Finlay Currie
(1878 - 1968)| This great Scottish character actor with his craggy, but kindly, face and flowing white mane enjoyed one of the longest careers in acting history. The roles he played most often were benevolent, gentl ...Click on photo to read biography |
Jane Darwell
(1879 - 1967)| One of the greatest female character actors ever, matronly, motherly Jane Darwell excelled in every role. She was like everyone's grandmother, kind, warm and loving. Of medium height, plump and stocky ...Click on photo to read biography |
Henry Travers
(1874 - 1965)| Few actors have created such memorable roles as the popular and beloved Henry Travers. Born Travers Heagerty in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, England on March 5, 1874, he had a long career on the British stage ...Click on photo to read biography |
Kathleen Freeman
(1919 - 2001)| Kathleen Freeman is probably one of the most recognized actresses in the entertainment world yet few know her name. Born in Chicago, Illinois on February 17, 1919, to a pair of vaudeville performers, ...Click on photo to read biography |
James Robertson-Justice
(1905 - 1975)| One of the great British character actors, he was born James Norval Harald Robertson-Justice in Wigtown, Scotland on June 15, 1905. He was educated at both Marlborough College in England and Bonn Univ ...Click on photo to read biography |
Jimmy Finlayson
(1887 - 1953)| One of the funniest and most underrated character actors of all time, Fin, as he was affectionately known, born in Falkirk, Scotland on August 27, 1887, was best known as the foil to the greatest come ...Click on photo to read biography |
S.Z.(Cuddles) Sakall
(1884 - 1955)| "Cuddles" Sakall was one of my first favorite character actors. I can remember how sad I was, as a kid, the day in 1955 that I learned he had died. As an actor he fell into many categories, comedy, dr ...Click on photo to read biography |
Cecil Kellaway
(1893 - 1973)| Twice nominated for an Academy Award, this charming character actor was mostly identified as an Irishman though he was born in Capetown, South Africa on August 22, 1893 and lived in Australia where he ...Click on photo to read biography |
Beulah Bondi
(1888 - 1981)| She was most often seen in the role of a mother of the star of the film. Of slight stature, with a gaunt, pale looking face, dark hair and deep-set, penetrating eyes, she was a veteran actress who wor ...Click on photo to read biography |
Douglas Fowley
(1911 - 1998)| Many actors become identified with one particular film or role. In the case of this prolific thespian, that film is "Battleground" (1949) one of the best war films ever made. He played the role of 'Ki ...Click on photo to read biography |
Marion Lorne
(1885 - 1968)| One of the truly great character actors, a small, stocky, plumpish lady with a sweet, smiling face, small heart-shaped mouth and quizzical eyes, she was born August 12, 1885 (some sources say 1883, ot ...Click on photo to read biography |
Dick Wesson
(1919 - 1996)| He was the epitome of the wisecracking, class-clown type character. Born Richard Lewis Wesson on February 20, 1919 in Idaho, he formed a comedy team "the Wesson Brothers" with his brother Gene as a yo ...Click on photo to read biography |
Louis Calhern
(1895 - 1956)| Louis Calhern was an imposing figure; tall, with a kindly face framed with a mane of white hair, a distinguished looking white mustache, with a velvety smooth voice, and a very debonair air about him. ...Click on photo to read biography |
George.(Gabby) Hayes
(1885 - 1969)| Arguably the most popular and recognizable sidekick of all time, George "Gabby" Hayes was a veteran of hundreds of Western films yet he was born in Wellsville, New York on May 7, 1885. His toothless g ...Click on photo to read biography |
William Fawcett
(1894 - 1974)| William Fawcett was born on September 8, 1894 in High Forest, Minnesota. After obtaining a Phd he became a Professor of Theatre Arts at Michigan State University. In the 1940s he decided to try out th ...Click on photo to read biography |
Jesslyn Fax
(1893 - 1975)| Very little is known of this wonderful little character actress but her memorable portrayals warrant her a high place on any list of great character actors. She was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on ...Click on photo to read biography |
Anton Diffring
(1918 - 1989)| The first villain on our list is an actor noted for playing vile, despicable characters; Nazis mostly. With his fair hair, stern face and chiseled features he was perfect for these parts. Born in Kobl ...Click on photo to read biography |
Olan Soule
(1909 - 1994)| To fans of the "Captain Midnight" TV series of the 1950s, this bespectacled face is most familiar. Olan Soule was born February 28, 1909 in La Harpe, Illinois and began his career in radio soap operas ...Click on photo to read biography |
Cheerio Meredith
(1890 - 1964)| This sweet little lady actress had a fairly short-lived career which began late in her senior years, but the appearances she made were quite memorable. She was a tiny lady with chipmunk cheeks and a s ...Click on photo to read biography |
Philip Ober
(1902 - 1982)| Many character actor's faces will remind you of a certain film or type of character. In the case of Philip Ober, for me, it is a single scene. Bald, with a stern looking face and intense eyes, he was ...Click on photo to read biography |
Cameron Prud'Homme
(1892 - 1967)| Cameron Prud'Homme, who was born in Auburn, California on December 16, 1892, began his career on the stage and in radio dramas before entering film & TV. He was of the Ed Begley, Will Geer, J.C. Flipp ...Click on photo to read biography |
Harriet MacGibbon
(1905 - 1987)| Harriet MacGibbon was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 5, 1905 and grew up in New York state where she made her Broadway debut in 1923. She worked on the stage for some 20 years. She later worked ...Click on photo to read biography |
Syd Saylor
(1895 - 1962)| He was one of those actors that put the "character" in character actor! With a rubbery face and bulgy eyes, his trademarks were his warbly voice, a slight stutter and his "dancing" Adam's apple. He wa ...Click on photo to read biography |
Clarence Kolb
(1874 - 1964)| He was the epitome of the veteran businessman, boss or tycoon with his raspy, tenorish voice, distinctive white mustache and stern demeanor. Born July 31, 1874 in Cleveland, Ohio, he started in the en ...Click on photo to read biography |
Rhys Williams
(1897 - 1969)| This great Welsh character actor was discovered by director John Ford as he worked as technical advisor and language consultant on the film "How Green Was My Valley." Born in Wales on December 31, 189 ...Click on photo to read biography |
Howard McNear
(1905 - 1969)| Howard McNear is one of the most memorable of all character actors. Born in Los Angeles, California on January 27, 1905, he was known for his unusual stuttering speech patterns...interrupted and then ...Click on photo to read biography |
Clem Bevans
(1879 - 1963)| Clem Bevans was so adept at playing the cantankerous, but lovable, "old coot" that he made it an art. He was born October 16, 1879 in Cozaddale, Ohio and began his career on stage, in burlesque and va ...Click on photo to read biography |
Gertrude Hoffman
(1871 - 1966)| She was one of my all-time favorite character actors. Born in Heidelberg, Germany on May 17, 1871, she started her acting career late in her senior years. Her distinctive features were her pure white ...Click on photo to read biography |
Alfonso Bedoya
(1904 - 1957)| We discussed actors who remind us of a scene or of a particular film but here is an actor noted for a single line of dialogue. He was the perfect Mexican bandido with his weather-beaten face, and mena ...Click on photo to read biography |
Al St.John
(1893 - 1963)| He was best known as "Fuzzy" St. John or "Fuzzy Q. Jones" in western films and was one of my own personal favorite cowboy sidekicks...most often with Buster Crabbe. Originally he h ...Click on photo to read biography |
Andrew Keir
(1926 - 1997)| By now it's probably been noticed that a lot of my favorite character actors are of Scottish descent and there are some great ones including Andrew Keir. Keir was born April 3, 1926 in Lanarkshire, Sc ...Click on photo to read biography |
Hank Worden
(1901 - 1992)| Another character actor best known for a single role, he was in reality a bona-fide cowboy. Born Norton Earl Worden in Rolfe, Iowa on July 23, 1901, he was raised on a Montana cattle ranch and became ...Click on photo to read biography |
Charles Coburn
(1877 - 1961)| He was a Southern gentleman born Charles Douville Coburn in Savannah, Georgia on June 17, 1877. He worked his way up from program boy to manager in a local theatre and eventually switched to acting hi ...Click on photo to read biography |
Edna.May Oliver
(1883 - 1942)| This wonderful character actress created many fabulous roles in her career. She was born Edna May Nutter on November 9, 1883 in Malden, Massachusetts and I'd always thought she ...Click on photo to read biography |
Sara Allgood
(1883 - 1950)| This diminutive character actress was a stocky little woman with a bun of dark hair, close set eyes, a tiny nose and a small, stern-looking mouth which gave her a look or air of authority. She could p ...Click on photo to read biography |
Harry.R.(Tim) Moore
(1888 - 1958)| The first black character actor on my list is also one of the best ever. I think he's my favorite television performer of all time. Although he may ...Click on photo to read biography |
John Hamilton
(1886 - 1958)| Any kid who ever watched Superman on TV in the 50s will recognize this great character actor. John Rummel Hamilton was born January 16, 1886 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and began his acting career o ...Click on photo to read biography |
Ian Bannen
(1928 - 1999)| Ian Bannen is one character actor to watch. Lean and dark with sharp features and a canny, cagey look in his eye, he ground out one fascinating portrayal after another. He was born June 29, 1928 in Ai ...Click on photo to read biography |
Chief.Dan George
(1899 - 1981)| This charismatic actor is best known for his role in the film "Little Big Man" as Old Lodge Skins. He had a charming screen presence not seen in a long time, with his gentle l ...Click on photo to read biography |
Brian Cox
(1946 - )| One of the best character actors working today is the chameleon-like Brian Cox. He was born Brian Denis Cox on June 1, 1946 in Dundee, Scotland and was educated at Lambda. He was raised a Catholic. He ...Click on photo to read biography |
Anne Ramsey
(1929 - 1988)| Contrary to her onscreen persona, Anne Ramsey was a very sweet and kindly person in her everyday life. I had seen her on talk shows and this was reflected in her humility. I specifically chose this pi ...Click on photo to read biography |
Ruth McDevitt
(1895 - 1976)| She was one of the most popular 'Little Old Lady' actresses in all of show business. Ruth McDevitt was born Ruth Thane Shoecraft in Coldwater, Michigan on September 13, 1895. She appeared in nearly ev ...Click on photo to read biography |
James Nusser
(1905 - 1979)| One of my all time favorite TV character actors, very little is known about James Nusser. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 3, 1905 one of four brothers. He started his acting and performing caree ...Click on photo to read biography |
Sessue Hayakawa
(1889 - 1973)| One of the all-time greats, Sessue Hayakawa had a long and distinguished career. Born June 10, 1889 in Chiba, Japan, he began acting after he was rejected by the Japanese Navy due to a hearing loss. H ...Click on photo to read biography |
Verna Felton
(1890 - 1966)| She was one of the most endearing character actresses around. Born in Salinas, California on July 20, 1890, she appeared on stage, radio, screen and television. Her best known assets were her cheeky, ...Click on photo to read biography |
Walter Catlett
(1889 - 1960)| Being an avid movie lover, I really do appreciate the work of great character actors and I'm constantly discovering "new" ones. At least to me these veteran actors are a new discovery. Walter Catlett ...Click on photo to read biography |
Eugene Pallette
(1889 - 1954)| If you were compiling a list of the most memorable voices in the entertainment business, Eugene Pallette would be right at the top. Born in Winfield, Kansas on July 8, 1889, to a theatrical family tou ...Click on photo to read biography |
Dean Jagger
(1903 - 1991)| When one thinks of Dean Jagger, the word gentleman comes to mind...with emphasis on the word "gentle." Born November 7, 1903 in Lima, Ohio and educated at Wabash College in Indiana, he began his actin ...Click on photo to read biography |
Cathleen Nesbitt
(1888 - 1982)| She was the epitome of the British grand dame. Born in Cheshire, England on November 24, 1888, she was educated at Queen's University in Belfast and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris. She made her Lond ...Click on photo to read biography |
Michael Hordern
(1911 - 1995)| High at the top of my list of favorite character actors is the sad-faced, mournful looking Sir Michael Hordern. He was an absolute joy to watch in the variety of roles he created. Born October 3, 1911 ...Click on photo to read biography |
Hope Emerson
(1897 - 1960)| This Amazonian lady was a wonderful character actress. Born October 29, 1897 in Hawarden, Iowa she began her acting career in vaudeville and on stage in comedy roles. Her six-foot-two, 230 pound frame ...Click on photo to read biography |
Arthur Hunnicutt
(1911 - 1979)| One of the better Western character actors, Arthur Hunnicutt was born February 17, 1911 in Gravelly, Arkansas and educated at Arkansas State Teachers College. He taught school for a time during the De ...Click on photo to read biography |
Malcolm Atterbury
(1907 - 1992)| We often mistake one actor for another and because of that fact I intentionally put Malcolm Atterbury next to Arthur Hunnicutt as I often confuse these two marvelous actors. They play similar type rol ...Click on photo to read biography |
Don Hayden
(1926 - 1998)| Don Hayden was an originator of the loyal, sometimes flaky, boyfriend in sitcoms. He was born September 12, 1926 in Los Angeles, California to a theatrical family. His mother, actress Lela Bliss (1896 ...Click on photo to read biography |
Willie Best
(1916 - 1962)| Another "My Little Margie" alumni (there are four on this page) with an illustrious career was Willie Best. He was born in Sunflower, Mississippi on May 27, 1916 (some sources say 1913). He began his ...Click on photo to read biography |
Andy Clyde
(1892 - 1967)| A working actor up to the time of his death, Andy Clyde enjoyed a prolific career. Born March 25, 1892 in Blairgowrie, Scotland he, like many of his contemporaries, got his start in vaudeville in the ...Click on photo to read biography |
Martita Hunt
(1900 - 1969)| Martita Hunt was so regal that it's very difficult to realize that she was not a Royal. Tall and stately looking with a long distinguished face framed by an elegant coif of hair, kindly hazel eyes and ...Click on photo to read biography |
Charlie Ruggles
(1886 - 1970)| My favorite Charlie Ruggles role was as Maj. Horace Applegate, the big game hunter in the screwball comedy "Bringing Up Baby" (1938) with Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant, one of many hilarious roles ...Click on photo to read biography |
Iron_Eyes Cody
(1904 - 1999)| There has always been an abundance of fine Native American character actors yet often a non-Indian is cast in such a role. This practice seems to "cheapen" a movie when there ar ...Click on photo to read biography |
Andy Devine
(1905 - 1977)| Known for his raspy, high-pitched, bicycle-horn voice, large girth and amiable demeanor, Andy Devine was a very popular character actor. He worked mostly in westerns as a sidekick, but easily fit into ...Click on photo to read biography |
Jessie.Royce Landis
(1904 - 1972)| Often the society matron, Jessie Royce Landis could play other types too. Born Jessie Royce Medbury November 25, 1904 in Chicago, Illinois she began her acting career on th ...Click on photo to read biography |
Oscar Homolka
(1898 - 1978)| We all cherish the lovable character actors: sidekicks, businessmen, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc., but where would the movies be without the villain. Oscar Homolka was adept at playing villains. Of m ...Click on photo to read biography |
Will Sampson
(1933 - 1987)| This wonderful, gigantic Indian was a gem of an actor. Born in 1933 at Okmulgee, Oklahoma of Creek Indian parents he worked at all types of jobs including as an oil field worker, rodeo bull rider and ...Click on photo to read biography |
Frank Morgan
(1890 - 1949)| Frank Morgan is probably the most recognizable character actor on this page. He was born Francis Philip Wuppermann on June 1, 1890 in New York City, New York, one of 11 children of a prosperous manufa ...Click on photo to read biography |
Rondo Hatton
(1894 - 1946)| One of the sadder stories in Hollywood history is that of Rondo Hatton. He was born April 22, 1894 in Hagerstown, Maryland and was a victim of acromegaly, a disease which causes facial deformities. Th ...Click on photo to read biography |
Percy Helton
(1894 - 1971)| Another of those unmistakable character actor voices belonged to Percy Helton. It was a cross between a squeak toy and a raspy gasp. He was born January 31, 1894 in New York City into a theatrical fam ...Click on photo to read biography |
Billie Burke
(1885 - 1970)| Wistful, flighty, bubbly, energetic and even ditsy, all adjectives to describe the persona of Billie Burke's character creations. She was born Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke on August 7, 1885 i ...Click on photo to read biography |
Selma Diamond
(1920 - 1985)| She came into acting from a completely different field...that of comedy writing. She had immediate success as she had all the elements of a great character actor: looks, attitude and a terrific voice. ...Click on photo to read biography |
Byron Foulger
(1898 - 1970)| His was a very familiar face and voice in movies and on television. A short, lean man with spectacles and mustache, he seemed to have a perpetual squint, along with his whiny voice and nervous manner ...Click on photo to read biography |
Tim Scott
(1938 - 1995)| Although he most often shone in the roles he played, it was his work in the great mini-series "Lonesome Dove" (1989) in an ensemble cast with the likes of Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, ...Click on photo to read biography |
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