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Irving Bacon

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Irving Bacon
Bacon in Meet John Doe (1941)
Born
Irving Ernest Bacon

(1893-09-06)September 6, 1893
Saint Joseph, Missouri, U.S.
DiedFebruary 5, 1965(1965-02-05) (aged 71)
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1912–1960
Spouses
Freda Lee Scofield
​
​
(m. 1921; died 1928)​
Margaret (Peggy) Beaver
​
​
(m. 1930; div. 1934)​
Alice Bernice Peters
​
​
(m. 1937)​
Children3

Irving Ernest Bacon [1] (September 6, 1893 – February 5, 1965) was an American character actor who appeared in almost 500 films.[2]

Early years

[edit]

Bacon was the son of entertainers Millar West Bacon (who was a teenager) and Myrtle Vane.[3] He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and grew up in San Diego, California.[4] His parents divorced in 1900. His father remarried, to Lena Ann Davis in Spokane later that year.

Career

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Bacon played on the stage for a number of years before getting into films in 1912 in Mack Sennett productions.[3] The actor returned to the Sennett studio in 1924, and appeared frequently in Sennett's silent and sound comedies as a supporting actor. By 1933, Bacon was so well established as a utility player that he was pressed into service to replace Andy Clyde—wearing Clyde's "old man" costume and makeup—in a Sennett comedy.[citation needed]

From Meet John Doe (1941), L-R: Walter Brennan, Gary Cooper, Irving Bacon, Barbara Stanwyck and James Gleason

Bacon often played comical "average guys" in scores of feature films; in 1939 alone he appeared in three dozen features. Today's audiences may know him as the soda jerk in the W. C. Fields comedy Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, the wily wagon driver in the Bing Crosby-Fred Astaire musical Holiday Inn, the angry motel guest in the Oscar-winning short Star in the Night, and Glenn Miller's father in The Glenn Miller Story. His most familiar role was as Mr. Beasley, the weary postman in Columbia Pictures' Blondie film series. During the 1950s, Bacon worked steadily in a number of television sitcoms, most notably I Love Lucy, in which he appeared in two episodes, one of which cast him as Ethel Mertz's father.[5]

Personal life

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He worked as a "Carburetor and Magneto Machinist for the San Diego Battery and Ignition Company according to his 1917 WWI draft Registration Card."[6]

Bacon was married to Freda Lee Scoville until her death in 1928; they had a son and a daughter. In June 1930, Bacon married Margaret Beaver; they had a son, Frank.[4] They were divorced in 1934. In 1937, he wed, lastly, Alice Bernice Peters. He died on February 5, 1965, aged 71, in Hollywood.[7]

Filmography

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1923 Anna Christie Minor Role Uncredited
1927 California or Bust Wade Rexton
His First Flame Man Who Jumps Out of Window Uncredited
The Girl from Everywhere The Casting Director
1928 Three Sinners Uncredited
The Head Man Mayor
The Good-Bye Kiss Col. Von Stein
1929 Tide of Empire Townsman Uncredited
Two Sisters Chumley
Side Street Henchman Slim Uncredited
The Saturday Night Kid McGonigle Uncredited
Half Way to Heaven Slim
1930 Burning Up Yokel Driver Uncredited
Street of Chance Harry
Night Work Bit Uncredited
Second Honeymoon Waiter Uncredited
1931 Scandal Sheet Reporter Kent Uncredited
Fighting Caravans Mustachioed Barfly Uncredited
It Pays to Advertise Photographer Uncredited
The Vice Squad Masher Uncredited
Big Business Girl Waiter Uncredited
Alias – the Bad Man Ranger Repeater
Bad Girl Expectant Father Uncredited
Branded Men Ramrod
Her Majesty, Love Hotel Valet Uncredited
Ladies of the Big House Juror Uncredited
1932 Union Depot Depot Hotel Waiter Uncredited
No One Man Henry - License Clerk
The Big Timer Slim Dugan Uncredited
This Is the Night Sparks
The Strange Case of Clara Deane Rural Service Station Attendant Uncredited
Week-End Marriage Grocery Clerk Uncredited
Million Dollar Legs Secretary of War Uncredited
Madame Racketeer Gus, the Desk Clerk Uncredited
The Big Broadcast Prisoner
They Call It Sin First Hotel Clerk Uncredited
I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang Bill - Barber Uncredited
If I Had a Million China Shop Salesman Uncredited
Central Park Oscar Uncredited
Lawyer Man Court Guard Uncredited
The Match King Messenger with Bracelet Uncredited
1933 File 113 Lagors
Hello, Everybody! Radio Announcer Uncredited
He Learned About Women Stage Door Man
Sing, Bing, Sing Helen's father Short
The Keyhole Grover - Brooks' Chauffeur Uncredited
The Mind Reader Reporter Uncredited
Central Airport Amarillo Weatherman Uncredited
Song of the Eagle Assistant Burgher / Photographer Uncredited
Lilly Turner Earle Yokum Uncredited
Trouble Busters Deputy Uncredited
Private Detective 62 Cab Driver
I Love That Man Prison Doctor Uncredited
Laughing at Life Construction Engineer Surveyor Uncredited
Double Harness Crab Counterman Uncredited
Lady for a Day Pool Hall Dupe Uncredited
Golden Harvest Rev. Dr. Simmons Uncredited
Ann Vickers Waiter Uncredited
The Bowery Hick Uncredited
Tillie and Gus Nosy Man at Gambling Table Uncredited
Big Executive Storekeeper Uncredited
Female Gas Station Attendant Uncredited
Sitting Pretty Dice Player Uncredited
Lone Cowboy Zeke Uncredited
Shadows of Sing Sing Highbrow
1934 Eight Girls in a Boat Messenger Uncredited
Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen Joel Prentiss
Massacre Secretary Uncredited
Six of a Kind Hotel Desk Clerk in Philipsburg Uncredited
It Happened One Night Gas Station Attendant Uncredited
George White's Scandals Hick Uncredited
House of Mystery Police Insp. Ned Pickens
Honor of the Range Townsman Uncredited
Merry Wives of Reno Cook (scenes deleted)
Now I'll Tell Gambling House Attendant Uncredited
Money Means Nothing Navy Secretary (scenes deleted)
The Hell Cat Regan
Hat, Coat, and Glove Coat Salesman Uncredited
Friends of Mr. Sweeney Hat Attendant Uncredited
You Belong to Me Stage Manager
The Pursuit of Happiness Bijah
No Ransom Heinie
By Your Leave Harry Uncredited
The President Vanishes Gray Shirt Garage Attendant Uncredited
Ready for Love Milkman Uncredited
Broadway Bill Hamburger Stand Owner Uncredited
Babbitt Harry - Bartender Uncredited
Little Men Silas Uncredited
The Gay Bride Weight-Guesser Uncredited
West of the Pecos Court
1935 Romance in Manhattan Counterman Uncredited
Murder on a Honeymoon Man With Pelican Uncredited
Private Worlds McLean (male nurse)
I'll Love You Always Theater Manager Uncredited
It's a Small World Cal
Goin' to Town Cowboy Uncredited
Mary Jane's Pa Clerk Getting Tied Up Uncredited
The Glass Key Waiter Uncredited
Men Without Names Town Character Uncredited
Manhattan Moon Lunch Man
The Murder Man Merry-Go-Round Operator Uncredited
Bright Lights Postal Worker Uncredited
The Farmer Takes a Wife Mr. Vernoy Uncredited
Welcome Home Cornelius Uncredited
Page Miss Glory Waiter Uncredited
The Affair of Susan Cabby Uncredited
Diamond Jim Passenger Uncredited
Redheads on Parade Entwhistle Uncredited
Wanderer of the Wasteland Bartender #1
Here Comes Cookie Thompson
The Virginia Judge Gus Skinner
Powdersmoke Range Gun Store Proprietor
It's a Great Life Slim Uncredited
Two-Fisted Brick Briggs
She Couldn't Take It Man at Toll Gate Uncredited
Bad Boy Butcher Uncredited
Ship Cafe Slim
Millions in the Air Mr. Perkins
Man of Iron Jake - a Factory Worker Uncredited
Hitch Hike Lady Ed Simpson
1936 Timothy's Quest Henry - the Drunken Wagon Driver Uncredited
Drift Fence Windy Watkins, Traft Foreman
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine Mailman
The Music Goes 'Round Stuttering Man Uncredited
Love on a Bet Farmer on Hay Wagon Uncredited
Petticoat Fever Carl
The Singing Kid Maine Driver Uncredited
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Frank Uncredited
Forgotten Faces Pretty
Nobody's Fool Chauffeur Uncredited
Three Cheers for Love Rider - Dance Director
San Francisco Picnicker Uncredited
Rhythm on the Range Rodeo Announcer Uncredited
The Bride Walks Out Hugh's Chauffeur Uncredited
Earthworm Tractors Taxicab Driver
A Son Comes Home Hamburger Stand Proprietor Uncredited
To Mary – with Love Chauffeur
Pepper Fireworks Salesman Uncredited
China Clipper Charlie - the Janitor Uncredited
Hollywood Boulevard Gus - Trocadero Bartender
The Texas Rangers David's Father Uncredited
Lady Be Careful Happy
Wives Never Know Dr. Mumford Uncredited
Murder with Pictures Keough
Valiant Is the Word for Carrie Drug Store Clerk
The Big Broadcast of 1937 Property Man
Hopalong Cassidy Returns Peg Leg Holden
The Plainsman Hysterical Trooper Uncredited
Arizona Mahoney Smokey
Let's Make a Million Jerry
1937 Dangerous Number Detective Uncredited
Internes Can't Take Money Jeff
A Star Is Born Station Agent Uncredited
They Gave Him a Gun Tall Soldier Uncredited
There Goes My Girl Policeman Guarding Front Entrance Uncredited
Angel's Holiday Fingerprint Expert Uncredited
The Jones Family in Big Business Mr. Kinney - Man with Toothache Uncredited
Sing and Be Happy Palmer Uncredited
Marry the Girl Happy Elmer
Topper Hotel Clerk Uncredited
Exclusive Dr. Boomgarten
Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938 Curson - Accountant Uncredited
Big City Jim Sloane
It's Love I'm After Elevator Operator Uncredited
Merry-Go-Round of 1938 Organist Uncredited
Big Town Girl Gas Station Attendant
Every Day's a Holiday Quartet member
True Confession The Coroner
1938 City Girl Porter Uncredited
Midnight Intruder Evans - The Reitter Chauffeur
The Big Broadcast of 1938 Prisoner Playing Harmonica Uncredited
The First Hundred Years Wilkins
Mr. Moto's Gamble Sheriff Tuttle Uncredited
Tip-Off Girls Sam
College Swing Minor Role (scenes deleted)
Kentucky Moonshine Palace Hotel Clerk
Professor Beware Painter Uncredited
Tropic Holiday Sol Grunnion Uncredited
Passport Husband Counterman Uncredited
Racket Busters Counter Man Uncredited
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse Foreman of jury
The Chaser Harvey, Streetcar Conductor
Letter of Introduction Reporter Uncredited
The Texans Pvt. Collins Uncredited
Sing You Sinners Lecturer on Seals
Give Me a Sailor The Druggist Uncredited
Spawn of the North Cannery Official Uncredited
You Can't Take It with You Henry - the Head Waiter Uncredited
The Mad Miss Manton Mr. Spengler - the Process Server Uncredited
There Goes My Heart Mr. Dobbs
The Sisters Robert Forbes
Exposed Crankpool (process server #2)
Hard to Get Gas Station Attendant Uncredited
The Cowboy and the Lady Chester - Smith's Secretary Uncredited
Strange Facees Meggs Uncredited
Blondie Mr. Beazley - the Mailman Uncredited
Up the River Phil Uncredited
Sweethearts Assistant Director Uncredited
1939 They Made Me a Criminal Speed - Gas Station Attendant Uncredited
The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt Patrol Sergeant at Italian Restaurant Uncredited
Boy Slaves Store Clerk Uncredited
Made for Each Other Newark Radio Operator Uncredited
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Tad Uncredited
The Arizona Wildcat
You Can't Cheat an Honest Man Jailer Uncredited
Nancy Drew... Reporter Tracy Uncredited
Tail Spin Storekeeper Uncredited
The Oklahoma Kid Hotel Clerk
Blondie Meets the Boss 1st Mailman Uncredited
The Spirit of Culver Clerk Uncredited
Inside Story Gas Station Attendant Uncredited
The Lady's from Kentucky Information Clerk Uncredited
Big Town Czar Real Estate Man Uncredited
Lucky Night Conductor
Torchy Runs for Mayor Hubert Ward
The Gracie Allen Murder Case Hotel Clerk
Bachelor Mother Clerk at Exchange Window Uncredited
Second Fiddle Harvey Vaughan
News Is Made at Night Mike - Fingerprint Man Uncredited
Indianapolis Speedway Fred Haskill
Blondie Takes a Vacation Mailman
Behind Prison Gates Convict in Prison Yard Uncredited
I Stole a Million Simpson
Rio 'Mushy'
On Your Toes Second Stage Manager Uncredited
Hollywood Cavalcade Clerk
Pack Up Your Troubles Doughboy Uncredited
At the Circus Telegraph Clerk Uncredited
The Housekeeper's Daughter Woodbury Uncredited
Heaven with a Barbed Wire Fence Sheriff Clem Diggers
Blondie Brings Up Baby Mailman
Too Busy to Work Gilligan
Gone With the Wind Corporal
Hollywood Slaves
1940 The Man Who Wouldn't Talk Paul Gillis
His Girl Friday Gus Uncredited
Brother Rat and a Baby Hospital Official Uncredited
The Grapes of Wrath Driver
Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet Becker
Broadway Melody of 1940 Soda Jerk Uncredited
Blondie on a Budget Mailman
Star Dust Jefferson Hotel Desk Clerk
The Doctor Takes a Wife Sam Appleby - Gas Station Attendant Uncredited
Edison, the Man Sheriff Uncredited
Lillian Russell Soldier
On Their Own
You Can't Fool Your Wife Lippincott, GBG & P Clerk
Love, Honor and Oh-Baby! Cab Driver
Sailor's Lady Storekeeper Uncredited
Manhattan Heartbeat Sweeney
Blondie Has Servant Trouble Mailman
Gold Rush Maisie Harry Gilpin
The Return of Frank James Bystander
Young People Otis
The Howards of Virginia Tom Norton
Dreaming Out Loud Wes Stillman
Blondie Plays Cupid Mailman
She Couldn't Say No Abner
Flight Command Taxi Driver (scenes deleted)
Michael Shayne, Private Detective Fisherman
Jennie Real Estate Broker
1941 Four Mothers Cigar Store Proprietor Uncredited
The Wild Man of Borneo Wagon Driver Uncredited
Western Union Barber
Back Street Skeet Uncredited
Tobacco Road Teller
Blondie Goes Latin Mailman Uncredited
Murder Among Friends Service Station Attendant Uncredited
A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob Mr. Albert Merney
The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance Projectionist Uncredited
Meet John Doe Beany
Barnacle Bill Deck hand Uncredited
Ride on Vaquero Jailer Smoky
Too Many Blondes Radio Station Manager Twitchell
Million Dollar Baby Income Tax Man Uncredited
Blondie in Society Mailman
Caught in the Draft Cogswell
Accent on Love Mr. Smedley
Our Wife Doorman Uncredited
It Started with Eve Raven
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break The Soda Jerk
Great Guns Postman
Henry Aldrich for President Mr. McCloskey
Moon Over Her Shoulder Conrad - Taxi Driver
They Died with Their Boots On Uniform Salesman Uncredited
Look Who's Laughing (scenes deleted)
Skylark Ferryman (scenes deleted)
Cadet Girl Train conductor
Remember the Day Cecil
1942 Freckles Comes Home Constable Caleb Weaver
Young America Bart Munson
The Bashful Bachelor Sheriff / Fire Chief
Blondie's Blessed Event Mr. Crumb
The Great Man's Lady Parson Uncredited
The Spoilers Hotel Manager Uncredited
Sweetheart of the Fleet Standish
Lady in a Jam Motel Proprietor Uncredited
Thru Different Eyes Stu Johnson
Holiday Inn Gus
Footlight Serenade Stagehand
Blondie for Victory Mr. Crumb, Former Mailman
Pardon My Sarong Gas Station Proprietor Uncredited
Give Out, Sisters Dr. Howard
Between Us Girls Soda Clerk
Get Hep to Love Mr. Hardwicke
Daring Young Man Crumb Uncredited
Star Spangled Rhythm New England Farmer - 'Old Glory' Number Uncredited
1943 Happy Go Lucky First Reporter Uncredited
Shadow of a Doubt Station Master
The Amazing Mrs. Holliday Ticket Agent Uncredited
Two Weeks to Live Omar Tennyson Gimpel
Dixie Dugan Mr. Kelly
King of the Cowboys Alf Cluckus
A Stranger in Town Orrin Todds
Follow the Band Peterson
Action in the North Atlantic Bartender Uncredited
The Desperadoes Dan Walters
It's a Great Life Mailman
Mister Big Jimmy, Malt Shop Proprietor
Hers to Hold Dr. Bacon
This Is the Army Waiter Uncredited
The Good Fellows 'Gas' Man Uncredited
So's Your Uncle Dempster
Top Man School Principal Uncredited
Footlight Glamour Mr. Crum
My Kingdom for a Cook Sheriff Uncredited
Girl Crazy John Uncredited
In Old Oklahoma Ben Alternative title: War of the Wildcats
Gung Ho! Harry the Hamburger Man Uncredited
A Guy Named Joe Cpl. Henderson Uncredited
What a Woman! Newsman Alternative title: The Beautiful Cheat
1944 Chip Off the Old Block Prof. Frost
Week-End Pass Sheriff Todd
Knickerbocker Holiday Peter Van Stoon Uncredited
Her Primitive Man Track Man
Pin Up Girl Janitor at Navy Dept. Uncredited
The Story of Dr. Wassell Missionary Uncredited
Song of the Open Road Man Saying 'Let's Go Pick Oranges' Uncredited
Since You Went Away Bartender at Cocktail Lounge Uncredited
Wing and a Prayer Sailor Projectionist Uncredited
Casanova Brown Hotel Manager
Heavenly Days Tower, the Butler
The Thin Man Goes Home Tom
Can't Help Singing Bath House Barber Uncredited
1945 Under Western Skies Sheriff James Whitcolm Wyatt
Roughly Speaking Customer in Music Shop Uncredited
Patrick the Great Mr. Merney
Out of This World Irving Krunk
Hitchhike to Happiness Dennis Colby
Guest Wife Nosey Stationmaster
Week-End at the Waldorf Sam Skelly
Spellbound Railway Gateman Uncredited
1946 One Way to Love Train Conductor
Night Train to Memphis Rainbow
Wake Up and Dream Toll Gate Attendant
1947 My Brother Talks to Horses Mr. Piper
Monsieur Verdoux Pierre Couvais
Saddle Pals Thaddeus Bellwether
Dear Ruth Delivery Man
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer Melvin Alternative title: Bachelor Knight (UK)
High Wall Gas Station Owner Uncredited
1948 Rocky Bert Hillman
Albuquerque Dave Walton
Adventures in Silverado Jake Willis
State of the Union Buck Swanson
The Velvet Touch Albert
Good Sam Tramp
Moonrise Judd Jenkins
Family Honeymoon Mr. Webb
Words and Music Hollywood Realtor Uncredited
Whispering Smith Telegrapher Uncredited
California's Golden Beginning Short
1949 Dynamite Jake
John Loves Mary George Beachwood Uncredited
The Green Promise Mr Larkins
El Paso Stage Passenger Uncredited
The Big Cat Matt Cooper - Mailman
Manhandled Sgt. Fayle
Night Unto Night Real Estate Agent (scenes deleted)
It's a Great Feeling RR Information Clerk
The House Across the Street Jury Foreman Uncredited
Dear Wife Mike Man
Sons of New Mexico Chris Dobbs
1950 Woman in Hiding "Pops" Link
Wabash Avenue Harlan Uncredited
Riding High Hamburger Man
The Happy Years Mr. Conover Uncredited
Never a Dull Moment Tunk Johnson Uncredited
Born to Be Bad Jewelry Salesman
Emergency Wedding Filbert - Mechanic
Mr. Music Benson, Jewelry Clerk Uncredited
1951 Cause for Alarm! Joe Carston
Katie Did It Conductor
Here Comes the Groom Baines, Butler
Honeychile Abner
Desert of Lost Men Sheriff Skeeter Davis
1952 Room for One More Mayor Michael J. Kane
Rose of Cimarron Sheriff
O. Henry's Full House Ebenezer Dorset (segment "The Ransom of Red Chief"), Uncredited
1953 Kansas Pacific Casey
Fort Ti Sgt. Monday Wash
Sweethearts on Parade Sheriff Doolittle
Devil's Canyon Old Guard
1954 The Glenn Miller Story Mr. Miller
Duffy of San Quentin Doc Sorin
Ma and Pa Kettle at Home John Maddocks
Black Horse Canyon Doc
A Star Is Born Graves
1955 Run for Cover Scotty
1955 At Gunpoint Al Ferguson
1955 Hidden Guns Doc Carter
1956 Dakota Incident Tully Morgan
1958 Ambush at Cimarron Pass Judge Stanfield
1958 Fort Massacre Charlie
1958 Fort Apache
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1951 The Bigelow Theatre 1 episode
1952 I Love Lucy Mr. Willoughby 1 episode
1953 The Ford Television Theatre 1 episode
1954 Four Star Playhouse Hamilton Carter 1 episode
1954–1955 My Little Margie Mr. Townsend - Roberta's father 2 episodes
1955 The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show Charlie Irwin, Sr. 1 episode
Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre Dad 1 episode
I Love Lucy Will Potter (Ethel's Father) 1 Episode
1956 Cavalcade of America Patton 1 episode
1956–1957 December Bride Andyi 2 episodes
1957 The Gale Storm Show Crackers 1 episode
1958 The Real McCoys Howard Anderson 1 episode
The Donna Reed Show Mayor Webster 1 episode
1960 Laramie Tooey 1 episode

References

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  1. ^ Gordon, Dr. Roger L. (2018). Supporting Actors in Motion Pictures. Dorrance Publishing. p. 44. ISBN 9781480944992. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  2. ^ "Irving Bacon profile". Explore.bfi.org.uk. February 5, 1965. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Kellogg, Byrd Weyler (August 23, 1942). "Second Generation in Movie Cast Here". The Press Democrat. California, Santa Rosa. p. 14. Retrieved February 2, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b Walker, Brent E. (2013). Mack Sennett's Fun Factory: A History and Filmography of His Studio and His Keystone and Mack Sennett Comedies, with Biographies of Players and Personnel. McFarland. p. 486. ISBN 9780786477111. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  5. ^ "Irving Bacon biography/filmography". Matinee Classics. February 5, 1965. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
    - "I Love Lucy: The Marriage License". Lucyfan.com. Lucyfan Enterprises. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
    - "Irving Bacon". Classic Images. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  6. ^ Biography, uncommoncharacter.com. Accessed June 14, 2024.
  7. ^ Gordon, Roger L. (January 23, 2018). Supporting Actors in Motion Pictures. ISBN 9781480944992.
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