American movie stars died in 1950
Here are 27 famous actors from United States of America died in 1950:
Rex Ingram
Rex Ingram (January 15, 1892 Dublin-July 21, 1950 North Hollywood) also known as Reginald Ingram Montgomery Hitchcock or Rex Hitchcock was an American writer, film director, screenwriter, actor and film producer.
He was born in Dublin, Ireland and moved to the United States in 1911. Ingram began his career as an actor in silent films before transitioning to directing in the 1920s. He is best known for his work on the films "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" (1921), "The Prisoner of Zenda" (1922), and "Scaramouche" (1923). Ingram was considered a master of the epic film genre and his films often featured extravagant sets and costumes. He was also known for his commitment to casting actors of color in prominent roles, making him a pioneer in promoting racial diversity in Hollywood. Despite his success during the silent era, Ingram's career declined with the advent of sound in the late 1920s. He continued to work in the film industry through the 1940s, but his later films were not as successful. Ingram died in North Hollywood in 1950 at the age of 58.
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Walter Huston
Walter Huston (April 5, 1883 Toronto-April 7, 1950 Hollywood) also known as Walter Houghston, Walter Houston, Walter Thomas Huston or Walter Thomas Houghston was an American actor, civil engineer and singer. His child is called John Huston.
Huston had a long and successful career in both stage and film, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards for his performances. He appeared in over 70 films, including "Dodsworth," "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," and "The Devil and Daniel Webster." He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" in 1948.
Huston was also a stage actor and director, starring in the original Broadway productions of "Dodsworth" and "Knickerbocker Holiday." He continued to perform on stage even as his film career took off, and was known for his commanding presence and powerful voice.
In addition to his work in entertainment, Huston was also an accomplished civil engineer. He worked on several major projects, including the construction of the Panama Canal.
Huston passed away in 1950 at the age of 67, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most respected actors of his time.
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Alan Hale, Sr.
Alan Hale, Sr. (February 10, 1892 Washington, D.C.-January 22, 1950 Hollywood) a.k.a. Rufus Edward Mackahan, Rufus Alan MacKahan, Alan Hale, Alan Hale Sr., Alan Rufus MacKahan, Edward Mackahan Rufus or Allan Hale was an American actor, film director and inventor. He had three children, Alan Hale, Jr., Jeanne Hale and Karen Hale.
Alan Hale, Sr. began his acting career on Broadway and later moved to Hollywood in 1915 where he made over 200 films. He became known for his roles in films such as "The Sea Hawk", "It Happened One Night", and "Robin Hood". In addition to his acting career, Hale was also a director and worked on several films including "The Man in the Iron Mask" and "Wild Boys of the Road".
Hale was also an inventor and held several patents for items such as a fishing reel and a collapsible toothbrush. He was known for his love of fishing, and even had a fishing boat named after him - the "Alan Hale, Jr.".
Hale passed away in 1950 at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy as a beloved character actor and a talented inventor.
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Pedro de Cordoba
Pedro de Cordoba (September 28, 1881 New York City-September 16, 1950 Sunland) also known as Pedro de Cordova, Pedro De Cordoba or Pedro DeCordoba was an American actor and voice actor.
Pedro de Cordoba appeared in over 200 movies in his career, often playing supporting roles in silent films and early talkies. He acted in a variety of genres, including dramas, westerns, and horror films. Some of his notable roles include appearances in "The Three Musketeers" (1921), "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (1931), and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938).
In addition to his work in film, de Cordoba was also involved in theater, appearing on Broadway in several productions. He also worked as a voice actor, providing the voice of the Archangel Raphael in the 1940 Disney film "Fantasia."
De Cordoba was a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild and served as the organization's treasurer for several years. He was also involved in politics and social activism, supporting progressive causes throughout his life.
De Cordoba passed away at his home in Sunland, California in 1950 at the age of 68. He is buried in Glendale, California.
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Charles Kemper
Charles Kemper (September 6, 1900 Oklahoma-May 12, 1950 Burbank) otherwise known as Charles Kemper and Company or Charles Kemper and Stooges was an American actor.
Kemper made his Broadway debut in 1926 and later transitioned to Hollywood films in the 1940s. He was known for his deep voice and often played roles as a tough, no-nonsense character. Kemper appeared in over 50 films in his career, including notable roles in "The Devil and Daniel Webster" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". He also had a regular role on the radio show "Cavalcade of America" and made appearances on early TV shows such as "The Lone Ranger" and "The Roy Rogers Show". Sadly, Kemper passed away at the age of 49 due to a heart attack.
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Maurice Costello
Maurice Costello (February 22, 1877 Pittsburgh-October 29, 1950 Hollywood) also known as Maurice George Costello, The Dimpled Darling or Stewart McKerrow was an American actor, film director, screenwriter and vaudeville performer. He had two children, Helene Costello and Dolores Costello.
Maurice Costello began his career in the entertainment business during the late 1890s as a vaudeville performer. He then made his transition to filmmaking during the silent movie era and appeared in over 200 films between 1908 and 1935. Costello was considered a leading man in early cinema and often starred in romantic dramas and comedies. In addition to acting, he also wrote and directed films.
Costello's daughters Helene and Dolores followed in their father's footsteps and became famous actresses in their own right. Helene was a popular silent film star and Dolores became a leading lady in the Golden Age of Hollywood, starring in films such as "The Magnificent Ambersons" and "Little Lord Fauntleroy".
Despite his success in the film industry, Costello struggled with alcoholism and financial troubles later in life. He passed away in 1950 at the age of 73.
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Frank Buck
Frank Buck (March 17, 1884 Gainesville-March 25, 1950 Houston) was an American writer, author, film director and actor.
He was best known for his adventurous spirit and his contribution to the field of exotic wildlife collection as a collector and tamer of wild animals. Growing up in Texas, Buck developed a deep curiosity and love of animals at a young age. He traveled extensively around the world, capturing and collecting animals from the jungles of Asia and the islands of the South Pacific. Buck's experiences led him to write several books, including "Bring 'Em Back Alive" and "Wild Cargo" which became bestsellers, and later inspired the creation of the comic book character, Frank Buck. He also appeared in numerous films as an actor, and directed several documentaries about his expeditions. Buck's legacy continues to influence the field of zoology and animal conservation to this day.
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William Garwood
William Garwood (April 28, 1884 Springfield-December 28, 1950 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Billy Garwood, William Davis Garwood, Jr. or Billy was an American actor and film director.
Garwood was the son of stage actors William Garwood and Esther Dale. He began his acting career at a young age on the stage in New York City before transitioning to film. He made his screen debut in 1909 and quickly became a popular leading man in silent films, appearing in more than 200 movies over the course of his career.
In addition to acting, Garwood tried his hand at directing, with some success. He directed several films in the 1920s, including "The Love Brand" and "The Phantom Fortune," both of which starred cowboy legend Tom Mix.
Garwood's acting career began to decline in the early 1930s, and he retired from the film industry in the mid-1930s. However, he continued to work in theater and television until his death in 1950.
Despite his many accomplishments, Garwood has been largely forgotten today, with many of his films lost or destroyed over time. Nonetheless, he remains an important figure in the history of American cinema, particularly in the development of the Western genre.
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Albert MacQuarrie
Albert MacQuarrie (January 8, 1882 San Francisco-February 17, 1950 Hollywood) also known as Al McQuarrie, Albert McQuarrie or Al MacQuarrie was an American actor.
He began his career in the silent film era and appeared in over 250 films throughout his career, mostly in supporting roles. MacQuarrie was known for his distinctive look which included a large nose and thick mustache, and often played tough-guy or comedic characters. He worked with notable directors such as Charlie Chaplin and Frank Capra.
MacQuarrie also worked in radio and appeared in popular programs such as "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" and "Lux Radio Theatre." In addition to acting, he was a skilled musician and played in several orchestras.
Despite his prolific career, MacQuarrie struggled with alcoholism and died from a heart attack at the age of 68. Despite his personal struggles, he is remembered as a talented character actor and a fixture in early Hollywood films.
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Frank MacQuarrie
Frank MacQuarrie (January 27, 1875 San Francisco-December 25, 1950 Los Angeles) also known as Frank McQuarrie, Frank M. MacQuarrie or Frank Michael MacQuarrie was an American actor.
He began his career in vaudeville before transitioning to film in the early 1900s. MacQuarrie appeared in over 200 films during his career, often portraying tough characters or authority figures. Some of his notable roles include a detective in the 1927 film "The Cat and the Canary" and a judge in the 1931 film "Five Star Final." MacQuarrie also worked as a film director and producer, and helped found the Screen Directors Guild in 1936. In addition, he was the co-founder of the Hollywood Correspondents Association, which later became the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. MacQuarrie continued to act throughout the 1940s, appearing in films such as "The Maltese Falcon" and "Mrs. Parkington." He passed away on Christmas Day in 1950 at the age of 75.
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Al Jolson
Al Jolson (May 26, 1886 Seredžius-October 23, 1950 San Francisco) a.k.a. AL JOLSON, Asa Yoelson, Mr. Al Jolson, Jolie, Albert Jolson or The World's Greatest Entertainer was an American singer, comedian and actor. He had three children, Al Jolson Jr., Alicia Jolson and Asa Jolson Jr..
Jolson was a pioneer in the field of sound recording, as he starred in the first talking picture, The Jazz Singer (1927). His trademark blackface performances, while controversial today, were popular during his time and he was known for his incredible stage presence and audience interaction. He recorded many hit songs in his career, including "Swanee," "My Mammy," and "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody." He was posthumously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 1961.
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Billy B. Van
Billy B. Van (August 3, 1878 Pottstown-November 16, 1950 Newport) a.k.a. Billy Van or William Webster Vandergrift was an American actor.
He began his career as a vaudeville performer and eventually transitioned to film, making his debut in "The Voice of the Violin" in 1909. Throughout his career, he appeared in over 200 films, often playing comedic roles. He was particularly known for his portrayal of "Eddie, the waiter" in the popular "Lunchroom Manners" series of short films. Van also had success in radio, starring in the popular program "The Smith Family" from 1939-1949. In addition to his acting career, Van was also an accomplished songwriter, penning hits such as "I'm Just Wild About Harry" and "Ain't Misbehavin'". He was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
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Hobart Cavanaugh
Hobart Cavanaugh (September 22, 1886 Virginia City-April 26, 1950 Woodland Hills) also known as Hobart Cavanagh was an American actor. His child is called Patricia Cavanaugh.
Hobart Cavanaugh appeared in over 180 films and television shows throughout his career. He began his acting career on the stage in New York and later transitioned into film. Cavanaugh was known for his versatility and played a wide range of characters, from comedic to dramatic roles.
He appeared in several well-known films, including "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1938), "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939), and "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947). Cavanaugh also appeared in popular television shows of the time, such as "I Love Lucy" and "The Lone Ranger."
Despite his successful career, Cavanaugh struggled with alcoholism and died at the age of 63 due to liver disease. Despite his personal struggles, he was highly respected in the industry for his talent and contributions to film and television.
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William A. Brady
William A. Brady (June 19, 1863 San Francisco-January 6, 1950 New York City) also known as William Brady, William Aloysius Brady or Wm. A. Brady was an American film producer, screenwriter, film director, promoter and actor. His children are called Alice Brady and William A. Brady.
William A. Brady began his career in show business as an actor, appearing on stage in the late 19th century. He later became a successful theatrical producer, working with stars like Ethel Barrymore and Douglas Fairbanks. In 1913, he formed the World Film Corporation, which produced several successful films including The Birth of a Nation and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He also co-founded the Brady-Ames Film Company in 1920, which helped launch the career of actress Mary Pickford.
In addition to his work in film, William A. Brady continued to produce plays and was a respected figure in the theater world. He also served as President of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry from 1924-1925. Despite his success, Brady's personal life was marred by tragedy. His daughter Alice Brady died at a young age, and his son William A. Brady Jr. died in a plane crash. Nevertheless, William A. Brady's contributions to the film industry helped shape it into what it is today.
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Christy Cabanne
Christy Cabanne (April 16, 1888 St. Louis-October 15, 1950 Philadelphia) also known as William Christy Cabanne, La Glade Christy, W. Christy Cabanne, W.C. Cabanne, Laclede Christy, Wm.C. Cabanne or Cabanne was an American screenwriter, film director and actor. He had two children, Audrey Cabanne and William Cabanne.
Cabanne began his career as an actor and appeared in dozens of films during the silent era. He later shifted his focus to screenwriting before directing his first film, The Arizona Cat Claw in 1919. Throughout his career, he directed over 100 films in a variety of genres, including westerns, drama, comedy and horror. Some of his most notable films include The Phantom of the Opera (1925), starring Lon Chaney, and Captain Thunder (1930), featuring John Wayne in his first starring role. Cabanne was known for his efficiency and ability to work quickly, often completing films in just a few days. He passed away in 1950 at the age of 62 due to heart failure.
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Hank Bell
Hank Bell (January 21, 1892 Los Angeles-February 4, 1950 Hollywood) a.k.a. Henry Branch Bell was an American actor.
He appeared in over 300 films, including many Westerns, between 1917 and 1952. Bell began his career as a stuntman in silent films, and later transitioned to acting roles. He was known for his rugged and weathered appearance and often played tough cowboys or villains. Despite his long career in Hollywood, Bell never became a leading man, but was always in high demand for supporting roles. He also worked as a second unit director and stunt coordinator on many films. Bell was a member of the Motion Picture Stuntmen's Association and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
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Bull Montana
Bull Montana (May 16, 1887 Voghera-January 24, 1950 Los Angeles) also known as Lewis Montagna, Luigi Montagna or Mr. Bull Montana was an American actor and wrestler.
Born in Italy, Montana immigrated to the United States as a child and began his career as a professional wrestler in the early 1900s. He quickly gained fame for his imposing size and strength and soon transitioned to the world of cinema. Montana appeared in several silent films, often playing the villain or heavy. He made a successful transition to sound films in the 1930s, typically playing tough guys or henchmen. Outside of acting, Montana was known for his philanthropy and often gave to children's charities. At the time of his death in 1950, he was widely regarded as one of Hollywood's most recognizable character actors.
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Thomas G. Lingham
Thomas G. Lingham (April 7, 1874 Indianapolis-February 19, 1950 Woodland Hills) a.k.a. Thomas Lingham, T.G. Lingham or Tom Lingham was an American actor.
Lingham began his career in the film industry as a cinematographer but later transitioned into acting. He appeared in over 150 films throughout his career, often playing supporting roles. He was known for his versatility as an actor and his ability to bring depth to even the smallest of characters.
Lingham worked with some of the biggest directors of the time, including D.W. Griffith, Cecil B. DeMille, and Frank Capra. He also acted alongside legendary stars such as Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, and Buster Keaton.
In addition to his film work, Lingham was active in the theater and appeared in several Broadway productions. He was also a founding member of the Screen Actors Guild, where he worked to improve working conditions and pay for actors in the industry.
Lingham retired from acting in the 1940s and spent his final years in Woodland Hills, California. He passed away in 1950 at the age of 76.
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Joe Bordeaux
Joe Bordeaux (March 9, 1886 Pueblo-September 10, 1950 Los Angeles) also known as Joe Bordeau or Joseph Emil Bordeaux was an American actor.
He appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, many of them in small or uncredited roles. He started his career in silent films, often playing supporting characters such as barbers or bartenders. Later, he transitioned into talking films and continued to play small roles in popular films such as "Gone with the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz." In addition to his work in films, Bordeaux was also a stage actor and performed in various theaters across the country. Before acting, he worked as a miner, machinist, and laborer. In his personal life, he was married once and had a daughter.
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Russ Powell
Russ Powell (September 16, 1875 Indianapolis-November 28, 1950 Los Angeles) also known as Russell Powell, R. Powell, J. Russell Powell or Rusell Powell was an American actor.
He began his career on stage, primarily working in theater productions throughout the early 1900s. Powell made a successful transition to film in the 1920s, appearing in dozens of silent films as a character actor. He continued acting in Hollywood throughout the sound era, appearing in over 150 films in total. Some of his notable roles include "One Million B.C." (1940), "Gunga Din" (1939), and "Dante's Inferno" (1935). Powell was known for his versatility and ability to play a wide range of characters, including military officers, doctors, cowboys, and even villains. He retired from acting in the late 1940s and passed away in 1950 at the age of 75.
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Dewey Robinson
Dewey Robinson (August 17, 1898 New Haven-December 11, 1950 Las Vegas) was an American actor.
He appeared in over 130 films in the span of his career, usually playing supporting roles as a character actor. Robinson started his acting career in Broadway productions before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s. He often played tough guys and gangsters in films such as "Little Caesar" (1931), "Angels with Dirty Faces" (1938), and "Key Largo" (1948). In addition to his work in film, he also had appearances on television shows such as "The Lone Ranger" and "The Cisco Kid". Robinson passed away in 1950 at the age of 52 due to a heart attack.
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Lou Clayton
Lou Clayton (March 12, 1890 Brooklyn-September 12, 1950 Santa Monica) also known as Clayton, Lew Clayton or Louis Finkelstein was an American actor.
He began his career in vaudeville and later transitioned to film, appearing in over 200 movies, mostly Westerns. Clayton's notable film credits include "The Lone Rider and the Bandit" (1942), "Dawn on the Great Divide" (1942), and "The Silver Bullet" (1942). He was also a prolific radio actor, working on shows such as "The Lone Ranger" and "The Cisco Kid." Outside of acting, Clayton was an accomplished musician, playing the violin and saxophone. He passed away in 1950 at the age of 60.
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Monty Banks
Monty Banks (July 18, 1897 Cesena-January 7, 1950 Arona) also known as Mario Bianchi, William Montague, Montague Banks or Montague (Monty) Banks was an American film director, actor and comedian.
Banks was known for his work in silent films during the 1920s and later in sound films during the 1930s. He was born in Italy but moved to the United States as a young child. Banks initially worked as a stuntman in Hollywood before transitioning to acting and comedy. He appeared in over 40 films during his career and directed over 20. Banks was famous for his physical comedy and acrobatic stunts, often performing dangerous stunts himself. Despite his success in the film industry, Banks struggled with alcoholism and personal demons which led to his declining popularity in the 1940s. He tragically died from a heart attack at the age of 52. Despite his personal struggles, Banks is remembered as a talented and influential figure in Hollywood's early days.
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Joe Burke
Joe Burke (March 18, 1884 Philadelphia-June 9, 1950 Upper Darby) a.k.a. Joseph Burke, Joe Burke or Joseph A. Burke was an American actor, composer, pianist and film score composer.
He began his career in the early 1900s as a piano player in vaudeville shows, and eventually became a prolific songwriter, composing music for many Broadway shows in the 1920s and 1930s. He also wrote the music for numerous films, including the popular 1935 musical "Top Hat," which starred Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. In addition to his work as a composer, Burke also appeared in over 100 films as an actor, often playing the role of a pianist or musician. Despite his success, he struggled with alcoholism and died of a heart attack in 1950 at the age of 66.
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Dink Trout
Dink Trout (June 18, 1898 Beardstown-March 26, 1950 Burbank) otherwise known as Francis Trout was an American voice actor, actor and radio personality.
Trout began his career in entertainment in the 1920s as a vaudeville performer and then moved on to work in radio. He eventually became a popular radio personality, hosting his own shows including "Hollywood Hotel," "The Dink Trout Show," and "It Can Be Done."
In addition to his radio work, Trout also appeared in over 120 films, mostly in small or supporting roles, including "The Grapes of Wrath" and "The Maltese Falcon." He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous animated characters in Disney films such as "Dumbo" and "Bambi."
Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Trout's personal life was plagued by alcoholism and financial troubles. He passed away in 1950 at the age of 51 from a heart attack.
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Joe Yule
Joe Yule (April 30, 1892 Polmadie-March 30, 1950 Hollywood) also known as Ninnian Joseph Ewell, Ninnian Joseph Yule, Joseph Yule, Joseph Ninian Yule, Joe Sr., Joe Yule Sr., Ninian Joseph Ewell or Joseph "Joe" Yule was an American actor, comedian, vaudeville performer, soldier and character actor. His child is called Mickey Rooney.
Joe Yule began his career in show business by performing in vaudeville shows. He later transitioned to acting in silent films before making the transition to the "talkies" in the 1930s. Yule appeared in many films throughout his career, often in supporting roles. He played a variety of characters including butlers, hotel clerks, and bartenders.
Outside of his acting career, Yule served in World War I and was injured in combat. He also had a son named Mickey Rooney, who followed in his father's footsteps and became a successful actor in his own right. Yule passed away in 1950 in Hollywood at the age of 57.
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Howard Kyle
Howard Kyle (April 22, 1861 Shullsburg-December 1, 1950 New York City) a.k.a. Howard Anderson Vandergrift or Kyle Vandergrift was an American actor and educator.
He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1883 and began his career as a teacher before later pursuing acting. Kyle appeared on Broadway in the early 1900s and went on to have a successful career in film, starring in over 200 movies. He was known for his roles in silent films such as "The Girl of the Golden West" (1915) and "The Toll Gate" (1920). Later in life, Kyle became a drama instructor and was a founding member of the Drama League of New York. He also wrote several books on acting and stagecraft.
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