Quietly intense, highly talented member of Orson Welles' Mercury Theater, a former drama critic who went to Hollywood with the director to act (as a drama critic) in "Citizen Kane" (1941) and stayed to enjoy success on screen, TV and stage alike over the next four decades. Tall, wavy-haired and gentlemanly, with a trace of a Southern drawl and attractive if unconventional features, Cotten developed great versatility during his 1930s stage work which would serve him well in one of the most impressive strings of performances any Hollywood actor achieved in the 40s.Older than the conventional new
Paid for studies at the Hickman School by playing center on a professional football team and by selling vacuum cleaners
Moved to New York but, unable to get an acting job, sold paint for two years
Moved to Miami; worked as a potato salad merchandiser and later sold ad space and wrote drama reviews for "Miami Herald"; also acted in plays staged by the Miami Civic Theatre over the course of five years
1930
Became assistant stage manager for David Belasco and understudied two productions: "Dancing Partner" and "Tonight or Never" in NY
