1904-10-16 Pattonsburg, Missouri, USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wild Bill Elliott (October 16, 1904 – November 26, 1965) was an American film actor. He specialized in playing the rugged heroes of B Westerns, particularly the Red Ryder series of films. By 1925, he was getting occasional extra work in films. He took classes at the Pasadena Playhouse and appeared in a few stage roles there. By 1927, he had made his first Western, The Arizona Wildcat, playing his first featured role. Several co-starring roles followed, and he renamed himself Gordon Elliott. But as the studios made the transition to sound films, he slipped back into roles as an extra and bit parts, as in Broadway Scandals, in 1929. For the next eight years, he appeared in over a hundred films for various studios, but almost always in unbilled parts as an extra. Elliott began to be noticed in some minor B Westerns, enough so that Columbia Pictures offered him the title role in a serial, The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1938). The serial was so successful, and Elliott so personable, that Columbia promoted him to starring in his own series of Western features, replacing Columbia's number-two cowboy star Robert "Tex" Allen. Henceforth Gordon Elliott would be known as Bill Elliott. Within two years, he was among the Motion Picture Herald's Top Ten Western Stars, where he would remain for the next 15 years. In 1943, Elliott signed with Republic Pictures, which cast him in a series of Westerns alongside George "Gabby" Hayes. The first of these, Calling Wild Bill Elliott, gave Elliott the name by which he would be best known and by which he would be billed almost exclusively for the rest of his career. Following several films in which both actor and character shared the name Wild Bill Elliott, he took the role for which he would be best remembered, that of Red Ryder in a series of sixteen movies about the famous comic strip cowboy and his young Indian companion, Little Beaver (played in Elliott's films by Bobby Blake). Elliott played the role for only two years but would forever be associated with it. Elliott's trademark was a pair of six guns worn butt-forward in their holsters. Elliott's career thrived during and after the Red Ryder films, and he continued making B Westerns into the early 1950s. He also had his own radio show during the late 1940s. His final contract as a Western star was with Monogram Pictures, where budgets declined as the B Western lost its audience to television. When Monogram became Allied Artists Pictures Corporation in 1953, it phased out its Western productions, and Elliott finished out his contract playing a homicide detective in a series of five modern police dramas, his first non-Westerns since 1938. Elliott retired from films (except for a couple of TV Western pilots which were not picked up). He worked for a time as a spokesman for Viceroy cigarettes and hosted a local TV program in Las Vegas, Nevada, which featured many of his Western films.
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It's Showtime | Self (archive footage) | 1976-03-31 |
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Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch | (archive footage) | 1976-05-01 |
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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? | Self (archive footage) | 1975-08-06 |
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Footsteps in the Night | Andy Doyle | 1957-04-14 |
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Chain of Evidence | Andy Doyle | 1957-01-06 |
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Calling Homicide | Andy Doyle | 1956-09-30 |
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Dial Red O | Andy Flynn / Andy Doyle | 1955-03-13 |
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Sudden Danger | Andy Doyle | 1955-12-14 |
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The Forty-Niners | Sam Nelson | 1954-07-30 |
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Bitter Creek | Clay Tyndall | 1954-02-21 |
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Topeka | Jim Levering | 1953-08-09 |
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Rebel City | Frank Graham | 1953-05-10 |
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Vigilante Terror | Tack Hamlin | 1953-11-15 |
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The Homesteaders | Mace Corbin | 1953-03-22 |
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Fargo | Bill Martin | 1952-09-07 |
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Kansas Territory | Joe Daniels | 1952-05-04 |
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The Maverick | Pete Devlin | 1952-12-14 |
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Waco | Matt Boone | 1952-02-24 |
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The Longhorn | Jim Kirk | 1951-11-25 |
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The Marshall of Trail City | Wild Bill Elliott | 1950-05-10 |
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The Showdown | Shadrach Jones | 1950-08-15 |
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The Savage Horde | Ringo | 1950-05-22 |
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The Last Bandit | Frank Norris / Frank Plummer | 1949-02-25 |
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Hellfire | Zeb Smith | 1949-05-29 |
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The Gallant Legion | Gary Conway | 1948-05-24 |
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Old Los Angeles | Bill Stockton | 1948-04-24 |
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Wyoming | Charles Alderson | 1947-07-28 |
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The Fabulous Texan | Josie Allen | 1947-11-09 |
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In Old Sacramento | Johnny Barrett / Spanish Jack | 1946-05-31 |
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The Plainsman and the Lady | Sam Colton | 1946-11-11 |
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California Gold Rush | Red Ryder | 1946-02-04 |
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Sun Valley Cyclone | Red Ryder | 1946-05-10 |
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Conquest of Cheyenne | Red Ryder | 1946-07-29 |
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Sheriff of Redwood Valley | Red Ryder | 1946-03-29 |
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Bells of Rosarita | Wild Bill Elliott | 1945-06-19 |
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Lone Texas Ranger | Red Ryder | 1945-05-20 |
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Wagon Wheels Westward | Red Ryder | 1945-12-21 |
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Great Stagecoach Robbery | Red Ryder | 1945-02-15 |
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Marshal of Laredo | Red Ryder | 1945-10-06 |
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Phantom of the Plains | Red Ryder | 1945-09-07 |
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Colorado Pioneers | Red Ryder | 1945-11-14 |
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Vigilantes of Dodge City | Red Ryder | 1944-11-15 |
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Tucson Raiders | Red Ryder | 1944-05-14 |
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Mojave Firebrand | Wild Bill Elliott | 1944-03-19 |
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Sheriff of Las Vegas | Red Ryder | 1944-12-31 |
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Marshal of Reno | Red Ryder | 1944-07-02 |
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Hidden Valley Outlaws | Bill Elliott | 1944-04-01 |
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Cheyenne Wildcat | Red Ryder | 1944-09-30 |
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San Antonio Kid | Red Ryder | 1944-08-16 |
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Bordertown Gun Fighters | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-07-08 |
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Wagon Tracks West | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-08-18 |
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Calling Wild Bill Elliott | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-04-30 |
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Death Valley Manhunt | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-11-25 |
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The Man from Thunder River | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-06-11 |
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Overland Mail Robbery | Wild Bill Elliott | 1943-11-20 |
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Vengeance of the West | Joaquin Murietta aka The Black Shadow | 1942-08-16 |
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The Valley of Vanishing Men | Wild Bill Tolliver | 1942-12-17 |
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Prairie Gunsmoke | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1942-07-16 |
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Bullets for Bandits | 'Wild' Bill Hickok / Prince Katey | 1942-02-12 |
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The Lone Star Vigilantes | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1942-01-01 |
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North of the Rockies | Sergeant Bill Cameron | 1942-04-02 |
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The Devil's Trail | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1942-05-14 |
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The Son of Davy Crockett | Dave Crockett | 1941-07-15 |
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Across the Sierras | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-02-13 |
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The Return of Daniel Boone | Wild Bill Boone | 1941-05-07 |
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Tank Patrol | Bluey | 1941-06-16 |
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Hands Across the Rockies | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-06-19 |
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King of Dodge City | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-08-14 |
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Roaring Frontiers | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-10-15 |
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North from the Lone Star | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1941-03-30 |
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Prairie Schooners | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1940-09-29 |
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Pioneers of the Frontier | Wild Bill Saunders | 1940-02-14 |
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The Man from Tumbleweeds | Wild Bill Saunders | 1940-05-02 |
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The Return of Wild Bill | Wild Bill Saunders | 1940-06-26 |
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The Wildcat of Tucson | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1940-12-31 |
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Beyond the Sacramento | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1940-11-11 |
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Frontiers of '49 | John Freeman | 1939-01-19 |
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The Law Comes to Texas | John Haynes | 1939-04-16 |
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Overland with Kit Carson | Kit Carson | 1939-07-21 |
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The Taming of the West | Wild Bill Saunders | 1939-12-07 |
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The Roaring Twenties | Bootlegger (uncredited) | 1939-10-28 |
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The Lady in the Morgue | Chauncey Courtland | 1938-04-22 |
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In Early Arizona | Whit Gordon | 1938-11-02 |
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Letter of Introduction | Backgammon Man (uncredited) | 1938-08-05 |
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The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok | 'Wild' Bill Hickok | 1938-06-30 |
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Boy of the Streets | Dr. Allan | 1938-01-08 |
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Midnight Court | City Attorney Seabrook | 1937-03-06 |
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You Can't Have Everything | Lulu's Bathing Companion (uncredited) | 1937-08-02 |
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Wife, Doctor and Nurse | Bruce Thomas | 1937-09-17 |
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Melody for Two | Walter Wilson | 1937-05-01 |
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Boots and Saddles | Jim Neale | 1937-10-04 |
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Love Takes Flight | Bill Parker | 1937-11-05 |
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Roll Along, Cowboy | Odie Fenton | 1937-10-18 |
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Michael O'Halloran | Little Lord Fauntleroy (uncredited) | 1937-05-15 |
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Swing It Professor | Randall | 1937-03-13 |
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Down the Stretch | Robert Bates | 1936-09-18 |
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Romance in the Air | Announcer | 1936-05-16 |
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The Murder of Dr. Harrigan | Kenneth Martin | 1936-01-11 |
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Trailin' West | Jefferson Duane | 1936-09-04 |
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The Case of the Black Cat | Sam Laxter | 1936-10-31 |
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Two Against the World | News Commentator (uncredited) | 1936-07-11 |
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The Case of the Velvet Claws | Carl Griffin | 1936-07-03 |
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Fugitive in the Sky | Ramon Duval | 1936-11-28 |
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Bullets or Ballots | Hunter - Bank Worker (uncredited) | 1936-06-06 |
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China Clipper | Pilot (uncredited) | 1936-08-11 |
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Murder by an Aristocrat | Dave Thatcher | 1936-06-13 |
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Guns of the Pecos | Wellman, a Dude | 1936-12-28 |
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King of Hockey | 2nd Radio Announcer | 1936-12-19 |
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Polo Joe | Don Trumbeau | 1936-11-04 |
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The Big Noise | Sharp, Board of Directors Member (uncredited) | 1936-06-22 |
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Page Miss Glory | Reporter (uncredited) | 1935-09-07 |
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Broadway Gondolier | Reporter | 1935-07-27 |
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Bright Lights | Backstage Actor | 1935-07-27 |
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The Girl from 10th Avenue | James, Clerk at College Club | 1935-06-01 |
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Go Into Your Dance | Jackson's Secretary / Dorothy's Dance Partner | 1935-04-20 |
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The Payoff | Maxine's Casino Escort (uncredited) | 1935-01-09 |
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A Night at the Ritz | Vincent's Assistant (uncredited) | 1935-03-23 |
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'G' Men | Bootlegger Who Gives Eddie the Bottle Outside the Club (uncredited) | 1935-05-04 |
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Traveling Saleslady | Freddie | 1935-03-28 |
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Man of Iron | Charlie Fagan | 1935-12-21 |
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Dangerous | 1935-12-25 | |
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Personal Maid's Secret | Warren Sherrill | 1935-10-26 |
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Stars Over Broadway | Minor Role | 1935-11-23 |
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Dr. Socrates | Tom Collins - Greer's Associate | 1935-10-19 |
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The Goose and the Gander | Teddy | 1935-09-21 |
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The Right to Live | Wedding Guest | 1935-01-26 |
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Broadway Hostess | Playboy in 'Playboy of Paree' Number (uncredited) | 1935-12-07 |
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While the Patient Slept | Bank Teller (uncredited) | 1935-03-09 |
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The Woman in Red | Stuart Wyatt | 1935-02-16 |
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Moonlight on the Prairie | Jeff Holt | 1935-11-02 |
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The Case of the Howling Dog | Reporter in Courtroom (uncredited) | 1934-09-22 |
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Desirable | Party Guest | 1934-09-08 |
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A Lost Lady | Polo Match Spectator (uncredited) | 1934-09-29 |
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Registered Nurse | Male Nurse | 1934-04-06 |
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Smarty | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1934-05-19 |
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The Merry Frinks | Dancer (uncredited) | 1934-05-26 |
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Murder in the Clouds | Lt. Saunders | 1934-12-15 |
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The Secret Bride | Governor's Secretary (uncredited) | 1934-12-22 |
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Wonder Bar | Norman (uncredited) | 1934-03-31 |
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Midnight Mary | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1933-06-30 |
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Made on Broadway | Night Club Patron | 1933-05-19 |
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Private Detective 62 | Man at Roulette Table (Uncredited) | 1933-06-10 |
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Cocktail Hour | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1933-06-05 |
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The Keyhole | Partygoer (uncredited) | 1933-03-25 |
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Only Yesterday | New Year's Eve Reveler (Uncredited) | 1933-11-01 |
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Gold Diggers of 1933 | Night Club Patron (uncredited) | 1933-05-27 |
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Handlebars | Bicyclist (uncredited) | 1933-08-26 |
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Stage Mother | Audience Member / Dexter's Party Guest (uncredited) | 1933-09-29 |
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The Little Giant | Guest at Polly's Party (uncredited) | 1933-05-20 |
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Vanity Fair | Bit Role | 1932-03-15 |
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The Rich Are Always with Us | Gambler (uncredited) | 1932-05-19 |
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Merrily We Go to Hell | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1932-06-10 |
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A Successful Calamity | Polo Player (uncredited) | 1932-09-17 |
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Scarface | Man Outside Theatre (uncredited) | 1932-04-09 |
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Lady with a Past | Alex Brown (Uncredited) | 1932-02-19 |
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Jewel Robbery | Policeman Following Blonde (uncredited) | 1932-07-08 |
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The Greeks Had a Word for Them | Wedding Guest (uncredited) | 1932-02-03 |
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Bachelor's Affairs | Ship's Passenger / Dance Extra (uncredited) | 1932-06-26 |
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The Mummy | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1932-12-22 |
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Night After Night | Escort (uncredited) | 1932-10-29 |
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One Hour with You | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1932-03-23 |
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Traveling Husbands | Hotel Dining Room Guest | 1931-08-15 |
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Broadminded | Hotel Guest on Veranda | 1931-08-01 |
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Let's Do Things | Music Store Customer (uncredited) | 1931-06-06 |
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The Road to Reno | Party Boy | 1931-09-25 |
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Platinum Blonde | Ann's Beau (uncredited) | 1931-10-31 |
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West of Broadway | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1931-11-28 |
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Five and Ten | Wedding Guest (uncredited) | 1931-06-13 |
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Sweepstakes | Night Club Patron | 1931-07-10 |
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God's Gift to Women | Minor Role (uncredited) | 1931-04-13 |
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Blonde Crazy | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1931-09-16 |
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Delicious | Larry's Friend | 1931-12-27 |
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Left Over Ladies | Escort (uncredited) | 1931-09-30 |
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Born to Love | Hotel Dancer (uncredited) | 1931-04-17 |
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Party Husband | Wedding Party Guest | 1931-06-06 |
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Working Girls | Dance Extra / Lobby Extra (uncredited) | 1931-12-12 |
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The Public Defender | Country Club Guest | 1931-08-01 |
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The Girl Said No | Wedding Guest | 1930-03-15 |
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Born Reckless | Customer at Beretti's | 1930-05-11 |
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Going Wild | Physical Exam Onlooker | 1930-12-21 |
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Double Cross Roads | Party Guest | 1930-04-20 |
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Sunny | One of Tom's War Buddies | 1930-11-09 |
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Lord Byron of Broadway | Party-Goer | 1930-02-28 |
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She Who Gets Slapped | Poker Player | 1930-05-15 |
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The Truth About Youth | Nightclub Patron (uncredited) | 1930-11-03 |
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The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu | 1930-05-02 | |
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Part Time Wife | Golfer (uncredited) | 1930-11-30 |
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She Couldn't Say No | Gangster | 1930-02-15 |
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What Men Want | Party Boy | 1930-07-12 |
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Broadway Scandals | George Halloway | 1929-11-10 |
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The Great Divide | Ruth's Friend (uncredited) | 1929-09-15 |
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Night Parade | Party Guest | 1929-10-27 |
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The Boy Friend | Gordon Elliot | 1928-11-10 |
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Restless Youth | George Baxter | 1928-11-30 |
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Children of Divorce | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1927-04-25 |
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The Arizona Wildcat | Roy Schyler | 1927-11-20 |
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The Private Life of Helen of Troy | Telemachus | 1927-12-09 |
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The Drop Kick | Aggressive Student at Dance | 1927-09-25 |
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The Shamrock Handicap | Well-Wishing Villager | 1926-05-02 |
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Napoleon, Jr. | Flora's Father | 1926-11-14 |
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The Plastic Age | Athlete (uncredited) | 1925-12-15 |
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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ | Chariot Race Spectator (uncredited) | 1925-12-25 |
