Don Beddoe(1903-1991)
- Actor
American character actor. Raised in New York City and Cincinnati, Ohio,
Beddoe was the son of a professor at the Cincinnati Conservatory of
Music who happened also to be the world-famous Welsh tenor, Dan Beddoe.
Although Don Beddoe intended a career in journalism, he took an
interest in theatre and became involved first with amateur companies
and then with professional theatre troupes. He debuted on Broadway in
1929 and kept up a decade-long career on the stage. Although said to
have made some minor appearances in silent films, Beddoe made his real
transfer to film work in 1938. He appeared in a wide range of
supporting roles in literally scores of films, often as either a
fast-talking reporter or as a mousey sort. He became one of the most
readily familiar faces in Hollywood movies, despite remaining almost
unknown by name outside the industry. Following service in the Army Air
Corps during the Second World War, he continued to work steadily in
small roles, complementing them with television work. Despite advancing
(and very ripe old) age, he remained quite active, supplementing his
acting work with a second career in real estate. He died in
1991.
