Marshall Crosby

Marshall Crosby (18 February 1882 – 1 January 1954) born as Joseph Alexander Crosby, was a popular Australian actor and singer of vaudeville, theatre, radio, film and television.

Crosby was born the twelfth of thirteen children in Caltowie, South Australia of Walter Thomas Crosby, a Scottish school teacher and his wife Ann Cameron. After schooling he initially worked as a clerk at the post office, before becoming a telephonist.

He started his professional show business career after auditioning as a baritone with the theatrical company of Leslie Harrison, and worked in vaudeville with Henry Clay and Harry Rickards, he also performed with the Tivoli Theatre before appearing in a number of musicals for J. C. Williamson Ltd, and also in revues and operetta burlesque. In the early 1930's he started to take small roles in film's and had parts in Dad and Dave Come to Town, Smithy and Eureka Stockade. He was a leading radio actor, remembered for his role as "Josh Roberts" in the long running ABC radio serial Blue Hills.

He was a supporter of the Labour Party of Australia and a trade unionist involved with the actors union, Actors and Announcers Equity Association of Australia. He married Theresa King on 25 April 1907. He was the father of actor and radio producer Don Crosby, who was an Order of Australia recipient.