Masonic Actors, Musicians and Screen Writers  

First Day Cover's

Brother John Wayne

(May 26, 1907 - June 11, 1979)  Marion McDaniel Lodge No. 56, Tucson, Arizona.  Al Malaika Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. Los Angeles California.

Brother Clark Gable

(February 1, 1901 - February 16, 1960)   Beverly Hills Lodge No. 528, Al Malaika Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. Los Angeles, California.

Brother Clark Gable - Major, 8th Air Force

Clark Gable's wife, Carole Lombard, screen star, was returning home from a $2,000,000 War Bond Rally in Indianapolis when she perished in a plane crash.  Shortly thereafter Clark enlisted as a V.O.C. in the U.S. Air Force.   He acquitted himself with honor in air combat and left the service a Major.   Raised in Beverly Hills Lodge No. 528, lodge brother of Doug Fairbanks, Sr.   EDSEL

Brother Glenn Ford   -  "Torpedo Run"

Ford, Served in ETO as Marine photographer and joined in the U.S.N.R. in time to serve as a Commander in Viet Nam and eventually retired a Navy Captain.  Starred as a Submarine Commander and Medal of Honor recepient in one of the better WWII movies that portrayed actual U.S. Submarine incursion into Tokyo Bay.  Ford was, at one time, California Mason of the Year.    EDSEL

Jimmie Rodgers  -   "The Singing Brakeman"

Initiated into Spinks Lodge No. 507 in Meridian Mississippi while still a young Railroad Brakeman he had a short but productive career considering the then state of communications technology.  After recording 111 songs he died from tuberculosis at the age of 36.  First person to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961.  33rd Degree A.A.S.R., Noble in Alzafar Shrine, San Antonio, Texas.    EDSEL

Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe

In 1968 Marilyn got the chance to play opposite her Hero and favorite actor, Academy Award Winner, Clark Gable.  The king died as the shooting on the critically acclaimed "The Misfits" was being finished.   Gable was raised October 31, 1933 in Beverly Hills Lodge No. 528  EDSEL

Marilyn Monroe  -   Golden Dreams

After Joseph Schenck's Colombia Studio dropped her contract her fortunes were sporadic and the offer of $50.00 to do a Nude Photo was too good to turn down.  After her rediscovery by Darryl Zanuck and a new contract it surfaced as Calendar Art.  A nervous studio held its breath.  A collectible worth thousands of dollars today, it helped rather than hurt her career.  Schenck and Zanuck were both Masons.  EDSEL

Brother Bud Abbott

A star of radio and stage his straight-man team up with short, fat and funny Lou Costello for movie productions quickly placed them in the top rank of internationally acclaimed comedy teams.  Their "Who's on First" skit recently got renewed recognition with the release of "Rainman".   Acknowleged Mason and Shriner.  EDSEL

Roy Rogers  -  Giving & Sharing, A Credo

Long known for their adoption of orphans, he and Dale had made over 8,000 charitable appearances many of them for Shrine Circuses benefiting the many Shrine Hospitals for Children.  On his fiftieth anniversary in show business he received this message:  "You have set an example - of clean wholesome entertainment and we have always viewed your work with that warm feeling that comes with knowing and having the honor to be associated with special people, but don't stop now, for the Nation needs you."  signed Ronald and Nancy Reagan.  MM in Hollywood Lodge No. 355, AASR 33rd Degree, Al Malaikah Shrine Temple, Los Angeles, Ca.    EDSEL

Brother Gene Autry - "The Singing Cowboy"

A major movie star by 1941 he applied for Air Force training and prepared by taking private flying lessons.  After training, in 1942, he was assigned to India where he flew over the Himalaya Mountains, (The Hump), hundreds of missions, three years of the toughest flying in the world.  Briefly returned to acting and fmous for the many songs he had written, he is now the owner of a major sports franchise.  M.M. in Catoosa Lodge No. 185.  Life Member Long Beach A.A.S.R. 33 Degree and Al Malaika Shrine, California    EDSEL

Brother Danny Thomas

Asked when he would retire from his rigorous schedule of fund raising for St. Jude's, he replied, "When St. Judes is endowed in perpetuity."  The Grand Architect called him home on February 6, 1993 while he was unrelentingly pursuing that goal.  After filming an introduction to the Masonic Service Association's, "When the band quits playing," on March 15th, 1984, he received all three degrees in Gothic Lodge No. 270, Hamilton Square, New Jersey.  In May, 1985 he became a 32nd Degree AASR L.A. and Noble in Al Malaikah  Shrine.   Soon after President Reagan presented him with the Congressional Gold Medal.   EDSEL

W. C. Fields - The Eccentric Juggler

William C. Fields was born in Philadelphia, Pa. on January 29th, 1880.  Fields, a comedian of stage, motion pictures and radio, spent many years in vaudville and appeared in musical productions on Broadway including the Ziegfield follies and Earl Carroll's Vanities.  He was a member of E. Coppee Mitchell Lodge No. 605 in Philadelphia.  Brother Fields died on Christmas day 1946.

Brother Will Rogers  (1879 - 1935)  American Humorist

Will Rogers petitioned Claremont Lodge No. 53 on January 21, 1905 and received his degrees February 18, 1905, March 10 and 13, 1906.  He was a member of the Scottish Rite and the Akdar Shrine Temple in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He and the pilot, his good friend Wiley Post, were killed in a plane crash near Point Barrow, Alaska - August 15, 1935.  This FDC was sponsored by the Masonic Stamp Club of New York.

Brother Nat "King" Cole

Played the role of W. C. Handy, Father of the Blues" in the biographical movie of Handy's life.  Mason and 33rd Degree A.A.S.R., Cole of international fame as a singer, was a member of Thomas Waller No. 49, Los Angeles, California.  EDSEL

Brother Oliver Hardy

Fat one of the comedy duo, Laurel & Hardy.  From 1926 until 1943, Ollie suffered mute agony as Stan got him into "another fine mess."  The Music Box (1923) earned him an Oscar.  Member Solomon Lodge No. 20, Jacksonville, Florida.   EDSEL

Brother Richard Tucker - Tenor

Debuted as Enzo in La Gloconda" and for many years was Principal Tenor at the Met.  Sang in every opera house in the world as well as recording operas by Vadi & Pucchini.  Member of Perfect Ashlar Lodge No. 604 N.Y.C.  1965 he demitted to Stepping Stone Lodge No. 1141, Great Neck, N.Y.   EDSEL

1878 - Brother George M. Cohan - 1942

Give My Regards to Broadway

A real life nephew of his Uncle Sam -- George M. Cohan was born on July 3rd, 1878.  A life member of Pacific Lodge No. 233, New York City, he was raised on November 16, 1905.  On February 3, 1906 he received his 32nd degree A.A.S.R. (NJ) and was a life member.  He was also a member of Mecca Shrine Temple, New York City.

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