Biography
Unable to meet the exacting academic requirements of the Naval Academy, Colorado-born Tom Tully entered the service branch of his choice as a common seaman. Following this, Tully worked as a junior reporter for the Denver Post. He decided to become a radio actor simply because the money was better. After several theatrical flops, Tully managed to hitch himself to a success with
Eugene O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness. In 1944, he arrived in Hollywood to appear in
I'll Be Seeing You. Among his many tough-but-tender screen characterizations was the role of the first commander of the "Caine" in 1954's
The Caine Mutiny, a performance which earned Tully an Oscar nomination. From 1954 through 1960, Tom Tully essayed the role of Inspector Matt Grebb on the TV detective series
Lineup (aka San Francisco Beat). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide