Welles, Orson (1915-1985), was an actor and motion-picture director. While only in his early 20's, Welles was regarded as an important director of stage plays and radio series, in which he also performed. In 1938, his famous Halloween radio production of H. G. Wells's novel The War of the Worlds frightened many listeners by convincing them that Martians had actually invaded New Jersey. On the strength of this sensation, RKO studios hired Welles to write, direct, and act in his own films in Hollywood.