AllMovie

Slight, owlish American actor Francis Pierlot made his film debut in 1914, but it wasn't until 1931 that he abandoned the stage to settle permanently in Hollywood. Pierlot generally essayed minor roles, showing up briefly but memorably as scores of judges, professors, priests, and orchestra leaders. Film buffs have a special place in their hearts for the actor's sly portrayal of lovable pyromaniac Nero Smith in 1942's Henry Aldrich, Editor. Francis Pierlot made his final screen appearance in a surprisingly sizeable role as Jean Simmons' manservant in the 1953 biblical epic The Robe.