His first sound film was a leading role as a pilot in The Air Circus, which was directed by Howard Hawks and co-starred Arthur Lake and Sue Carol and is considered lost.

After his film career ended he moved to New York City to work in the theatre, garnering at least one role in the short lived 1941 Broadway musical Crazy with the Heat,[14] before retiring from acting.

[15] On at least one of these visits in late 1927, Murnau convinced Rollins to pose nude, with the pool and garden of the Wolf's Lair serving as the backdrop.

Goodwin was a noted novelist, poet and painter[17] and was mentioned multiple times in Christopher Isherwood's diaries.

At that time, Rollins' occupation was cited as a dog fancier at a kennel, and Goodwin was listed as unemployed.

[22] Sometime after 1944 their relationship appears to have ended, as Goodwin's 1994 obituary listed Anthony P. Russo as his long-time friend and companion, with no reference to Rollins.