In today’s guest post, Nell Musolf writes about the life and career of Tony Award winning character actor Jack Cassidy remembered for his role in the Broadway musicals Alive and Kicking, and Wish You Were Here. Cassidy also starred opposite Clint Eastwood in the Eiger Sanction
Read more →Character Actors
Viva Vigoda!
He’s immediately recognizable to fans of The Godfather, Barney Miller, and Conan O’Brien, and he’s had thirty years practice at letting us know he’s still around. We didn’t have to “Fish” for compliments to iconic character player Abe Vigoda.
Read more →Elisha Cook, Jr.: Hollywood’s Lightest Heavy
This installment of “Scene Stealers” spotlights diminutive supporting actor Elisha Cook, Jr., who portrayed hot-tempered gunmen, petty crooks, and shady lowlifes in such films as The Maltese Falcon, Shane and The Killing…and usually wound up slapped, beaten or shot before the picture ended.
Read more →Margaret Hamilton: Wickedly Wonderful
There was more to the world of Margaret Hamilton than her iconic turn as the aquaphobic Wicked Witch of the West in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz. Learn about the life of the sharp-featured character actress who, when not frightening young moviegoers, was educating them as a kindergarten teacher!
Read more →Donald Meek: Meek by Name, Meek (Mostly) on the Screen
In more than 100 films in the 1930s and ’40s, character actor Donald Meek lived up his surname as mild-mannered clerks, doctors and other roles. Learn about the Stageocach and You Can’t Take It with You co-star’s life and career here.
Read more →State of Ward: An Appreciation of Fred Ward
His career has spanned 40 years, from leads to support and from blockbusters to indies, and at 70 years old, Fred Ward can still be counted on for a fascinating performance. We’re going to present our overview for a remarkable film resume.
Read more →Paul Douglas: Underrated Performer of the Week
Paul Douglas is one of the greatest character actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood. In this post, Rick29 presents a fascinating overview of Douglas’ all-too-brief career.
Read more →Eugene Pallette: Underrated Performer of the Week
One of the most reliable character actors of the 1930s and 1940s, Eugene Pallette was instantly recognizable by his signature deep, hoarse voice. In this article, guest blogger Rick29 takes a look at Pallette’s unforgettable career–one that spanned from the silent era to 1946.
Read more →Lionel Barrymore: A Crusty Curmugdeon…But Only On-Screen!
Lionel Barrymore is best remembered for his latter-day screen gallery of irascible oldsters good-natured and bad. This multi-talented exponent of a legendary American stage dynasty began carving his legacy as one of Hollywood’s greatest character stars from the earliest days of…
Read more →Remembering Ann Rutherford
Born in Canada in 1920, Ann Rutherford got her start in Hollywood as a teenager, acting in weekly serials. She made her feature-length screen debut in 1935’s Waterfront Lady. In the early years of her career, the young starlet appeared…
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