Charles Bickford was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “The Song of Bernadette,” “Johnny Belinda,” and “Of Mice and Men.”
Personal and Family Life
Charles Bickford was born on January 1, 1891, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was the fifth of seven children in his family. He married Beatrice Loring in 1916, and they had two children, Doris and Rex. Bickford had a diverse career, including a service in World War I as a lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers.
Career Highlights
Bickford spent many years in theater, touring with road companies before gaining fame on Broadway with “Outside Looking In.” He transitioned to film with prominent roles in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Despite facing challenges, including a severe lion mauling during a film shoot, he continued to work in the industry and earned three Academy Award nominations throughout his career.
Death and Legacy
Charles Bickford passed away on November 9, 1967, in Los Angeles, California, due to a blood infection. He is remembered as a robust character actor with a notable presence in classic Hollywood films. His work continues to inspire and is celebrated by film enthusiasts and historians alike.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| A Star Is Born | 1954-10-01 | Oliver Niles |
| The Unforgiven | 1960-04-06 | Zeb Rawlins |
| Duel in the Sun | 1946-12-31 | Sam Pierce |
| Days of Wine and Roses | 1963-02-04 | Ellis Arnesen |
| Gangs of New York | 1938-05-23 | Rocky Thorpe / John Franklin |
| The Big Country | 1958-09-30 | Major Henry Terrill |
| Fallen Angel | 1945-11-15 | Mark Judd |
| Tarzan’s New York Adventure | 1942-05-01 | Buck Rand |
| Brute Force | 1947-07-16 | Gallagher |
| Whirlpool | 1950-01-13 | Lt. James Colton |
| Anna Christie | 1930-02-21 | Matt Burke |
| Little Miss Marker | 1934-06-01 | Big Steve Halloway |
| Jim Thorpe – All-American | 1951-08-24 | Glenn S. ‘Pop’ Warner |
| A Big Hand for the Little Lady | 1966-06-08 | Benson Tropp |
| The Babe Ruth Story | 1948-09-16 | Brother Matthias |
| The Farmer’s Daughter | 1947-03-26 | Joseph Clancy |
| The Song of Bernadette | 1943-12-21 | Father Peyramale |
| The Plainsman | 1936-11-16 | John Lattimer |
| Johnny Belinda | 1948-09-14 | Black MacDonald |