American movie stars died in 1954
Here are 26 famous actors from United States of America died in 1954:
Lionel Barrymore
Lionel Barrymore (April 28, 1878 Philadelphia-November 15, 1954 Van Nuys) also known as Lionel Herbert Blythe or Lionel Blythe was an American actor, film director, graphic artist, screenwriter, author, film producer and film score composer. He had two children, Ethel Barrymore and Mary Barrymore.
Lionel Barrymore was a member of the legendary Barrymore family, which included his siblings Ethel and John. He began his acting career on the stage, but eventually transitioned to silent films in the early 1900s. He was best known for his character roles in movies like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Key Largo," for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In addition to his acting career, Barrymore also wrote several books on art and worked as a respected graphic artist. Despite suffering from arthritis later in life, he continued to act and direct until his death in 1954.
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Robert D. Walker
Robert D. Walker (June 18, 1888 Bethlehem-March 4, 1954 Los Angeles) also known as Robert Walker, Bob Walker or Robert Donald Walker was an American actor.
He began his career on Broadway before transitioning to film. Walker appeared in numerous films throughout the 1940s, including memorable roles in "Strangers on a Train" and "Since You Went Away." He was known for his boy-next-door charm and versatility as an actor. However, his personal life was tumultuous, including a turbulent marriage to actress Jennifer Jones. Walker tragically died at the young age of 36 from a combination of alcohol and prescription drugs. Despite his short life, his talent and contribution to the film industry continue to be celebrated.
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Bert Lytell
Bert Lytell (February 24, 1885 New York City-September 28, 1954 New York City) also known as Bertram Lytell was an American actor.
He starred in over 100 films during the silent and early sound era. Lytell began his career on Broadway before transitioning to film in the early 1910s. He was known for playing the roles of charming and suave leading men in films such as "The Lone Wolf" series, "Alias Jimmy Valentine," and "The World's Great Snare." Lytell was also a founding member and president of the Screen Actors Guild, which he helped form in 1933. He retired from acting in the 1940s and became a successful businessman in the oil industry.
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Tom Tyler
Tom Tyler (August 9, 1903 Port Henry-May 3, 1954 Hamtramck) also known as Tyler Belcher or Vincent Markowski was an American actor, weightlifter, sailor and miner.
Tyler started his career as a film actor in the 1920s, and gained popularity as a leading man in the Western genre during the 1930s. He appeared in several renowned films during his career such as "The Phantom", "The Adventures of Captain Marvel" and "Stagecoach". Apart from his acting career, Tyler was also a licensed sailor and had a passion for sailing boats. Additionally, he was a skilled weightlifter, and he had won several weightlifting competitions. During World War II, Tyler worked as a miner, contributing to the war effort. Tyler died in 1954 at the age of 50, due to heart disease.
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Eugene Pallette
Eugene Pallette (July 8, 1889 Winfield-September 3, 1954 Los Angeles) also known as Gene Pallette or Eugene William Pallette was an American actor.
He appeared in over 200 films from 1913 to 1946, often playing the role of a blustery and comically gruff character. Pallette was also a talented singer and had a successful stage career before transitioning to film. He worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, and Lionel Barrymore. Pallette was known for his distinctive voice, which earned him the nickname "Thunder." In addition to his acting career, he was a collector of antiques and art and had a substantial collection of rare and valuable pieces.
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Moroni Olsen
Moroni Olsen (June 27, 1889 Ogden-November 22, 1954 Los Angeles) otherwise known as Maroni Olsen, Moroni Olson, John Willard, John Willard Clawson or John Willard Clawson, Jr was an American actor and theatre director.
Olsen began his professional career as a stage actor and director on Broadway, where he worked for several years before transitioning to Hollywood films in the 1930s. He appeared in over 60 films and television shows throughout his career, including roles in classics such as "Gone with the Wind" and "It's a Wonderful Life." Additionally, he voiced characters in several Walt Disney animated films, such as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Pinocchio." Olsen was also a prominent member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and played a significant role in the development of Mormon theatre in the early 20th century. He directed and acted in several productions of Mormon-themed plays, including "Home Waters" and "One Fold and One Shepherd." His contributions to the theatre community were honored posthumously with induction into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1978.
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Irving Pichel
Irving Pichel (June 24, 1891 Pittsburgh-July 13, 1954 Hollywood) was an American film director and actor. He had three children, Pichel Wilson, Marlowe Agnew and Julian Irving.
Pichel began his career as a stage actor, before transitioning to film in the 1920s. He appeared in over 100 films, often playing character roles or villains. Some of his notable acting appearances include "Dracula's Daughter" (1936), "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1938), and "The Great Dictator" (1940).
As a director, Pichel is perhaps best known for his work on the 1940 film "The Devil and Daniel Webster", which was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. He also directed "Shepherd of the Ozarks" (1942), "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid" (1948), and "Destination Moon" (1950), which won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
In addition to his film work, Pichel was also an accomplished stage director, and directed productions on Broadway in the 1920s and 1930s.
Pichel died of a heart attack in 1954 at the age of 63.
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Edward Coxen
Edward Coxen (August 8, 1880 Southwark-November 21, 1954 Hollywood) also known as Edwin Coxen, Eddie Coxen, Ed Coxin, Ed Coxon, Ed Coxen, Albert Edward Coxen, Bertie, Edward, Eddie, young Bertie or Edward Albert Coxen was an American actor.
He began his career on the stage in England before moving to the United States in 1915. Coxen appeared in over 370 films throughout his career, often playing supporting or minor roles. He was known for his versatility as an actor, performing in comedies, dramas, and westerns. Some of his most famous roles include appearances in "Gone with the Wind" (1939), "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), and "To Have and Have Not" (1944). Coxen continued acting until his death in 1954 at the age of 74.
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Edward Clark
Edward Clark (May 6, 1878 Russia-November 18, 1954 Hollywood) otherwise known as E. Clark or Ed Clark was an American actor, screenwriter and songwriter.
Clark was born in Russia but his family soon immigrated to the United States where he was raised. He began his career in the entertainment industry in the early 1910s as a vaudeville performer before transitioning to film. Clark appeared in over 200 films in his career, often playing comedic and character roles. In addition to acting, he also wrote several screenplays and composed songs for films. One of his best-known compositions was the tune "Smiles," which became a popular jazz standard. He continued working in the entertainment industry until his death in 1954 in Hollywood, California.
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Arthur Thalasso
Arthur Thalasso (November 26, 1883 Cincinnati-February 13, 1954 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Art Thalasso or Arthur Thallassoff Schultz was an American actor.
He began his career in vaudeville and made his film debut in 1912. Thalasso appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, often playing supporting roles or bit parts. Some of his notable films include "Gone with the Wind" (1939), "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), and "Casablanca" (1942).
In addition to his acting work, Thalasso was also a skilled pianist and composer. He wrote dozens of songs throughout his life, including the popular tune "Pagan Love Song".
Thalasso was married twice and had two children. He passed away in 1954 at the age of 70.
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Chester M. Franklin
Chester M. Franklin (September 1, 1889 San Francisco-March 12, 1954 Los Angeles) also known as Chester Franklin, C.M. Franklin or Chester Mortimer Franklin was an American actor, film director and screenwriter.
He was born into a family with a background in theater, and began his career in the entertainment industry as a child actor in vaudeville productions. He later transitioned to film acting, mostly playing romantic leads in silent films in the 1910s. In the 1920s, he started directing and eventually became a prolific director at several studios including MGM, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures, directing over 100 films in his career. Some of his most notable works include "The Kid Brother" (1927), starring Harold Lloyd, and "The Crusades" (1935), starring Loretta Young and Henry Wilcoxon. In addition to his work as a director, he also contributed to the screenplays of many of his films. He retired from filmmaking in the mid-1940s and passed away in 1954 at the age of 64.
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Ernest Whitman
Ernest Whitman (February 21, 1893 Fort Smith-August 5, 1954 Hollywood) was an American actor.
Whitman appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, mostly in small and uncredited roles. He began his career as a stage actor and later transitioned to film. Some of his notable films include "Gone with the Wind," "The Adventures of Robin Hood," and "The Maltese Falcon." In addition to his acting career, Whitman also served in World War I and was a member of the American Legion. He passed away in 1954 at the age of 61.
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Al Hill
Al Hill (July 14, 1892 New York City-July 14, 1954 Los Angeles) also known as Al M. Hill was an American actor. He had two children, Al Hill Jr. and Arline Patricia.
Hill began his acting career in the 1920s and appeared in over 200 films throughout his career. He was known for his versatile acting ability, playing a range of characters from tough guys to comedic roles. Some of his most notable roles include "Scarface" (1932), "The Outlaw" (1943), and "Casablanca" (1942), in which he played a member of Rick's Café Américain's staff.
In addition to his career in film, Hill also worked in radio, performing on the popular program "The March of Time." He also served as president of the Screen Actors Guild in the early 1940s.
Hill passed away on his 62nd birthday in Los Angeles, California.
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Maurice Cass
Maurice Cass (October 12, 1884 Vilnius-June 8, 1954 Hollywood) was an American actor.
He was born Moisey Yakovlevich Finkelstein in Vilnius, Lithuania, then part of the Russian Empire. In 1900, he immigrated to the United States and settled in New York City. Cass began his acting career in the Yiddish theater, and later transitioned to Broadway and Hollywood films. He is best known for his role in the film “The Unholy Three” (1925) and his appearances in several Laurel and Hardy films. Cass also had a successful stage career and appeared in productions of Shakespeare's plays. He was married to actress Lillian Roth from 1920 to 1923.
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John Merkyl
John Merkyl (June 2, 1885 Iowa-May 1, 1954 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Wilmuth John Merkyll, Wilmuth Merkyl or W. Merkyl was an American actor.
He started his acting career in the early days of silent films and appeared in more than 200 movies throughout his career, often playing small roles or uncredited parts. Merkyl was known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide variety of characters, from comedic roles to sinister villains. He worked with some of Hollywood's biggest stars and directors, including Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and Alfred Hitchcock. Merkyl also dabbled in screenwriting and wrote the screenplay for the 1931 film "A Holy Terror". Despite his prolific career, Merkyl never achieved major stardom and remained a character actor throughout his life.
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Laurence Trimble
Laurence Trimble (February 15, 1885 Robbinston-February 8, 1954 Woodland Hills) also known as Larry Trimble, Lawrence Trimble or Larry was an American screenwriter, film director, actor and film producer. He had one child, Jan Trimble.
Trimble started his career in the film industry as a writer and actor during the early 1910s. He worked for a number of studios, including Lubin Manufacturing Company and Edison Studios. In 1917, he began working for Goldwyn Pictures, and he is credited with discovering the canine actor Rin Tin Tin. Trimble's work with Rin Tin Tin led to a series of successful films such as "Where the North Begins" (1923) and "Clash of the Wolves" (1925).
He later went on to work for Warner Bros. and MGM studios. Trimble directed a number of successful films, including "The Lord Loves a Duck" (1955) and "The Big Show" (1926). He also wrote screenplays for several notable films, such as "The Lone Wolf Returns" (1935) and "The Secret of Dr. Kildare" (1939).
Trimble was known for his love of animals and often incorporated them into his films. He even wrote and directed a film about a horse, titled "Red Wagon" (1933). Trimble passed away in 1954 at the age of 68. His legacy in the film industry endures through his numerous contributions to the art of filmmaking.
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Jack Harvey
Jack Harvey (September 16, 1881 Cleveland-November 9, 1954 Los Angeles) also known as John Harvey, John J. Harvey or John Joseph Harvey was an American actor, film director, screenwriter and writer.
Jack Harvey first started his career in the entertainment industry as a vaudeville performer before transitioning to films in 1911. He acted in over 200 films throughout his career, often playing supporting roles. In addition to his work in front of the camera, Harvey also directed and wrote screenplays for several silent films.
In the 1920s, Harvey shifted his focus to writing novels and short stories. He published several mystery novels under the pen name "John J. Harvey," and his short stories were frequently featured in magazines like Collier's and The Saturday Evening Post.
Despite his success in literature, Harvey continued to be involved in the film industry throughout the 1930s and 1940s, working as a storywriter for several major studios. He passed away at the age of 73 due to natural causes.
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Arthur Tavares
Arthur Tavares (January 10, 1884 San Francisco-May 27, 1954 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Arturo Tavares was an American actor and film editor.
He began his career as a film editor in the early 1910s, working for companies such as Keystone Studios and Universal Studios. Tavares quickly became known for his editing skills and was entrusted with editing some of the most important silent films of the era, including Charlie Chaplin's "The Kid" and F.W. Murnau's "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans".
In addition to his work as an editor, Tavares also acted in over 75 films, often playing small roles as ethnic characters due to his Portuguese heritage. He was a frequent collaborator of director Cecil B. DeMille and appeared in several of his films, including "The Ten Commandments" and "Cleopatra".
Tavares continued to work in the film industry throughout the 1940s, but his career began to decline in the 1950s due to changes in the industry and his increasing age. He passed away in Los Angeles in 1954 at the age of 70. Despite his significant contributions to the film industry, Tavares is not as well known as some of his contemporaries, but is still remembered for his skill as an editor and his contributions to early cinema.
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Gilbert Pratt
Gilbert Pratt (February 16, 1892 Providence-December 10, 1954 Los Angeles) also known as Gil Pratt, Gill Pratt, Gilbert W. Pratt, Gil Prat or Gilbert Walker Pratt was an American screenwriter, film director and actor.
Pratt began his career as a screenwriter in the 1910s, writing scripts for silent films such as "The Adventure of the Yellow Curl Papers" and "The Midnight Flyer." He later became a film director and directed several silent films in the 1920s, including "The Silent Accuser" and "The Seventh Sin."
In the 1930s, Pratt transitioned to acting and appeared in supporting roles in several Hollywood films, including "The Public Enemy" and "The Maltese Falcon." He continued to act in films and on television throughout the 1940s and early 1950s.
Pratt was also an accomplished painter and illustrator, and his artwork was exhibited in several galleries in New York and Los Angeles. He was a member of the California Watercolor Society and the National Watercolor Society.
Pratt passed away in Los Angeles in 1954 at the age of 62.
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Joe Laurie, Jr.
Joe Laurie, Jr. (November 27, 1892 New York City-April 29, 1954 New York City) also known as Laurie or Joe Laurie was an American actor and screenwriter. His child is called Joe Bryant Laurie.
Throughout his career in entertainment, Joe Laurie Jr. was known for his exceptional comedy skills. He began his career in vaudeville where he often performed with his brother, Sam, in a duo called "Laurie and Laurie." Later on, he transitioned to film and appeared in several silent films as well as written several screenplays. He is best known for his role in the 1932 film, "The Big Broadcast," where he delivered his famous line, "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!" Joe Laurie Jr. was also an accomplished author and wrote several books on the history of vaudeville.
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Reinhold Schünzel
Reinhold Schünzel (November 7, 1886 St. Pauli-November 11, 1954 Munich) also known as Reinhold Schunzel, Reinhold Schuenzel, Richard Scheer, Rheinhold Schünzel or Schünzel Reinhold was an American film director, actor, screenwriter, film producer and writer. He had one child, Marianne Stewart.
Schünzel began his career as a stage actor in Germany before transitioning to film. He started in silent films as an actor and screenwriter before moving on to directing and producing. He was known for his mastery of a wide range of genres, from comedies to dramas.
One of his most notable performances was in the 1932 film "The Blue Angel," directed by Josef von Sternberg, where he played a flamboyant stage performer named Kiepert. He also directed the 1931 film "Viktor und Viktoria," which became the inspiration for the 1982 film "Victor/Victoria" starring Julie Andrews.
During the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany, Schünzel emigrated to the United States in 1937, where he continued to work as a director and actor in Hollywood. Some of his notable works during his time in America include appearances in the 1945 film "The Hitler Gang" and the 1947 film "The Red House."
After World War II, Schünzel returned to Germany and continued his work in the film industry until his death in 1954. He is remembered as a versatile and talented filmmaker who contributed greatly to the German and American film industries.
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Gordon De Main
Gordon De Main (September 28, 1886 Washington-March 5, 1954 Los Angeles County) otherwise known as Gordon DeMain, Gordon De Maine, Floyd Wood, Gordon Demaine, G. A. Wood, Bud Wood, G. D. Wood, Gordon Wood, G.D. Wood, J.D. Wood, G.D. Woods or Gordon de Main was an American actor.
He began his acting career in the early 1910s in silent films, often playing supporting roles. De Main appeared in over 200 films throughout his career, including "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923), "The Big Trail" (1930), and "Gone with the Wind" (1939). He was also a prolific television actor, appearing on shows such as "The Lone Ranger" and "Dragnet" in the 1950s. Despite his extensive and varied acting career, De Main often went uncredited for his roles. In addition to acting, he was also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and served on the guild's board of directors. De Main passed away in 1954 at the age of 67.
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Augustin Duncan
Augustin Duncan (November 27, 1873 San Francisco-November 27, 2014 New York City) was an American actor.
He began his career in theater, performing in many productions in San Francisco before moving to New York City to pursue a career in film. Duncan appeared in over 100 films, including several silent films in the early 1900s. He was known for his versatility as an actor, able to play both dramatic and comedic roles with ease. In addition to his successful acting career, Duncan was also a devoted philanthropist, and was involved in many charitable organizations. He passed away on his 141st birthday, making him one of the oldest people to have ever lived.
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Jack Lait
Jack Lait (March 13, 1883 New York City-April 1, 1954 Beverly Hills) otherwise known as Jacquin Leonard Lait was an American writer and actor.
He was best known for his work as a journalist, particularly for his crime reporting for the New York Daily Mirror. Lait started his career in journalism as a copy boy for the New York Evening Sun in 1899, and worked his way up to become a full-fledged reporter. His coverage of crime in New York City made him one of the most renowned journalists of his time, and he later wrote several books about crime, including "New York Is a Madhouse" and "Chicago Confidential."
In addition to his work as a journalist, Lait was also an actor, appearing in a few films such as "The Pay-Off" (1930) and "Arrowsmith" (1931), and he produced a number of plays on Broadway. He was also a screenwriter and producer for a handful of films.
Lait married his wife, Eleanor, in 1912 and they had one son. He passed away in 1954 in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 71.
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George McManus
George McManus (January 23, 1884 St. Louis-October 22, 1954 Santa Monica) was an American cartoonist, screenwriter and actor.
McManus is best known as the creator of the popular comic strip "Bringing Up Father," which ran from 1913 until his death in 1954. The strip followed the misadventures of an Irish-American couple named Jiggs and Maggie, and became one of the most widely syndicated comic strips of its time. In addition to his work on "Bringing Up Father," McManus also wrote and illustrated for several other newspapers and magazines throughout his career. He even had his own weekly radio show, "The George McManus Show," which aired in the 1930s. McManus' influence on the comic strip medium is still felt today, and he is viewed as a pioneer in the field of newspaper cartooning.
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Carroll Gibbons
Carroll Gibbons (January 4, 1903 Clinton-May 10, 1954) also known as Carol Gibbons was an American actor.
Actually, Carroll Gibbons was not an American actor; he was an American-born musician and bandleader who became famous in the United Kingdom. He was born on January 4, 1903, in Clinton, Massachusetts, but his family moved to Canada when he was a child. Gibbons began playing piano professionally in the United States in the 1920s and eventually moved to England in 1924. There, he became a popular bandleader and was the director of the Savoy Hotel's famous dance band, the Savoy Orpheans, from 1926 to 1940. Gibbons became known for his smooth style and sophisticated arrangements, and his music was a huge hit with the British public. During World War II, he served as a captain in the British Army and entertained the troops with his music. After the war, he continued to perform and record, and he also appeared in several films. He passed away on May 10, 1954, at the age of 51.
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