Edward Peil Sr. was an American actor known for his roles in “Broken Blossoms,” “The Big Cage,” and “Dream Street.” He had a long career in film, starting from the silent era and becoming a notable character actor.
Personal and Family Life
Edward Peil Sr. was born on January 18, 1883, in Racine, Wisconsin. He was married to Henrietta ‘Etta’ Raynor, and they had two children, Edward Peil Jr. and Virginia Peil. A graduate of Notre Dame University, Peil often had his last name incorrectly spelled in film credits.
Career Highlights
Peil had an extensive acting career, beginning as a leading man in silent films with the Lubin company. He later became known for playing western villains and took on many supporting roles in low-budget films for Poverty Row studios like PRC and Monogram. He appeared in seven Oscar Best Picture nominees, contributing to films that were well-regarded in cinema history.
Death and Legacy
Edward Peil Sr. passed away from cardiac arrest on December 29, 1958, in Hollywood, California. His contributions to the film industry, especially as a versatile character actor in numerous genres, have left a lasting impact. He is remembered for his remarkable talent and significant body of work during the early years of Hollywood.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Broken Blossoms | 1919-05-13 | Evil Eye |
| The Girl of the Golden West | 1938-03-18 | Townsman in Sheriff’s Office |
| Gangster’s Boy | 1938-11-16 | Editor |
| Gunsmoke Ranch | 1937-05-05 | Dam Engineer Rankin |
| Blue Steel | 1934-05-10 | Malgrove |
| Slaves in Bondage | 1937-07-24 | Detective Captain |
| The Dragon Painter | 1919-09-28 | Kano Indara |
| Clearing the Range | 1931-04-01 | Sheriff Jim |
| The Galloping Ghost | 1931-09-01 | Coach of Baxter Team |
| The Hatchet Man | 1932-02-06 | Bing Foo |
| Desert Command | 1946-05-31 | Ratkin |
| The Mystery Squadron | 1933-12-21 | Andrew Martin |
| Manhattan Love Song | 1934-04-29 | Employment Agent |
| Love on a Bet | 1936-03-06 | Mr. Bligh, at Hutchinson’s Meeting |
| Destry Rides Again | 1932-04-17 | Frank Warren |
| Come on, Cowboys | 1937-05-24 | Thomas Rigby |
| The Singing Cowgirl | 1938-06-02 | Tom Harkins |
| Heroes of the Alamo | 1937-08-07 | General Sam Houston |
| King of the Sierras | 1938-12-11 | Rancher Blake |
| You Can’t Take It with You | 1938-09-01 | Neighbor Helping with Move (uncredited) |
| Reckless | 1935-04-19 | Man Raising Stage Curtain (uncredited) |
| Cock o’ the Walk | 1930-04-13 | Cafe Manager |
| $50,000 Reward | 1924-12-02 | Buck Scofield |
| Yellow Fingers | 1926-03-21 | Kwong Li |