These guys were in EVERYTHING

[LVSteve]

Two long time character actors immediately come to mind. One is John Saxon. I don't remember him ever having any starring roles, but sometimes he would appear on 3 different TV shows in the same month.

He was the bad guy Sador in "Battle Beyond the Stars". Cult viewing for kids of all ages.

 

[Tex1001]

Paul Muni stands alone as the complete character actor.
He always became the person he was playing. Check out
his filmography.
His resume is most impressive.

 

[swsig]

One of the most recognizable character actors was Charles Lane (1905 - 2007).

He was one of the last survivors of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and had a 71-year marriage. He made 382 screen appearances over a 65-year career (1930 - 1995), often as a foil for his offscreen friend, Lucille Ball. When interviewed for his 100th birthday, he quipped, "I"m still available!".
Quite a character, indeed.

 

[Muley Gil]

One of the most recognizable character actors was Charles Lane (1905 - 2007).

He was one of the last survivors of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, and had a 71-year marriage. He made 382 screen appearances over a 65-year career (1930 - 1995), often as a foil for his offscreen friend, Lucille Ball. When interviewed for his 100th birthday, he quipped, "I"m still available!".
Quite a character, indeed.

I hated him for wanting to do away with the Hooterville Cannonball!!!!

 

[rwsmith]

Elisha Cook.....

Malachi Throne
John Carradine
Ellen Corby
Harry Carey Jr.
Ed Begley
Harry Morgan
Russel Johnson
Noah Beery
Royal Dano
Jack Elam

 

[rwsmith]

I think that a 'Buffalo Bob'....

Actors such as Roy Rogers, Clayton Moore (THE Lone Ranger) and William Boyd (Hopalong Cassidy) all knew the influence they had on kids and endeavored to live in a way that would not look hypocritical or disappoint their fans. Clayton Moore had been a circus performer prior to acting and he understood the image he had as the Lone Ranger and changed his lifestyle for the kids.

Back in the ‘70s a Roy Roger’s restaurant opened in the town I lived at the time. Roy Rogers himself came in the grand opening. I was working close by at the time and was unable to go but the place was swamped with fans. Lots of kids but they were taken there by their dads who were the ones who wanted to see Roy.

But in college I did get to see Buffalo Bob when he was touring college campuses. Howdy Doody was not with him.

...record that we have was from that period.

 

[UncleEd]

Marc Lawrence (gangster)

Marie Windsor (gun moll)

 

[soFlaNative]

James Hong
Born in Minnesota, hit the big screen in 1955 and still acting at age 95.

 

[ACORN]

L Q Jones
Usually played a ranch hand or henchman

 

[moosedog]

Fine actors, all of them.

 

[StrawHat]

Seeing Keenan Wynn and James Whitmore tap dancing was a treat.
Ted De Corsia, in a million movies.

Back then actors were all trained in multiple facets of the stage. At least the successfull ones.

Cagney and Hope were both hoofers also.

Kevin

 

[Jeff423]

Slightly off topic but Law and Order is one of my favorite shows. All seasons are now available on Hulu and I'm working my way through them. I've noticed several character actors that show up in different roles in different episodes. I think I became aware of them because I was watching several episodes in a short period of time.

 

[AKtinman]

Arthur Franz.

 

[RetCapt]

Character actors

Whit Bissell, the undertaker in "The Magnificent Seven"

One of my all time favorite movies.

AGREE! My all time favorite film. I commend your taste.

We even have a large framed poster of it on one wall in our living room, which is entirely western decorated.

I am blessed to have a bride who loves westerns as much as I do.

 

[DWalt]

Hundreds of “name” character actors, but I would put Jack Palance close to the top, along with Ward Bond.

 

[ZGrand]

Another character actor who seemed to be in everything in the '50's and '60's was John Dehner.

 

[GaryS]

How could we forget Alan Hale (Sr)?
He was sometimes "second banana" but he was always a comedic character actor.

Speaking of Second Bananas,

Tim Conway
Don Knotts

 

[rockquarry]

Another character actor who seemed to be in everything in the '50's and '60's was John Dehner.

John Dehner was in many episodes of "Gunsmoke". His best performance aired on 11-11-60, "The Badge". After Matt shoots him a few times, Dehner dies more dramatically and realistically than anyone on screen, ever.

Well worth watching if you can find the episode.

 

[rockquarry]

Another character actor who seemed to be in everything in the '50's and '60's was John Dehner.

John Dehner was in many episodes of "Gunsmoke". His best performance aired on 11-11-60, "The Badge". After Matt shoots him a few times, Dehner dies more dramatically and realistically than anyone on screen, ever. He has a half-wit outlaw partner; can't recall his name at the moment, but he played the medic on "Combat".

Well worth watching if you can find the episode.

 

[dave1918a2]

Don't forget Warren Stevens. Played many parts in300+ movies. And then there is the ultimate actor who was in well over 400 movies, the most ever. Eric Roberts.