J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson — the actual photos

The new film J. Edgar takes the well-known relationship between long-time FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover (Leonardo diCaprio) and his long-time FBI number-two Clyde Tolson  (Armie Hammer) and develops it into a major theme.   What do we actually know about it?  Hoover and Tolson worked together more than 40 years.  They traveled together on vacation and official business, rode to work together, shared lunch nearly every day at Washington’s Mayflower hotel and sometimes even wore matching suits. 


Hoover, at his death, left Tolson most of his estate. Their relationship, by all appearances, was stable, discreet and long-lasting. But what they did physically behind closed doors, if anything, they kept between them.


Photos like these from the 1930s of Hoover and Tolson together, however, tell a story:

Hoover and Tolson are in the middle, wearing matching suits.
Hoover and Tolson attending a prize fight in New York City. 

Again, Hoover and Tolson stand in the middle, with matching suits and spats.

Hoover sits at his desk, and Tolson stands directly behind him, hand on Hoover’s chair.
Hoover and Tolson on vacation.

Tolson and Hoover, as played by Leonardo DiCaprio (on right) and Armie Hammer (on left).

9 thoughts on “J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson — the actual photos

  1. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be
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  2. A photo is worth a thousand words or more, or even a movie. The pictures are actually rather touching. The details of their relationship may not be known, but that is not so important- they were obviously very, very close, and they shared something good with each other.

  3. I just saw the movie and started web surfing for more into on the pair. My final analysis I think JEH has a love for CT and was faithful to the end. I am sad that they were not able to profess that love to the world. I think if they were able he would not have been so mean and angry. I am happy Nixon didn't get to his files…Thank you Ms. Gandy

  4. the previous comments are very nice now that they're dead but the reality is now as it was then that many people are fearful and hateful of others that are different from themselves. I won't ask God to help mankind because many if not most use God to hurt mankind

  5. It is sad to see they could have been a couple and at the same time he would have been an enemy to gay people and their lives together. That is horrible and unforgivable.

  6. This man was a tyrant -I haven't seen the movie and don't intend to bc I don't like to waste my time on (even if based only on some of the previous comments) tempering of history. In the eye of what this fella did to his country (and thereby the world) his homosexuality is meaningless bc his position and behavior are so unique and are neither representative nor to explain with being gay. He blackmailed many important figures up to presidents and not only took a major role in the cover-up, he must have known of the plan, or more likely took part in the assassination of the last real people's president and additionally the subversion of democracy. Thank you!

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