People with >100 Credits for Feature Films with Sound
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- Bess Flowers was born on 23 November 1898 in Sherman, Texas, USA. She was an actress, known for We Faw Down (1928), The Shadow (1937) and Sinister Hands (1932). She was married to William S. Holman and Cullen Tate. She died on 28 July 1984 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.825, 1929-1964; +15 silents since 1923; 805 (uncredited), 17 westerns
- Herman Hack was born on 15 June 1899 in Panola, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Arizona Trails (1935), The Tia Juana Kid (1935) and Range Riders (1934). He was married to Signe Hack. He died on 19 October 1967 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.718, 1930-1967; 712 (uncredited), 663 westerns
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Sam Harris was born on 11 January 1877 in Sydney, Australia. He was an actor, known for The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), Safari (1940) and I Cover the War! (1937). He was married to Constance M.K. Harris . He died on 22 October 1969 in Los Angeles, California, USA.686, 1931-1966; +1 silent since 1928; 684 (uncredited), 45 westerns- Harold Miller was born on 31 May 1894 in Redondo Beach, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Leatherstocking (1924), Desperate Youth (1921) and Very Truly Yours (1922). He died on 18 July 1972 in Los Angeles, California, USA.619, 1929-1964; +19 silents since 1919; 620 (uncredited), 21 westerns
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Lee Phelps was born on 15 May 1893 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for Anna Christie (1930), Scouts to the Rescue (1939) and The Girl from Rio (1939). He was married to Mary Warren. He died on 19 March 1953 in Culver City, Los Angeles, California, USA.612, 1929-1953; +20 silent since 1917; 572 (uncredited), 69 westerns- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Frank O'Connor was born on 11 April 1881 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and director, known for Religious Racketeers (1938), Call of the Circus (1930) and The Lawful Cheater (1925). He died on 22 November 1959 in Los Angeles, California, USA.586, 1929-1958; +34 silents since 1915; 582 (uncredited), 163 westerns- Boston-born Franklyn Farnum was on the vaudeville stage at the age of 12 and was featured in a number of theatre and musical productions by the time he entered silent films near the age of 40. He appeared to be at his most comfortable in the saddle, his career dominated mostly by westerns. Some of his more famous films include the serial Vanishing Trails (1920) and features The Clock (1917), The Firebrand (1922), The Drug Store Cowboy (1925) and The Gambling Fool (1925). In 1925 he left films, but returned five years later at the advent of sound, only to find himself billed much further down the credits, if at all. He continued on, however, in these obscure roles well into the 1950s. Largely forgotten today, he is not related to silent actors and brothers Dustin Farnum and William Farnum. One of his three wives was the ill-fated Alma Rubens, to whom he was briefly married in 1918. Farnum passed away from cancer in 1961.525, 1930-1961; +61 silents since 1916; 488 (uncredited), 148 westerns
- Larry Steers was born on 14 February 1888 in Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for The King of the Kongo (1929), The Secret Garden (1919) and Clipped Wings (1937). He was married to Harriette Mathews. He died on 15 February 1951 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.521, 1929-1952; +54 silents since 1917; 518 (uncredited), 26 westerns
- Actor
- Stunts
Frank Ellis was born on 26 February 1897 in Newkirk, Oklahoma, USA. He was an actor, known for Roll Wagons Roll (1940), Treason (1933) and Elmo the Fearless (1920). He was married to Madonna L. Shelburg, Jessie and Nellie. He died on 23 February 1969 in Saugus, California, USA.517, 1929-1969; +33 silent since 1917; 445 (uncredited), 499 westerns- William H. O'Brien was born on 19 July 1891 in Peak Hill, New South Wales, Australia. He was an actor, known for I've Been Around (1935), Once a Gentleman (1930) and The Sky Raiders (1931). He died on 18 April 1981 in Los Angeles, California, USA.517, 1928-1971; +18 silents since 1918; 527 (uncredited), 47 westerns
- Jeffrey Sayre was born on 3 December 1900 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Men of San Quentin (1942), On the Spot (1940) and Mutiny in the Big House (1939). He was married to Lucille. He died on 26 September 1974 in Los Angeles, California, USA.507, 1933-1975; 503 (uncredited), 46 westerns
- A character actor and veteran of hundreds of Hollywood westerns, Tom London seemed to be born in the saddle. As a trick rider he performed riding specialties in a number of films. His career started in the teens and through the 1920s he alternated between good guy and bad. He made appearances in non-westerns such as All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) and Platinum Blonde (1931), but westerns were his mainstay. When the "B" western disappeared in the mid-'50s, so did his career. He appeared in only a handful of film for the rest of the decade.497, 1928-1962; +79 silents since 1916; 288 (uncredited), 373 westerns
- Actor
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
Charles Sullivan was born on 24 April 1899 in Monroe, Louisiana, USA. He was an actor, known for The Invisible Monster (1950), Daredevils of the Clouds (1948) and The Man I Love (1929). He died on 25 June 1972 in Los Angeles, California, USA.491, 1928-1966; +16 silent since 1925; 481 (uncredited), 58 westerns- Actor
- Additional Crew
Furiously prolific and ubiquitous extra Kenner G. Kemp was born on January 3, 1908 in Concho, Arizona. Kemp first started appearing in films in uncredited minor roles in the early 1930's and began popping up in numerous TV shows in the early 1950's. Moreover, Kenner not only also worked as both a stuntman and an occasional stand-in for Walter Pidgeon, but also was a longtime officer in the Screen Extras Guild which included treasurer and vice president. His sister Donna Kempe also worked as an extra. Kemp died at age 77 on May 13, 1985 in Los Angeles, California.485, 1932-1972; 486 (uncredited), 40 westerns- Actor
- Soundtrack
Donald Kerr was born on 5 August 1891 in Eagle Grove, Iowa, USA. He was an actor, known for Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars (1938), The Devil Bat (1940) and Gang Bullets (1938). He died on 25 January 1977 in Los Angeles, California, USA.465, 1933-1966; 415 (uncredited), 43 westerns- Actor
James Conaty was born on 13 December 1895 in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor. He died on 18 December 1955 in Los Angeles, California, USA.464, 1929-1956; 464 (uncredited), 23 westerns- Harry Strang was born on 13 December 1892 in Clifton, Virginia, USA. He was an actor, known for Come on, Leathernecks! (1938), The Ghost Walks (1934) and Calling Philo Vance (1940). He died on 10 April 1972 in Los Angeles, California, USA.463, 1929-1965; 415 (uncredited), 58 westerns
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Edmund Fessenden Cobb, son of William Henry Cobb (1860-1909) and Eddie Ross (1862-1945), was the grandson of Edmund Gibson Ross (1826-1907, Governor of the Territory of New Mexico and the Senator from Kansas credited by many as having cast the deciding vote in the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson).
Edmund F. Cobb's parents ran a photography studio in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and some photographs of Edmund F. Cobb dressed as a cowboy (one dated December 1911), attired in a Civil War-era soldier's uniform, and standing next to a 1920s/1930s-style automobile are in the photo archive collection at the Museum of New Mexico, Palace of the Governors. Edmund Fessenden Cobb had two sisters, Susan Ross Cobb (1894-1987) and Daphne M. Cobb (1898-1928), and a brother, Wilfred B. Cobb (1901-1982).
A book by Kalton C. Lahue, Winners of the West: Sagebrush Heroes of the Silent Screen (1970), pages 53-58, includes a very brief overview of some of the companies, directors, movies/serials, and types of roles that shaped Edmund's career from 1910 to 1965.
Edmund F. Cobb married first wife, Helen Hayes, daughter of Charles Thomas Hayes and Martha Belle Marshall, on October 26, 1914, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and their daughter, Eddie Marie Cobb (1915-1969), was born in Illinois.
In 1920, Edmund and Helen were living in Denver, Colorado, and listed their occupations as "Actor" and "Actress," in "Motion Pictures." Edmund Cobb and Helen Hayes appeared together in A Rodeo Mixup (1924) and Riders of the Range (1923). Edmund and Helen divorced when their daughter was about 10 or 12 years old, and both remarried.
Helen Marie Hayes married her second husband, Edwin Jackson (1898-1972), on June 14, 1930, in Los Angeles County, California, as his second wife. Helen died about 1932.
Edmund Fessenden Cobb married his second wife, Vivian Marie Winter, daughter of Marshall Banker Winter and Henrietta K. Hollenbeck, on July 24, 1934, in Los Angeles County, California. Vivian Marie Winter was born January 16, 1894, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and died in Woodland Hills, California, at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital, on July 26, 1974.
Edmund Fessenden Cobb died at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital, as well, just twenty days after Vivian, on August 15, 1974.
Note: Edmund Cobb's sister, Susan Ross (Cobb) Beyer, stated that "Eddie" was the correct spelling of their mother's name even though some had suggested "a more feminine version" (Source: The Albuquerque Tribune, issue of March 20, 1974, page B-1, columns 1-4, Accent on Lively Living: Past Comes Alive: Clarence Beyers reminisce--wonder where time went). Several years ago, a curator familiar with the family had indicated that Eddie Ross's name was actually "Edwinna," but the article referencing Eddie's daughter, Susan, seems to argue against that being the case.461, 1928-1966; +43 silent since 1916; 278 (uncredited), 320 westerns- Emmett Vogan was born on 27 September 1893 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for Emergency Landing (1941), Love Birds (1934) and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941). He was married to Edythe. He died on 6 October 1969 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.456, 1934-1956; 346 (uncredited), 46 westerns
- Stanley Blystone was born on 1 August 1894 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, USA. He was an actor, known for Modern Times (1936), Eyes of Texas (1948) and Code of the Mounted (1935). He was married to Alma Tell and Claire Siebrecht. He died on 16 July 1956 in Hollywood, California, USA.442, 1929-1956; +11 silent since 1924; 376 (uncredited), 132 westerns
- Actor
- Producer
One of the finest teamsters in Hollywood screen history, Osborne handled the reins for horse-drawn coaches and wagons in countless westerns and historical photoplays from the early 20's through late 50's. And with his weathered, rumpled look, his Texas drawl and his nasal twang, he was often called upon to portray a seedy outlaw in any of those same westerns.439, 1929-1959; +91 silent since 1916; 273 (uncredited), 482 westerns- George Magrill was born on 5 January 1900 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Three Musketeers (1933), Snowed In (1926) and Danger Island (1931). He was married to Ramona Oliver. He died on 31 May 1952 in Los Angeles, California, USA.429, 1929-1953; +25 silent since 1923; 423 (uncredited), 88 westerns
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Stunts
Mike Lally was born on 1 June 1900 in Manhattan, New York, USA. He was an actor and assistant director, known for Coma (1978), Two-Fisted Gentleman (1936) and Columbo (1971). He was married to Pauline Wagner. He died on 15 February 1985 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.424, 1930-1978; 421 (uncredited), 46 westerns- Actor
- Producer
Jack Mower was born on 5 September 1890 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for The Radio Detective (1926), The Son of Sontag (1925) and The Shock (1923). He was married to Diana Woods Smith and Anna Stachia Houlihan. He died on 6 January 1965 in Hollywood, California, USA.421, 1930-1964; +80 silent since 1916; 374 (uncredited), 80 westerns- Actor
- Stunts
Jack Tornek was born on 2 January 1887 in Minsk, Russian Empire [now Belarus]. He was an actor, known for A Five Foot Ruler (1917), Bombs and Banknotes (1917) and David Hartman: Counterspy (1955). He died on 18 February 1974 in Los Angeles County, California, USA.412, 1932-1969; +2 silent since 1916; 415 (uncredited), 350 westerns- George Morrell was born on 10 April 1871 in California, USA. He was an actor, known for Custer's Last Stand (1936), Gold Fever (1952) and The Utah Kid (1944). He was married to Rosalie. He died on 28 April 1955 in Los Angeles, California, USA.411, 1929-1952; +3 silent since 1917; 384 (uncredited), 361 westerns
- Bert Stevens was born on 26 February 1905 in Chelsea, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor, known for Perry Mason (1957) and Trackdown (1957). He was married to Caryl Lincoln and Elizabeth Zilker. He died on 14 December 1964 in Hollywood, California, USA.409, 1936-1965; 408 (uncredited), 29 westerns
- Born in Butte Montana just before the turn of the century, Ethan Laidlaw worked as a steam fitter, bus driver, mechanic, salesman, and policeman, before moving to the Los Angeles in the early 1920's. Laidlaw's tall, lean frame and chiseled features made him a natural for gangster pictures, Westerns, and for any role that required a villain, heavy, or tough guy. While he seldom had a substantial speaking park, he found steady work for almost four decades.
Between the movies and the proliferation of TV Westerns in the 1950's, Laidlaw kept busy from 1925 until his death from a heart attack in 1963. All told, he had almost 450 known appearances in movies, and about 400 on TV. He was one of Hugh O'Brian's regulars on "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp," (which included Jimmy Noel, Buddy Roosevelt, Bill Coontz, and Phil Schumacher), with over 130 appearances on that series alone.
An avid biker, Laidlaw could be seen traveling the countryside on his motorcycle during the few times he wasn't working. Laidlaw lived in the Whitley Hills area of Hollywood, not far from the studios, from the early 1940's until his death.409, 1929-1963; +30 silents since 1923; 365 (uncredited), 211 westerns - Lester Dorr was born on 8 May 1893 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor, known for Riders of the Purple Sage (1931), The Secret Code (1942) and Flying Disc Man from Mars (1950). He was married to Grace L. Painter. He died on 25 August 1980 in Los Angeles, California, USA.408, 1931-1975; 374 (uncredited), 37 westerns
- Actor
- Soundtrack
A minor character actor who appeared in literally hundreds of films, actor Irving Bacon could always be counted on for expressing bug-eyed bewilderment or cautious frustration in small-town settings with his revolving door of friendly, servile parts - mailmen, milkmen, clerks, chauffeurs, cab drivers, bartenders, soda jerks, carnival operators, handymen and docs. Born September 6, 1893 in the heart of the Midwest (St. Joseph, Missouri), he was the son of Millar and Myrtle (Vane) Bacon. Irving first found work in silent comedy shorts at Keystone Studios usually playing older than he was and, for a time, was a utility player for Mack Sennett in such slapstick as A Favorite Fool (1915). Irving made an easy adjustment when sound entered the pictures and after appearing in the Karl Dane and George K. Arthur two-reel comedy shorts such as Knights Before Christmas (1930), began to show up in feature-length films. He played higher-ups on occasion, such as the Secretary of the Navy in Million Dollar Legs (1932), police inspector in The House of Mystery (1934), mayor in Room for One More (1952), and judge in Ambush at Cimarron Pass (1958), but those were exceptions to the rule. Blending in with the town crowd was what Irving was accustomed to and, over the years, he would be glimpsed in some of Hollywood's most beloved classics such as Capra's Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), San Francisco (1936), You Can't Take It with You (1938) and A Star Is Born (1954). Trivia nuts will fondly recall his beleaguered postman in the Blondie (1938) film series that ran over a decade.
Irving could also be spotted on popular '50s and '60s TV programs such as the westerns Laramie (1959) and Wagon Train (1957), and "comedies December Bride (1954) and The Real McCoys (1957). He can still be seen in a couple of old codger roles on I Love Lucy (1951). One was as a marriage license proprietor and the other as Vivian Vance's doting dad from Albuquerque, to whom she paid a visit on her way to Hollywood with the Ricardos. Irving died on February 5, 1965, having clocked in over 400 features.408, 1928-1958; +5 silent since 1923; 204 (uncredited), 52 westerns- Chuck Hamilton was born on 9 December 1903 in Vallejo, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Captain Midnight (1942), Valley of the Zombies (1946) and The Shadow (1940). He died on 24 December 1978 in Vallejo, California, USA.407, 1929-1966; +2 silent since 1927; 399 (uncredited), 143 westerns
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Although he attended West Point, James Flavin decided on an acting career instead of the military. After touring with several stock and repertory companies, he arrived in Hollywood and broke into films in the early 1930s. A fast-talking, granite-jawed Irishman, Flavin appeared in hundreds of films during his career and was often cast as a big-city homicide detective, street cop, prison guard or Marine sergeant. One of Flavin's closest friends, oddly enough, was legendary cheapo producer Sam Katzman. Flavin was married for more than 40 years to actress Lucile Browne; he died in 1976, and she died two weeks after he did.402, 1932-1971; 295 (uncredited), 34 westerns- Actor
- Additional Crew
Ralph Brooks was born on 22 April 1904 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He was an actor, known for A Shot in the Dark (1935), Strange Wives (1934) and The 3rd Voice (1960). He died on 15 April 1991 in Los Angeles, California, USA.402, 1929-1968; 392 (uncredited), 13 westerns- Actor
- Soundtrack
Cyril Ring was born on 5 December 1892 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor, known for The Cocoanuts (1929), I Wake Up Screaming (1941) and The Social Lion (1930). He was married to Molly Green and Charlotte Greenwood. He died on 17 July 1967 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.398, 1929-1951; +14 silent since 1921; 382 (uncredited), 15 westerns- Ernie Adams was born on 18 June 1885 in San Francisco, California, USA. He was an actor, known for The Pride of the Yankees (1942), The Man with Nine Lives (1940) and Invisible Ghost (1941). He was married to Mamie Silver, Margaret Adams, Shirley Adams and Berdonna Gilbert. He died on 26 November 1947 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.395, 1929-1948; +38 silents since 1919; 291 (uncredited), 140 westerns
- Selmer Jackson was born on 7 May 1888 in Lake Mills, Iowa, USA. He was an actor, known for The Grapes of Wrath (1940), Left Over Ladies (1931) and Undercover Agent (1939). He was married to Estil S. Jackson. He died on 30 March 1971 in Burbank, California, USA.388, 1929-1963; +2 silent since 1921; 246 (uncredited), 25 westerns
- Stuart Holmes, born Joseph Liebchen, was a silent screen leading man (from 1909) who starred in Fox's first feature film, Life's Shop Window (1914), filmed on Staten Island for $4,500. Being of somewhat menacing demeanour, the cold-eyed, moustachioed Holmes quickly discovered his penchant for playing dastardly villains of French, Italian or Russian extraction. He was highly rated by critics for his Grand Duke Michael in The Prisoner of Zenda (1922) and for Alexander, nemesis of Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1924). His characters rarely ever survived the final reel. After leaving Fox, Holmes joined Metro for similar work and then segued into character parts after the coming of sound. He was signed as a Warner Brothers extra in the mid-30's and continued to amass uncredited or cameo bits until his retirement in 1964, by which time he had appeared in some 530 films. His wife, Blanche Maynard, was a well-known Hollywood astrologer and Holmes himself (when not busy on screen) spent his free time wood-carving. He was reputedly rather good at it.382, 1927-1964; +111 silents since 1912; 365 (uncredited), 40 westerns
- Milton Kibbee was born on 27 January 1896 in Roswell, New Mexico, USA. He was an actor, known for The Mad Doctor of Market Street (1942), Junior Prom (1946) and Vacation Days (1947). He was married to Lois H. Wilson. He died on 17 April 1970 in Simi Valley, California, USA.379, 1933-1953; +1 silent since 1923; 310 (uncredited), 60 westerns
- Actor
- Stunts
Roy Bucko was born on 22 August 1893 in Colusa, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Young Blood (1932). He was married to Rheba. He died on 6 August 1954 in North Hollywood, California, USA.375, 1930-1954; +9 silents since 1925; 383 (uncredited), 416 westerns- Wilbur Mack was born on 29 July 1873 in Binghamton, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Redheads on Parade (1935), Gold and Grit (1925) and The Crimson Canyon (1928). He was married to Constance Purdy and Nella Walker. He died on 13 March 1964 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.372, 1929-1962; +12 silents since 1925; 339 (uncredited), 30 westerns
- Hank Bell was born on 21 January 1892 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for The White Horseman (1921), The Last Straw (1920) and The Scrappin' Kid (1926). He died on 4 February 1950 in Hollywood, California, USA.371, 1929-1952; +31 silent since 1920; 342 (uncredited), 376 westerns
- Cosmo Sardo was born on 7 March 1909 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor, known for Mission: Impossible (1966), Amazon Quest (1949) and Same Time, Next Year (1978). He died on 14 July 1989 in Los Angeles County, California, USA.370, 1940-1981; 365 (uncredited), 19 westerns
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Bert Moorhouse was born on 20 November 1894 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Rough Ridin' Red (1928), The Woman I Love (1929) and The Pay-Off (1930). He was married to Mary. He died on 26 January 1954 in Hollywood, California, USA.366, 1929-1954; +5 silent since 1928; 358 (uncredited), 11 westerns- Actor
- Director
George Chesebro was an American character actor who, after a few leading roles in silent films, became an omnipresent bit player in "B" westerns. A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Chesebro became involved in traveling stock theater productions before the age of 20, and by 1911 was a seasoned performer. He played in a musical spectacular that toured Asia for two years, then returned to America and played in stock and vaudeville. Moving to Los Angeles in 1915, Chesebro began to supplement his vaudeville career with movie work and quickly began moving up the ladder of film success. World War I interrupted his work (sources differ as to whether he served in the US Navy or US Army). Following the war he resumed his movie career, starring in several popular serials. His popularity and the size of his roles waned during the 1920s, and with the arrival of talkies he was most often seen as heavies, henchmen and cops in a huge number of westerns and crime dramas, most of them low-budget. He became a fixture in "B" westerns, rarely billed but always familiar, and finished out his career in the 1950s with the demise of the B-Western. Occasional TV appearances marked his retirement, and he died in 1959, two months prior to his 71st birthday.364, 1929-1955; +41 silent since 1915; 180 (uncredited), 303 westerns- Actor
- Stunts
Bob Burns was born on 21 November 1884 in Glendive, Montana, USA. He was an actor, known for Jus' Travlin' (1925), Melting Millions (1927) and Blazing Sixes (1937). He was married to Julia Bearcroft. He died on 14 March 1957 in Burbank, California, USA.358, 1929-1957; +32 silent since 1915; 345 (uncredited), 350 westerns- Actor
- Writer
Wade Boteler was born on 3 October 1888 in Santa Ana, California, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for The Green Hornet (1940), The Mandarin Mystery (1936) and The Green Hornet Strikes Again! (1940). He was married to Ellen Evelyn James. He died on 7 May 1943 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.357, 1929-1944; +65 silent since 1919; 234 (uncredited), 34 westerns- Actor
- Additional Crew
Brick Sullivan was born on 28 July 1899 in Beresford, South Dakota, USA. He was an actor, known for Canon City (1948), Adventures of Superman (1952) and The 20th Century-Fox Hour (1955). He died on 4 September 1959 in Los Angeles, California, USA.355, 1936-1959; 353 (uncredited), 66 westerns- Although Charles King played a variety of roles in silent films, and even made a series of comedy shorts for Universal in the 1920s, it was as a villain in sound westerns that King achieved his greatest fame. In the 1930s and 1940s his jowly face, beady eyes, Texas accent, droopy walrus mustache and overhanging beer belly became familiar to legions of fans of B westerns, especially those of rock-bottom PRC Pictures (it seemed like he showed up in every western PRC ever made), and you knew as soon as you saw him that he would meet his doom before the end of the last reel. Sometimes he was actually the head of the gang, but usually he was just a hired gun or, on even rarer occasions, "middle management". There's a line in Blazing Saddles (1974) where Gene Wilder says, "I've killed more men than Cecil B. DeMille"; it's doubtful that anyone has been killed more times in films than Charlie King. He's been shot, beaten up, run over, thrown off cliffs and blown up by the likes of John Wayne, Buster Crabbe, Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, and pretty much anyone who ever appeared in a movie with him--if he had been in a Shirley Temple picture, she would have found a way to bump him off.
After a memorable career as a punching bag, piñata and moving target for most of the actors in Hollywood, Charlie King finally hung up his spurs in 1957, and died of cirrhosis of the liver in May of that year.353, 1930-1953; +14 silent since 1915; 124 (uncredited), 269 westerns - Dour-faced US character player in films for more than two decades from 1923, often in portrayals of peace officers such as judges and lawmen. Even at his most elderly, he could frequently be seen as a white-haired, uniformed policeman - often affecting an Irish accent to boot.353, 1929-1946; +28 silent since 1917; 269 (uncredited), 54 westerns
- Jack Chefe was born on 1 April 1894 in Kiev, Russian Empire [now Ukraine]. He was an actor, known for I Love Lucy (1951), Spy Hunt (1950) and The Mad Martindales (1942). He died on 1 December 1975 in Los Angeles, California, USA.353, 1929-1963; +2 silent since 1928; 348 (uncredited), 9 westerns
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Frank Mills was born on 26 January 1891 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for Those Who Dance (1930), Parole! (1936) and Charlie Chan's Courage (1934). He died on 18 August 1973 in Los Angeles, California, USA.352, 1930-1961; +5 silent since 1928; 346 (uncredited), 86 westerns- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Composer
Like thousands of "day actors' during Hollywood's Golden Era, Max Wagner toiled in relative obscurity in supporting and bit roles with the occasional meaty character part. It was a film career that sustained him as a durable and dependable actor from the mid-1920s through the '70s.
The youngest of five boys, Wagner was born in Mexico, the son of William W. Wagner, a railroad conductor. His mother, Edith Wagner, was a writer and correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor during the Mexican Revolution. He was 10 years old when Mexican rebels fatally wounded his father. His mother then brought him to Salinas, California, where he struck up a lifelong friendship with John Steinbeck. Wagner served as a model for the boy in Steinbeck's novel "The Red Pony" and he would appear in many of the films based on Steinbeck's books.
Max's brothers - Jack, Blake, and Bob - were already in Hollywood working on films. Jack and Blake worked under D.W. Griffith at Biograph as cameramen and later went to work for Hal Roach and Mack Sennett. Bob worked on the First National lot as an assistant cameraman. At 23 years old, Max joined his brothers in Hollywood. Jack was working on a Harry Langdon film in 1924 and helped Max secure his first acting part. His early experiences at Mack Sennett honed his talent in physical comedy that would serve him well throughout his career.
During the early talkie period studios often made Spanish-language versions of their popular films. Max, fluent in Spanish, acted in many such films in supporting roles under the name of Max Baron. Studios often went to him to serve as a Spanish-language coach for actors. He appeared alongside Lupe Velez in the "Mexican Spitfire" series and when he wasn't acting, he monitored Velez's ad-libbing in Spanish to spot any profanity.
While most of Max's work was with major studios, he was a regular with Mascot, the low-budget studio that churned out serials including "The Lost Jungle (1934) and Tom Mix's "The Miracle Rider" (1935). Max was a regular in the Charlie Chan series and was a company player with Preston Sturges, appearing in such films as "The Palm Beach Story" (1942), "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" (1944), "The Great Moment" (1944) and "The Sin of Harold Diddlebock" (1946).
During World War II, he took a break to serve in the U.S. Army in North Africa.
His tough, brawny appearance made him a casting director's perfect choice for gangster roles, giving him unlimited work as a henchman in dozens of Warner Bros. films in the 1930s. Los Angeles newspaper gossip columnists used to jokingly chart his rise from Gangster No. 4 (no gun, no dialog) to Gangster No. 2 (gun and dialog).
A lifelong heavy drinker, Max struggled off and on with alcoholism. He entered Alcoholics Anonymous in 1950, but resumed acting the following year.
His most notable appearance in films came in 1953 with the role of Sgt. Rinaldi in the cult sci-fi classic "Invaders from Mars." The same year he was also cast in "Donovan's Brain," another cult favorite.
By the 1960s, Max was cast mostly in bit parts in film and television westerns and dramas, ending his career with small parts in such TV series as "Gunsmoke" and "Columbo."352, 1930-1974; 306 (uncredited), 58 westerns- Forbes Murray was born on 4 November 1884 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was an actor, known for The Lady and the Mob (1939), The Apache Kid (1941) and Manhunt of Mystery Island (1945). He died on 18 November 1982 in Douglas County, Oregon, USA.347, 1936-1965; 310 (uncredited), 48 westerns
- One of those wonderfully busy character actors whose face is familiar if not his name, mild-mannered actor Byron Foulger began performing with community theater, and stock and repertory companies after graduating from the University of Utah. He met his future wife, character actress Dorothy Adams, in one of these companies. The marriage lasted nearly five decades and ended only with his death.
Making his Broadway debut in a 1920 production of "Medea" that featured Moroni Olsen as Jason (of the Argonauts), and went on to appear in several other Olsen Broadway productions and in close succession (including "The Trial of Joan of Arc," "Mr. Faust" and "Candida"). While touring the country with Olsen's stock company, he ended up at the Pasadena Playhouse where he both acted and directed. Thereafter he and wife Dorothy decided to settle in Los Angeles.
Together the acting couple tried to stake a claim for themselves in 30s and 40s Hollywood films. Both succeeded, appearing in hundreds of film parts, both together and apart, albeit in small and often unbilled bits. A man of meek, nervous countenance, Foulger's short stature and squinty stare could be used for playing both humble and shady fellows. In the 1940s, the actor became a part of Preston Sturges' company of players, appearing in five of his classic films -- The Great McGinty (1940), Sullivan's Travels (1941), The Palm Beach Story (1942), The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1943) and The Great Moment (1944).
Although predominantly employed as an owlish storekeeper, mortician, professor, or bank teller, his better parts had darker intentions. He was exceptional as weaselly, mealy-mouthed, whining henchmen who inevitably showed their yellow streak by the film's end.
The character actor eased into TV roles in the 1950s and '60s, displaying a comedy side in many folksy, rural sitcoms. His final regular TV role was as train conductor Wendell Gibbs in the final years of the Petticoat Junction (1963) series. The father of actress Rachel Ames, Foulger died of a heart ailment on April 4, 1970, coincidentally the same day the final new episode of Petticoat Junction (1963) was broadcast. .347, 1932-1970; 222 (uncredited), 59 westerns - Pierre Watkin was one of a stable of tall, distinguished-looking and sophisticated character actors (such as Russell Hicks, Jonathan Hale, Selmer Jackson and Samuel S. Hinds) whom Hollywood kept steadily employed playing political leaders, army officers, lawyers, wealthy businessmen and the like. Unlike many of his colleagues in that category, however, Watkin is notable for his (relatively) soft voice and precisely articulated speech. He is probably best remembered by film enthusiasts as Mr. Skinner, the unctuous, self-important bank president, in the W.C. Fields comedy The Bank Dick (1940), in which he uttered the now-classic line, "Allow me to give you a hearty handclasp".
He was the third of four sons of C.H. and Elizabeth J. Watkin, who operated a lodging house for "theater people" in Sioux City, IA. After completing high school he entered the acting profession, and by the time he registered for the draft in WWI he was working with an acting troupe--headed by Sidney Toler--and married. He requested a deferment from military service because he was the sole support of his wife. His wife's name is unknown, however, and it's also unknown if they had any children; this information does not appear in the draft registration, and the name Pierre Watkin(s) is completely missing from both the 1920 and 1930 federal censuses.346, 1935-1959; +1 silent since 1924; 159 (uncredited), 30 westerns - Actor
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
Frank Hagney was born on 20 April 1884 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He was an actor, known for It's a Wonderful Life (1946), Ride Him, Cowboy (1932) and The Sea Beast (1926). He was married to Edna M. Keating Shephard and Ethel Scott. He died on 25 June 1973 in Los Angeles, California, USA.346, 1929-1967; +56 silents since 1919; 305 (uncredited), 128 westerns- Charles Sherlock was born on 9 July 1900 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Shakedown (1950), King of the Turf (1939) and Undertow (1949). He died on 1 May 1983 in North Hollywood, California, USA.343, 1932-1965; 338 (uncredited), 26 westerns
- Actor
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
Jack Kirk was born on 19 February 1895 in Nickerson, Kansas, USA. He was an actor, known for Zorro's Black Whip (1944), Stormy (1935) and The Topeka Terror (1945). He was married to Ethel Mason. He died on 13 September 1948 in Ketchikan, Alaska, USA.343, 1930-1954; +1 silent 1926; 272 (uncredited), 324 westerns- Actor
- Soundtrack
After military service during the First World War, Chandler studied at the University of Illinois, financing his studies by playing jazz violin in a band. During the early 1920's, he returned to the vaudeville circuit and began in films from 1928. Most of his early efforts were short one- and two-reel comedies, arguably his best being The Fatal Glass of Beer (1933) with W.C. Fields. While he mostly appeared in comedy and had countless bit parts, he later proved that he could handle meatier assignments, such as the simple-minded husband of Ginger Rogers, Amos, in Roxie Hart (1942). George was a protege of director William A. Wellman , who used him in twenty of his films.
On television, he made his mark as the jovial, well-remembered Uncle Petrie in Lassie (1954). He also had many good guest spots in other series, a particularly enjoyable one being the old man who sells a haunted Model A to dubious second-hand car dealer Jack Carson(with interesting results) in The Twilight Zone (1959) episode 'The Whole Truth' (1961). Prior to replacing Ronald Reagan as president of the Screen Actor's Guild, Chandler had been treasurer for twelve years (1948-60).340, 1929-1979; +2 silent since 1928; 230 (uncredited), 39 westerns- Joseph Crehan was born on 15 July 1883 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He was an actor, known for Black Magic (1944), Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (1947) and Kid Galahad (1937). He was married to Dorothy R. Lord. He died on 15 April 1966 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.338, 1931-1965; +1 silent since 1916; 144 (uncredited), 38 westerns
- Minor American character actor Forrest Taylor was a veteran of the stage by the time he started appearing as a silent lead in both short and feature-length films. He went on to appear in hundreds of secondary "B" movies, although his name does not appear in a large percentage of them. Taylor was born Edwin Forrest Taylor in Bloomington, Illinois, in 1883. Little is known about his early days on stage but he assayed prime roles in such films as In the Sunset Country (1915), April (1916), True Nobility (1916) and The Abandonment (1916) before World War I service intervened. With his leading-man career fatally interrupted, he would not return to films until a decade later in 1926. Playing a few strong supports, he regressed quickly to atmospheric bits primarily in westerns and cliffhangers. With a no-nonsense attitude and imposingly thick mustache, his attorneys, judges, scientists, executives and professors were for the most part scarcely acknowledged, so when he did receive a bit more screen time than usual he pounced on the opportunity, such as he got in John Wayne's programmer Riders of Destiny (1933) where he played a sagebrush villain; the serial Shadow of Chinatown (1936) as a Chief of Police; and The Oregon Trail (1939) as a nemesis to hero Johnny Mack Brown. Taylor also managed some deliciously hammy roles in a few popular serials including The Green Archer (1940), The Spider Returns (1941) and The Iron Claw (1941). On-camera for nearly five decades, he extended himself into TV programming in the 1950s, taking part in various TV westerns including episodes of Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1951), Annie Oakley (1954), The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp (1955), Maverick (1957) and My Friend Flicka (1955), not to mention both Gene Autry's and Roy Rogers' weekly shows. He was an occasional player on the series The Cisco Kid (1950) from 1950 on, and from 1952-1954 had one of his more visible roles as Grandpa Fisher on the religious TV series This Is the Life (1952). Broaching the age of 80, Taylor finally retired in 1962 after filming an episode of Bonanza (1959) and died three years later of natural causes in Garden Grove, California.338, 1930-1959; +8 silent from 1916; 161 (uncredited), 222 westerns
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Character actor who made his film debut on the East Coast in October 1911. After serving in WWI, Chandler continued with his film and stage career becoming one of the most prolific (if more often than not uncredited) bit actors in the industry. Also appeared in vaudeville as a comedian and singer; when his act completed its run in Los Angeles, signed with Thomas H. Ince's 101 Ranch Productions. First appearing in westerns and silent comedies, he was later frequently cast as detectives and police officers. He was related through marriage to actor 'Philip Morris (I)', both being married to sisters of the same family. Even though it exceeds 320 films, Chandler's film resume is likely incomplete due to the likelihood that many of his earliest silent films are lost.329, 1929-1947; +7 silent since 1925; 290 (uncredited), 17 westerns- Jack Evans was born on 5 March 1893 in Neills Creek, North Carolina, USA. He was an actor, known for The Hidden Woman (1922), Lightning Range (1933) and The Fighting Deputy (1937). He was married to Fannie. He died on 14 March 1950 in Hollywood, California, USA.328, 1930-1950; +1 silent since 1922; 322 (uncredited), 308 westerns
- Stanley Andrews was born on 28 August 1891 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Road to Rio (1947), Superman and the Mole-Men (1951) and Johnny Apollo (1940). He died on 23 June 1969 in Los Angeles, California, USA.326, 1929-1960; +33 silent since 1915; (uncredited), westerns
- Harry Tenbrook was born on 9 October 1887 in Oslo, Norway. He was an actor, known for They Were Expendable (1945), A Slight Case of Murder (1938) and The Land of Might (1912). He died on 14 September 1960 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.326, 1929-1960; +33 silent since 1915; 318 (uncredited), 80 westerns
- American actor who had a brief flirtation with stardom before settling into character roles and bit parts. Born in rural South Dakota (according to government records, though some sources say Walsh County, North Dakota) as Robert C. Oakes, the son of a horse rancher, he moved with his family to Culbertson, Montana (not his birthplace as some sources have it), where he grew up. The family moved again and he graduated from high school in Helena. A brief attendance at Montana Wesleyan College was interrupted by the offer of a job driving a tour bus in Yellowstone National Park.
Drifting down to Los Angeles in the early 1920s, he got work as an auto mechanic, but his ranch-honed cowboy skills got him bit parts in pictures at Paramount when director John Waters offered him work in a series of Westerns. Paramount recognized possibilities in the tall, rugged, handsome cowboy and put him (with a new name, Lane Chandler) into leading roles, first in Westerns, then in contemporary films opposite some of the biggest star actresses of the time, Clara Bow, Greta Garbo, Betty Bronson, and Esther Ralston. As silent films were phased out, Chandler found his stock slipping at Paramount, which had begun to overtly favor Gary Cooper in his place. He began appearing in lower-budgeted Westerns, first in leads, then as second leads to stars such as John Wayne and Jack Hoxie. During this period he free-lanced at Big 4, Syndicate Pictures and Kent (see Willis Kent) Pictures, all a far cry from his days under contract with Adolph Zukor. Despite the relatively poor production values, several of his early talkies (The Hurricane Horseman (1931) and The Cheyenne Cyclone (1931)) rise above similar fare in entertainment value. Unfortunately, Chandler was also forced to work on other lesser productions helmed by hack directors such as J.P. McGowan who cared more about quickly earning a paycheck than the product itself. His association with Kent ended in 1930s and Chandler drifted to another independent outfit called Empire Pictures which promised to produce 6 films, although only 2 were ultimately shot, the entertaining quickies The Lone Bandit (1935) and The Outlaw Tamer (1935). Now in his mid-30's Chandler found his career in irreversible decline and settled into supporting roles. A favorite of director Cecil B. DeMille, Chandler worked in many DeMille films, often in tiny bit parts, though he claimed these were his favorite parts. Eventually Chandler no longer commanded roles of any substance and he spent the remaining 35 years of his career in progressively smaller supporting parts, playing in hundreds of films, often uncredited. A stalwart of television Westerns of the 1950s, he was a familiar face to movie fans for nearly fifty years. An astute businessman with industrial and property holdings, he died in Los Angeles in 1971 at 73.326, 1929-1971; +10 silent since 1927; 224 (uncredited), 149 westerns - Actor
- Additional Crew
Prolific character actor Ralph Dunn was born in Titusville, PA, in 1902. He attended college for a while, but dropped out to join a traveling vaudeville troupe, and performed in minstrel shows and melodramas until 1935, when he headed to Hollywood, but not for the usual reasons vaudevillians made that trip--his parents lived there and his father was in poor health, so he went to help his mother take care of him. In order to make some money he signed up with Central Casting, where his stocky tough-guy look secured him a succession of jobs as cops, thugs, bouncers, bartenders, fight managers, and the like.
His Hollywood career lasted more than 30 years, during which time he kept his hand in stage work. He appeared in the 1951 Broadway production of "The Moon Is Blue" and played the pajama factory owner in the Broadway classic "The Pajama Game", a role he repeated when it was made into a film in 1957. He had more than 300 credits to his name, including television work. His last film role was as a priest in Black Like Me (1964), and his final appearance was in an episode of the series N.Y.P.D. (1967).
He died in Flushing, NY, in 1968.323, 1932-1964; 281 (uncredited), 25 westerns- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Roberts is an Academy Award nominee for his role in Runaway Train, and a three-time Golden Globe nominee for Runaway Train, Star 80, and King of the Gypsies.
In addition, Roberts received acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival for his role in A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints and It's My Party. He also starred in La Cucaracha, which won Best Film at the Austin Film Festival, and for which Roberts won Best Actor at the New York Independent Film Festival that same year. Other notable performances include his roles in The Dark Knight, Final Analysis, and Paul Thoman Anderson's Inherent Vice for Warner Bros., Millennium Films' Lovelace and The Expendables for Lionsgate.
On television, Roberts' memorable recurring roles include USA's Suits, CSI and Code Black for CBS, NBC's Heroes, and Crash for Starz. He has appeared in guest star roles on ABC's Greys Anatomy, NBC's Will & Grace, Fox's Brooklyn Nine-Nine, CBS' Hawaii Five-O, HBO's Entourage, and so much more.
Upcoming, Roberts plays Matt Dillon's doctor in Head Full of Honey, a Warner Bros. Germany production that is directed by Til Schweiger. Emily Mortimer and Nick Nolte also star. He also has a supporting role in the independent Hard Luck Love Song directed by Justin Corsbie. Roberts will play "Skip," a grizzled doorman whom offers advice to characters played by Michael Dorman and Sophia Bush. The film also stars Dermott Mulroney, and American rapper, RZA. Finally, Roberts is set to recur as DEA boss "Erick Sheldon" in La Reina del Sur for Telemundo Global Studio and Netflix.
Roberts was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, and grew up in and around the Atlanta area. He began his career in theatre in New York City where he won the Theatre World Award for his role on Broadway in Burn This.
He resides in Los Angeles with his wife of 26 years and brood of felines.
Roberts is represented by Sovereign Talent Group, Cultivate Entertainment, and Miles Anthony Associates in the UK.321, 1978-2020; +50 pending; 0 (uncredited), 7 westerns- Actor
- Additional Crew
Chick Hannan was born on 24 May 1901 in Iron River, Michigan, USA. He was an actor, known for Stars Over Arizona (1937), Westbound Stage (1939) and Sing, Cowboy, Sing (1937). He was married to Delia L. Larson, Thecla Hansley and Peggy Taylor. He died on 14 August 1980 in Los Angeles, California, USA.318, 1935-1966; 309 (uncredited), 318 westerns- Edward Peil Sr. was born on 18 January 1883 in Racine, Wisconsin, USA. He was an actor, known for Broken Blossoms (1919), The Big Cage (1933) and Dream Street (1921). He was married to Henrietta 'Etta' Raynor. He died on 29 December 1958 in Hollywood, California, USA.318, 1928-1951; +76 silent since 1914; 257 (uncredited), 143 westerns
- Actor
- Art Department
Ray Jones was born on 11 November 1898 in Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Flashing Guns (1947), Schlitz Playhouse (1951) and The Vanishing Outpost (1951). He was married to Irene Cole. He died on 27 October 1975 in Los Angeles, California, USA.315, 1932-1959; 312 (uncredited), 307 westerns- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Stunts
Chet Brandenburg was born on 15 October 1897 in Peoria, Illinois, USA. He was an actor and assistant director, known for Under Two Jags (1923), Las fantasmas (1930) and Powder and Smoke (1924). He died on 17 July 1974 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.314, 1932-1963; 314 (uncredited), 125 westerns- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Edmund Mortimer was born on 21 August 1874 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor and director, known for The Broad Road (1923), The Exiles (1923) and The Arizona Romeo (1925). He was married to Louise Bates. He died on 21 May 1944 in Los Angeles, California, USA.314, 1930-1945; +30 silent since 1914; 337 (uncredited), 15 westerns- Al Hill was born on 14 July 1892 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Last Mile (1932), A Man's World (1942) and Call of the Prairie (1936). He was married to Rene Boucicault. He died on 14 July 1954 in Los Angeles, California, USA.314, 1929-1954; +5 silents since 1927; 273 (uncredited), 29 westerns
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Horace B. Carpenter was born on 31 January 1875 in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, USA. He was an actor and director, known for Maniac (1934), The Arizona Kid (1929) and Fangs of Fate (1925). He was married to Beatrice Allen and Ella N. Hilger. He died on 21 May 1945 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.311, 1929-1946; +76 silent since 1913; 297 (uncredited), 289 westerns- Actor
- Soundtrack
Leo Sailor, a.k.a. Syd Saylor, was born into a very notable family. His father, George Sailor, was a renowned engineer, and was often called out to various locations for consultation and evaluation. In 1906 he was called to San Francisco on a job, and he had no sooner checked into his hotel than the city was devastated by the notorious 1906 earthquake. Mr. Sailor was never seen again, and was presumed to have been one of many to have died in the quake. That left Syd and his brother without a father, and to remedy that situation his mother's brother Ed moved in with the family.
Syd decided to follow his uncle Ed's advice; he studied hard and had the help of his uncle as a tutor. Syd soon joined several local actors groups. While appearing in a variety of plays put on by the troupe, Syd discovered that he had a talent for making people laugh, and his other uncle--a captain in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department who was a former member of Mack Sennett's comedy troupe The Keystone Kops--encouraged him to go to Los Angeles to break into the film industry. Syd did just that, and his uncle used the connections he had in the film industry to get Syd's foot in the door. Syd became a prolific character actor, recognizable by his bulging eyes, stuttering speech and a protruding Adam's apple that bobbed up and down like a pogo stick. He appeared in everything from comedies (in the 1920s he had his own series of two-reel shorts) to westerns, usually as the hero's sidekick. He wasn't just a one-note comic, though. He had a small but touching role as a lonely patient in a psychiatric hospital in The Snake Pit (1948), who goes to the facility's annual dance and desperately and sadly looks for a woman to dance with him.
He appeared in more than 170 films, and died of a heart attack in Hollywood in 1962.308, 1930-1963; +7 silent since 1926; 217 (uncredited), 79 westerns- Brooks Benedict was born on 6 February 1896 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Why Girls Go Back Home (1926), Speedy (1928) and Orchids and Ermine (1927). He died on 1 January 1968 in Houston, Texas, USA.308, 1929-1958; +25 silents since 1923; 290 (uncredited), 10 westerns
- Steve Clark was born on 26 February 1891 in Davis County, Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for Durango Valley Raiders (1938), Haunted Ranch (1943) and Saddle Mountain Roundup (1941). He was married to Emily Margaret Clark and Ruth. He died on 29 June 1954 in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA.307, 1933-1953; 169 (uncredited), 270 westerns
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Gino Corrado is best known as the waiter in most of the films from Hollywood's Golden Age. He appeared in such popular and beloved films as Casablanca, Citizen Kane, and Gone with the Wind. With over 1,000 appearances (mostly uncredited roles as a bit player or an extra from 1916 until 1956) he has one of the largest filmographies of any actor in the film industry. Three Stooges fans recognized him from his appearances in several memorable Three Stooges shorts, and it was the Three Stooges Fan Club that eventually bought him his gravestone. Corrado's earliest film roles included DW Griffith's Intolerance (1916), Sunrise (1927) and his biggest role as one of the Three Musketeers (Aramis) opposite Douglas Fairbanks in The Iron Mask (1929). Italian-born Gino Corrado's real name was Gino Liserani and his two brothers were also actors. Lawrence Liserani worked mostly as an extra, and Louis (Luigi) Liserani had a few bit roles in the 1920s under the name Louis Dumar.
Corrado was mainly uncredited after the silent era ended and typecast as a waiter or chef. He, incredibly, entered the restaurant business in the late 1940s where he served the motion picture crowd much like on-screen. Kirby Pringle is writing a book about Gino Corrado titled "Waiting on Hollywood: The Tale of an Italian Bit Player," with University Press of Mississippi, due out in early 2022.307, 1929-1954; +57 silent since 1916; 302 (uncredited), 23 westerns- Robert "Bob" Jasper Reeves was born on January 28, 1892 in Marlin, Texas. He attended Texas A&M University and served in the US Army during World War I. In 1921 he was cast in a series of Western shorts that were called "Cactus Features". He and his leading lady Maryon Aye would make 18 Cactus Features together including Streak Of Yellow and The Claim Jumpers. Bob, who was six foot two inches tall and weighed over 200 pounds, became a popular Western star during the silent era. His success didn't last long and by the 1940s he was playing bit parts. During his long career he appeared in more three hundred movies. He also had roles on the television shows Maverick and Wyatt Earp. Bob was married to Mary Lee Turner. The couple had no children together but Bob was a stepfather to Mary's children from a previous marriage. On April 12, 1960 Bob had a heart attack and died while filling out an unemployment application. He was buried at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.307, 1929-1960; +23 silents since 1919; 309 (uncredited), 219 westerns
- Actor
- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dick Rush was born on 16 August 1882 in Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. He was an actor and director, known for Playing Double (1923), The Three Way Trail (1925) and The Apostle of Vengeance (1916). He died on 11 March 1956 in Los Angeles, California, USA.303, 1925-1951; +10 silent since 1920; 286 (uncredited), 70 westerns- Actor
- Additional Crew
Extremely prolific and ubiquitous extra Arthur Roland Tovey was born on November 14, 1904 in Douglas, Arizona. Tovey appeared in his first film in an uncredited minor role in 1924 and began working profusely as a background extra starting in the mid-1940's. One of the most busy and tireless of American bit players, Arthur popped up in scores of movies and TV shows alike in a career that spanned an impressive seven decades altogether and was still plugging away into his early 90's. Moreover, Tovey not only served in the U.S. Army during World War II, but also was a longtime member of both the Musicians Local 47 -- he was a musician all his life who was especially adept at playing the piano -- and the Screen Actors Guild. Arthur died at age 95 of natural causes at his home in Van Nuys, California on October 20, 2000.302, 1932-1996; +1 silent since 1924; 304 (uncredited), 28 westerns- Budd Buster was born on 14 June 1891 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. He was an actor, known for Battle of Greed (1937), Lone Texas Ranger (1945) and Cavalry (1936). He was married to Mary. He died on 22 December 1965 in Los Angeles, California, USA.301, 1933-1960; 174 (uncredited), 249 westerns
- Actor
- Stunts
Art Dillard was born on 20 February 1907 in Fort Bend County, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Leadville Gunslinger (1952), Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1951) and Wild Horse Rodeo (1937). He was married to Ann. He died on 30 March 1960 in Van Nuys, California, USA.301, 1932-1956; 298 (uncredited), 331 westerns- Philo McCullough was born on 16 June 1893 in San Bernardino, California, USA. He was an actor and director, known for The Girl Who Wouldn't Quit (1918), The Gay Lord Quex (1919) and Trilby (1923). He was married to Valeri Gratton and Laura Anson. He died on 5 June 1981 in Burbank, California, USA.301, 1929-1969; +102 silents since 1915; 264 (uncredited), 103 westerns
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Edward Gargan was born on 17 July 1902 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Falcon's Brother (1942), The Falcon and the Co-eds (1943) and The Falcon in Danger (1943). He was married to Catherine Conlan. He died on 19 February 1964 in New York City, New York, USA.300, 1931-1951; 180 (uncredited), 19 westerns- Often confused with the British-born comic actor J. Pat O'Malley, who is the better remembered, silent dramatic film star Pat O'Malley had an enduring career that stands on its own. He was of solid Irish-American stock, born in Forest City, Pennsylvania, in 1890. A one-time railroad switchman, he also had circus experience by the time he discovered an interest in movie making. He began with the Kalem Studio in 1913 and appeared in a few Irish films before signing on with Thomas Edison's company in 1914. The following year, he married actress Lillian Wilkes, and three of their children, Eileen, Mary Katherine, and Sheila, would become actors as well. His brother Charles O'Malley was a sometime actor, appearing in westerns on occasion. His first identifiable film is The Alien (1913). He began freelancing in 1916 and from then on, appeared in scores of silents as both a rugged and romantic lead, some classic films being The Heart of Humanity (1918), My Wild Irish Rose (1922), and The Virginian (1923). He did not age well come sound pictures, and he was quickly relegated to supporting parts. He appeared in hundreds upon hundreds of bits (mostly unbilled) until 1956, when he retired. He died a decade later.300, 1929-1962; +66 silent since 1915; 243 (uncredited), 44 westerns
- Harvey had a musical background and began his entertainment career in 1918 with "Gus Hill's Honey Boy Minstrels." From there he went on to appear in various minstrel and burlesque shows. This led to many roles in Broadway shows. He went to Hollywood in 1934 and had a career spanning almost fifty years, mostly in small character parts. He was a regular on The Roy Rogers Show (1951) on television, appearing as Sheriff Blodgett.299, 1932-1970; 202 (uncredited), 92 westerns
- Hal Price was born on 24 June 1886 in Wauseon, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for Sin's Pay Day (1932), Arizona Frontier (1940) and The Lone Ranger (1949). He was married to Coy Danz, Amy F. Goodrich, Eleanor May Fitzsimmons and DeSimone, Josephine. He died on 15 April 1964 in Los Angeles, California, USA.299, 1930-1952; +1 silent since 1930; 215 (uncredited), 144 westerns
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Fred Kelsey was born on 20 August 1884 in Sandusky, Ohio, USA. He was an actor and director, known for On Trial (1928), The Lone Wolf Strikes (1940) and Red-Haired Alibi (1932). He was married to Katherine Miller. He died on 2 September 1961 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.299, 1928-1959; +72 silents since 1917; 246 (uncredited), 33 westerns- After serving in World War I, Roy Barcroft spent most of the 1920s and early 1930s moving from job to job. It was in the 1930s, after he moved to California with his wife, that he found his calling while acting in amateur theatrical productions. In 1937 he was appearing in bit parts in various genres, but by 1938 he was in westerns, where he became a well-known (and memorable) "heavy". Roy would alternate among Monogram, Universal, Columbia and other studios. In 1943, however, he signed an exclusive ten-year contract with Republic Pictures and became the convincing, and tireless, menace to all the good people in the West. He also did more than sneer at the likes of Don 'Red' Barry, Bill Elliot, Sunset Carson and Allan Lane. Roy acted in The Fighting Seabees (1944), which starred John Wayne. He was the Purple Martian in The Purple Monster Strikes (1945) and Capt. Mephisto in Manhunt of Mystery Island (1945), and who can forget his Retik, The Moon Menace. from the classic Radar Men from the Moon (1952)? Roy even played the good-natured marshal in Oklahoma! (1955). It was westerns, though, that were his bread and butter, and he knocked out a lot of them over the years. Outlaws of Cherokee Trail (1941), Riders of the Rio Grande (1943) and Sun Valley Cyclone (1946) were but a few of the "B" westerns Roy turned out. Off-screen, he was known as one of the nicest, kindest and most helpful people anyone would want to meet, with a terrific sense of humor. More than once, many a leading hero type such as Barry or Elliot would find that their hairpieces would mysteriously disappear before they were to put them on prior to shooting. When the era of the "B" westerns started to fade out, Roy's volume of work also slowed. He appeared in a handful of films, but his movie career had stalled by the end of 1957. He moved into the small screen with roles in TV westerns and also a recurring role in the Walt Disney production of The Adventures of Spin and Marty (1955). In the early 1960s he worked in a couple of movies, but his resurgence began in the mid-'60s when he appeared in low-budget films like Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966). Roy would make some better films, such as Texas Across the River (1966) and The Reivers (1969).297, 1931-1970; 76 (uncredited), 207 westerns
- Edward Keane was born on 28 May 1884 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for A Night at the Opera (1935), The Roaring Twenties (1939) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). He was married to Helen. He died on 12 October 1959 in Los Angeles, California, USA.297, 1930-1955; +1 silent since 1921; 221 (uncredited), 31 westerns
- Actor
- Writer
Canadian native Edward Earle was born in Toronto on July 16, 1882, and was raised and schooled there. His stage career took form in Canada with an early emphasis on musical comedy, and he later toured in vaudeville and stock in association with Belasco, DeWolf Hopper Sr., Marie Cahill and the Schuberts, among other theatrical illuminaries. Making his Broadway debut in the comedy "The Triumph of Love" in 1904, his work on the stage eventually led to film parts in 1914.
Earle entered via the Edison film company and emerged a star not long after, distinguishing himself at other studios as well, including Vitagraph, Famous Players, Metro, Warners and Columbia, with a tally of over 400 silent and talking films by the time he retired four decades later. Tawny blond, blue-eyed, well-built and with a clean-cut handsomeness, Earle was a natural for dashing, romantic silent film leads. He gained initial film attention starring in Edison's "Olive's Opportunities" one-reeler series paired opposite Mabel Trunnelle in 1914 and 1915. Adding dash and verve to such silents as Ranson's Folly (1915), a western also showcasing Ms. Trunelle; The Innocence of Ruth (1916); The Light of Happiness (1916) and The Gates of Eden (1916), all opposite a dramatic Viola Dana, he went on to dress up everything from stalwart war dramas (For France (1917)) to mystery comedies (The Blind Adventure (1918)). From 1917 through 1919, he and Agnes Ayres enjoyed great success in a series of two-reeler shorts based on the works of O. Henry.
Earle ventured into the 1920s with such stylish movie showcases as East Lynne (1921), False Fronts (1922) and The Dangerous Flirt (1924), but then began to falter into second leads and support roles, which including the George Arliss starrer The Man Who Played God (1922), the Marie Prevost comedy How to Educate a Wife (1924), little Baby Peggy's showcase The Family Secret (1924), Colleen Moore's comedy romance Irene (1926), the John Gilbert/Joan Crawford sea tale Twelve Miles Out (1927), and Conrad Nagel's part talking prohibition tale Kid Gloves (1929). Come the advent of sound Earle was offered character parts and by the end of the pre-Code talkies era was relegated to bit and unbilled extra parts in Shirley Temple, Laurel and Hardy and Marx Bros. flicks.
He continued to appear throughout the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and tended to be more visible in oaters and serial cliffhangers. Extremely athletic with a daredevil instinct, he tried his hand as an artist, aviator and automobile racing car driver. Retiring in the early 1960s, Earle eventually retired to the Woodland Hills, California Motion Picture Country Home, where he passed away from complications of old age at age 90 in 1972.297, 1929-1956; +47 silent since 1913; 225 (uncredited), 33 westerns- Sam Flint was born on 19 October 1882 in Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA. He was an actor, known for My Pal Trigger (1946), A Face in the Fog (1936) and Junior Prom (1946). He was married to Ella Ethridge. He died on 17 October 1980 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA.296, 1933-1968; 209 (uncredited), 76 westerns
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Edward LeSaint was born on 13 December 1870 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. He was an actor and director, known for Modern Times (1936), Merely Mary Ann (1920) and Only a Shop Girl (1922). He was married to Stella Razeto. He died on 10 September 1940 in Los Angeles, California, USA.296, 1929-1940; +1 silent 1923; 207 (uncredited), 70 westerns- Actor
- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Carl Leviness is a perfect example of somebody who appeared as an extra in films because they loved doing so. The distinguished looking Leviness started appearing in stage productions in the early 1900s. He eventually got a job at the Thanhouser Company as an actor in many of its' silent films in what was the start of a long colorful career.
By the early 1910s, Leviness became an assistant director for some of the films produced by Thanhouser. Like many people in their job, Leviness wanted to move up the ladder and he eventually left the company to go to get work as a director in early films. Eventually companies wanted to get away from Thomas Edison and his desire to corner the market on films and to own everybody's work so they all migrated to California.
Leviness was never too comfortable with dialog and while his appearance was ideal for socialite sequences, Livess was only in his 40s when he started appearing in film. Whether then fight the daily grind of trying to get a speaking role in films, Leviness drifted into the background and appeared in various productions.
Heavily admired by his peers, directors like John Ford and Alfred Hitchcock regularly put Leviness and other old timers to work in their productions. Ford respected him so much that he usually put him in little roles that required a small bit of dialog or for the actor to be ungraded to a silent bit. He eventually retired shortly before his death but not before leaving a reputation of being loved and respected by everybody who worked with him.296, 1928-1963; +2 silent 1926; 297 (uncredited), 9 westerns- Actor
- Stunts
- Soundtrack
Kermit Maynard was born on 20 September 1897 in Vevay, Indiana, USA. He was an actor, known for The Fighting Texan (1937), Valley of Terror (1937) and Phantom Patrol (1936). He was married to Edith Jessen. He died on 16 January 1971 in North Hollywood, California, USA.293, 1929-1962; +7 silent since 1926; 209 (uncredited), 291 westerns- Blackie Whiteford was born on 27 April 1889 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Man from New Mexico (1932), The Fighting Coward (1935) and The Black Coin (1936). He was married to Alma Bennett. He died on 21 March 1962 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.292, 1929-1962; +3 silents 1928; 272 (uncredited), 213 westerns
- American cowboy and actor Slim Whitaker was working the rodeo circuit at age 17, eventually becoming a cowhand on the Chowchilla Ranch in central California. In 1912 he was hired as a riding extra and stunt man by Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson for westerns being filmed in Niles Canyon, CA. During the silent era his peers were Hal Taliaferro, Al Bridge, Charles King, Ken Maynard, Yakima Canutt, Walter Brennan, Hoot Gibson, a very young John Wayne and many others. He was one of the most prolific of the B-western bad guys and supporting actors. His movie career spanned 36 years, from the silents through the post-World War II period, and he appeared in over 300 films.289, 1930-1949; +59 silent since 1914; 184 (uncredited), 320 westerns
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Harry Tyler was born on 13 June 1888 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Naked Street (1955) and Woman Who Came Back (1945). He was married to Gladys Crolius. He died on 15 September 1961 in Hollywood, California, USA.289, 1929-1959; 218 (uncredited), 35 westerns