Person
Russell Simpson
Danville, California, USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Russell McCaskill Simpson (June 17, 1880, Danville, California – December 12, 1959, Woodland Hills, California) was an American character ac…
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Russell McCaskill Simpson (June 17, 1880, Danville, California – December 12, 1959, Woodland Hills, California) was an American character actor who appeared in over 500 movies. He is best known for his "grizzled old man" appearances. Gaunt, lanky, and rustic-sounding, Simpson was a familiar character actor for almost forty-five years, particularly as a member of the John Ford Stock Company. At age 18 Simpson prospected for gold in Alaska. He began taking acting classes in Seattle, Washington. In 1910 he married Gertrude Alter from New York City. By 1909, he had gone into the theatre. He appeared in at least two plays on Broadway between 1909 and 1912, and made his motion picture debut in Cecil B. DeMille's 1914 original film version of The Virginian in a bit part. By 1923, when the film was remade, Simpson had progressed to playing the lead villain. Throughout his career, Simpson worked for 12 years in road shows, stock companies, and on Broadway. He didn't usually perform lead roles, but he did star in many movies throughout the silent movie era. He performed a lead role as the grandfather in Out of the Dust (1920). Simpson is best known for his work in the films of John Ford and, in particular, for his portrayal of Pa Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1940). His final film was The Horse Soldiers, his tenth film for Ford. Simpson worked up to 1959, the year of his death. He was the president of the Overseas Phonograph Accessories Corporation.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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1959
The Horse Soldiers
Movie Henry Goodbody
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1958
The Texan
TV show Zeb Waters
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1957
The Tin Star
Movie Clem Hall
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1957
Wagon Train
TV show Mr. Carr
-
1957
The Lonely Man
Movie
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1956
The Brass Legend
Movie Deputy 'Pop' Jackson
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1956
Friendly Persuasion
Movie Brother Griffith - Elder (uncredited)
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1955
Oklahoma!
Movie The Minister (uncredited)
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1955
The 20th Century Fox Hour
TV show Old Man
-
1955
Sergeant Preston of the Yukon
TV show
-
1955
The Tall Men
Movie Emigrant (uncredited)
-
1955
The Last Command
Movie The Parson
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1954
Broken Lance
Movie Judge (uncredited)
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1954
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Movie Fred Bixby
-
1954
Public Defender
TV show Lundquist
-
1953
The Sun Shines Bright
Movie Lewt Lake
More credits
-
1953
General Electric Theater
TV show
-
1953
Meet Me at the Fair
Movie Sheriff Evans
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1952
The Ghost of Crossbone Canyon
Movie Sam Stanton
-
1952
Lone Star
Movie Maynard Cole
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1952
Cavalcade of America
TV show Quatermaster
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1952
Feudin' Fools
Movie Grandpa Smith
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1952
Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair
Movie Clem Johnson
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1951
Comin' Round the Mountain
Movie Judge
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1951
The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok
TV show Sam
-
1950
Call of the Klondike
Movie Andy McKay
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1950
Saddle Tramp
Movie Pop
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1950
Wagon Master
Movie Adam Perkins
-
1950
The Outriders
Movie Farmer (uncredited)
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1949
Free For All
Movie Farmer
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1949
The Lone Ranger
TV show Jack Brewster
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1949
The Gal Who Took the West
Movie Bartender (as old Timer)
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1949
Tuna Clipper
Movie Capt. Fergus MacLennan
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1948
Joan of Arc
Movie Old Man with Pipe (uncredited)
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1948
Sundown in Santa Fe
Movie Sheriff Jim Wyatt
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1948
The Untamed Breed
Movie Minister
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1948
Tap Roots
Movie Big Sam Dabney
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1948
Coroner Creek
Movie Walt Hardison
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1948
Albuquerque
Movie Abner Huggins
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1947
Bowery Buckaroos
Movie Luke Barlow
