *Young Man with Ideas* (1952), as Edmund Jethrow
- *Invitation* (1952), as Warren Pritchard
- *I Want You* (1951), as Judge Kenneth Turner
- *The Racket* (1951), as Mortimer Welsh — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/the-racket.md)
- *Reunion in Reno* (1951), as Judge Thomas Kneeland
- *Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm* (1951), as Jonathan Parker
- *You're in the Navy Now* (1951), as Rear Adm. L. C. Tennant
- *Vengeance Valley* (1951), as Arch Strobie
- *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Barton Keyes, Max
- *Summer Stock* (1950), as Jasper G. Wingait
- *The Reformer and the Redhead* (1950), as Commodore Parker
- *Kill the Umpire* (1950), as Jonah Evans
- *Paid in Full* (1950), as Dr. Fredericks
- *Francis* (1950), as Colonel Hooker
- *Free For All* (1949), as A B Blair
- *The Heiress* (1949), as Jefferson Almond — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/the-heiress.md)
- *The Fountainhead* (1949), as Roger Enright
- *It Happens Every Spring* (1949), as Alfred Greenleaf
- *Red Stallion In The Rockies* (1949), as Matthew 'Matt' Simpson
- *The Price of Freedom* (1949), as Thomas Vollmer
- *Hideout* (1949), as Arthur Burdett, alias Philip J. Fogarty
- *Command Decision* (1948), as Maj. Desmond Lansing
- *Studio One* (1948), series, as Gen. Sam Woolery
- *Good Sam* (1948), as Rev. Daniels
- *For the Love of Mary* (1948), as Harvey Elwood
- *The Man from Colorado* (1948), as Big Ed Carter
- *Homecoming* (1948), as Lt. Col. Avery Silver
- *The Swordsman* (1948), as MacCoppin
- *The Senator Was Indiscreet* (1947), as Fred Houlihan
- *A Double Life* (1947), as Victor Donlan
- *The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer* (1947), as Beemish
- *The Red Stallion* (1947), as Perry Barton
- *Trail Street* (1947), as Opening Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- *The Return of Monte Cristo* (1946), as Emil Blanchard
- *The Best Years of Our Lives* (1946), as Mr. Milton — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/the-best-years-of-our-lives.md)
- *Two Years Before the Mast* (1946), as Gordon Stewart
- *Three Wise Fools* (1946), as Judge Watson
- *Crack-Up* (1946), as Dr. Lowell
- *Boys' Ranch* (1946), as Davis Banton
- *Badman's Territory* (1946), as Colonel Farewell / Narrator
- *Night in Paradise* (1946), as Leonides
- *Miss Susie Slagle's* (1946), as Dr. Elijah Howe
- *Up Goes Maisie* (1946), as Mr. Floyd Henderickson
- *Leave Her to Heaven* (1945), as Glen Robie
- *The Hidden Eye* (1945), as Phillip Treadway
- *Roughly Speaking* (1945), as John Chase Randall
- *Can't Help Singing* (1944), as Senator Frost
- *Barbary Coast Gent* (1944), as Johnny Adair
- *The Seventh Cross* (1944), as Wallau
- *The Eve of St. Mark* (1944), as Deckman West
- *The Hitler Gang* (1944), as Cardinal von Faulhaber
- *Main Street Today* (1944), as Otis Bird
- *See Here, Private Hargrove* (1944), as Brodie S. Griffith
- *Madame Curie* (1943), as Lecturer (voice) (uncredited) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/madame-curie.md)
- *Whistling in Brooklyn* (1943), as Grover Kendall
- *Salute to the Marines* (1943), as Col. John Mason
- *Crime Doctor* (1943), as Dr. John Carey
- *Slightly Dangerous* (1943), as Snodgrass
- *The Human Comedy* (1943), as Mr. Macauley — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/the-human-comedy.md)
- *Commandos Strike at Dawn* (1942), as Johan Bergesen
- *The Navy Comes Through* (1942), as Capt. McCall
- *Highways by Night* (1942), as Ben Van Steel, Tommy's Uncle
- *The Big Street* (1942), as Professor B
- *The Magnificent Ambersons* (1942), as Jack Amberson — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/the-magnificent-ambersons.md)
- *Citizen Kane* (1941), as Jim W. Gettys — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/citizen-kane.md)
- *Valley Town: A Study of Machines and Men* (1940), as Mayor (voice)
- *The Trans-Atlantic Mystery* (1932), as Waite
- *Words & Music* (1931), as Mr. Lambert (uncredited)
- *One Way Out* (1931), as Police Sergeant on Bicycle (uncredited)

## Gallery

- ![Promotional photograph of cast for The March of Time radio series, CBS Radio (1931–1937). Cursive handwriting on reverse side of still photo reads "March of Tim](https://film.one/media/person/59021/gallery-6163c281e051.jpg) Promotional photograph of cast for The March of Time radio series, CBS Radio (1931–1937). Cursive handwriting on reverse side of still photo reads "March of Tim — CBS Radio and photographer are uncreditedStamp on label on reverse side of still photo reads as follows:Photograph ByCulver ServiceNew York, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/MOT-Actors-Microphone.jpg/1280px-MOT-Actors-Microphone.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Promotional photograph of cast for The March of Time radio series, CBS Radio (1931–1937). Cursive handwriting on reverse side of still photo reads "March of Tim](https://film.one/media/person/59021/gallery-c96a60949ccb.jpg) Promotional photograph of cast for The March of Time radio series, CBS Radio (1931–1937). Cursive handwriting on reverse side of still photo reads "March of Tim — CBS Radio and photographer are uncreditedStamp on label on reverse side of still photo reads as follows:CULVER PICTURES, INC.660 FIRST AVENUENEW YORK, N. Y. 10016This picture is loaned for one reproduction only. Must not be used for advertising without written permission.Original must be returned within 30 days.Obligatory Credit LineCULVER PICTURES, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/MOT-Actors-Rehearsal.jpg/1280px-MOT-Actors-Rehearsal.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ray Collins](https://film.one/media/person/59021/gallery-213cfa820b02.jpg) Ray Collins — Image via TMDB
- ![Ray Collins](https://film.one/media/person/59021/gallery-75f7554960d1.jpg) Ray Collins — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ray-collins