His on-screen persona became so famous he was able to convince Lloyd's of London to issue an insurance policy for $10,000, in the Depression-era 1930s, against damage to his professional reputation should anyone ever obtain a photograph of him smiling.
I speedily realized that I was not destined to cause the ladies to
swoon with romantic ecstasy as they watched me make love to one of
their sex. I have also divined that comedy and not romantic acting was
my special forte.
