Living the American Dream! Joseph Calleia, the Maltese actor who conquered Hollywood in the 1930s

Today, a big day for America as the new president is sworn in, the National Archives of Malta shared an image celebrating a Maltese man who, decades ago, set off in pursuit of the American Dream. The photo captured a 1936 dinner organised by the Maltese community in New York, honouring Joseph Calleia - a Maltese actor who became one of Hollywood's most recognised faces, described by IMDb as 'one of Hollywood's most recognised bad guys'.

Born in Rabat, Malta, in 1897, Joseph Calleia wasn’t always destined for the silver screen. When he emigrated to the United States in the early 1920s, he began his journey as a singer, thanks to his distinctive voice. That voice, paired with his striking presence, soon landed him on Broadway stages, where he gained a reputation as a talented actor. Hollywood took notice, and Calleia signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, one of the biggest and most prestigious studios of the era.

Over the course of his career, which spanned more than four decades, Calleia appeared in over 50 films and several stage productions. His Mediterranean looks often saw him cast as intense characters - detectives, villains, and men with deep, complex stories.

One of his most famous performances came in Orson Welles’ noir masterpiece 'Touch of Evil' (1958), where he played the morally conflicted Sergeant Pete Menzies, a role considered one of the highlights of his career. He also shared the screen with Hollywood legend Rita Hayworth in the noir classic 'Gilda', leaving a lasting impression as one of the film’s significant supporting characters.

After a life of entertaining audiences around the world, Joseph Calleia returned to Malta in his later years, where since, the Joseph Calleia Memorial Award has been established, in honour of the inspiring performer. He passed away in Sliema on 31st October in 1975, leaving behind a legacy that continues to make Malta proud.

Have you watched any of Joseph Calleia's films?