Chester Clute was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Arsenic and Old Lace, Too Many Girls, and Television Spy. He played many small parts throughout his film career, often portraying meek characters.
Personal and Family Life
Chester Lamont Clute was born on February 18, 1891, in Orange, New Jersey. He was married to Eleanor Hicks until her passing on July 10, 1936. Clute was known for his small stature and distinctive bald head, which made him well-suited for character acting in various comedic roles.
Career
Clute began his acting career on Broadway in 1926 before transitioning to film. He worked at Paramount’s Kaufman Astoria Studios, where he became a prominent figure in small roles. Clute’s ability to embody meek clerks and henpecked husbands made him a recognizable face in the comedy genre during the 1930s and 1940s.
Death and Legacy
On April 2, 1956, Chester Clute passed away from a heart attack in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. His contributions to film and theater as a character actor left a lasting impact, and he is remembered for his many roles that captured the essence of everyday, relatable characters.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic and Old Lace | 1944-09-01 | Dr. Gilchrist |
| Too Many Girls | 1940-10-08 | Lister |
| Television Spy | 1939-10-20 | Harry Payne |
| Yankee Doodle Dandy | 1942-05-29 | Goff |
| Nothing But Trouble | 1944-12-06 | Employment agency clerk |
| Larceny, Inc. | 1942-04-24 | Mr. Buchanan |
| The Clock | 1945-05-25 | Michael Henry |
| To Each His Own | 1946-03-12 | Clarence Ingham |
| Just Off Broadway | 1942-08-28 | Sperty, Juror-Roommate |
| Change of Heart | 1938-01-14 | Tom Jones |