John Penman "Blackie" Whiteford (April 27, 1889 – March 21, 1962) was an American film actor.
Blackie Whiteford | |
---|---|
Born | John Penman Whiteford April 27, 1889 New York City, U.S. |
Died | March 21, 1962 Hollywood, Los Angeles, U.S. | (aged 72)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1928–1962 |
Spouse(s) | Estelle Wills (divorced) Alma Bennett (m.1954–1958; her death) |
Biography
editIn 1903, Whiteford was a seaman between jobs when he was offered a chance to work on The Great Train Robbery film. That opportunity launched his cinematic career, which he claimed eventually included more than 2,000 films (though more likely to have been several hundred).[1][2] Whiteford appeared in more than 350 films between 1928 and 1962. A career character actor,[3] Whiteford is best known for appearing in 28 films with The Three Stooges between 1936 and 1956.[4]
Whiteford was reportedly married to Estelle Wills, an actress,[2] though this may have been a so-called common-law marriage.[1] Whiteford remarried in 1954 to actress Alma Bennett.
Selected filmography
edit- The Way of the Strong (1928) (uncredited)
- The Tiger's Shadow (1928)
- The Utah Kid (1930) (uncredited)
- Code of Honor (1930)
- The Cyclone Kid (1931)
- The Man from New Mexico (1932)
- Mark of the Spur (1932)
- Malay Nights (1932)
- The Scarlet Brand (1932)
- Breed of the Border (1933) (uncredited)
- King Kong (1933) - Member of Ship's Crew (uncredited)
- St. Louis Woman (1934)
- The Brand of Hate (1934)
- When Lightning Strikes (1934)
- Big Calibre (1935) (uncredited)
- Texas Jack (1935)
- Whoops, I'm an Indian! (1936)
- Grips, Grunts and Groans (1937)
- Valley of Terror (1937)
- The Last Horseman (1944)
- Riding West (1944)
- Sailor's Holiday (1944)
- The Lone Hand Texan (1947) (uncredited)
- Out West (1947)
- Hold That Lion! (1947) - Train passenger (uncredited)
- Crime on Their Hands (1948)
- The Traveling Saleswoman (1950) - Stock Footage Outlaw (uncredited)
- Three Hams on Rye (1950)
- Smoky Canyon (1952) - Townsman (uncredited)
- Up in Daisy's Penthouse (1953)
- Pals and Gals (1954)
- The Phantom Stagecoach (1957) - Townsman (uncredited)
References
edit- ^ a b Paul R. Spitzzeri, "Blackface in Los Angeles: A Photograph of Vaudeville Performer Estelle X. Wills, 1920s", The Homestead Blog, February 11, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019
- ^ a b Quigg, Jack (November 9, 1950). "Rough-Looking Blackie Whiteford Still Going Strong After 2,000 Films". St. Petersburg Times. p. 58. Retrieved June 8, 2016.
- ^ "Blackie Whiteford". b-westerns.com. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
- ^ "Cast Member : Blackie Whiteford". threestooges.net. Retrieved December 6, 2012.