Once arrested by the Black and Tans he hid documents in his hair.
Contracted for Warners in the 1930's.
Warners was a studio full of tough guys; Cagney, Brent, Robinson.
Brent was the male lead for the softer stuff.
In another studio it is very doubtful if he would have fulfilled this role.
Although on occassions he was hired out for just that role.
Played opposite greats such as Davis, Stanwyck and the comparisons never did him any favours.
After the WWII played opposite Hedy Lamarr, where finally a leading lady made him look good.
His decline from films was swift, hardly getting into the 1950's.
Then reappearing in Born Again [1978]