Huntz Hall was an American actor best known for his roles in the East Side Kids and Bowery Boys films. He was born Henry Richard Hall on August 15, 1920, in New York City and gained popularity for his comedic performances, particularly as the character Horace Debussy ‘Sach’ Jones.
Personal and Family Life
Huntz Hall was the fourteenth of sixteen children born to an air conditioning repairman. He made his stage debut at just one year old and attended the Professional Children’s School in New York. Hall was married four times, including to dancer Elsie May Anderson, with whom he had one child, Gary Richard Hall. His last marriage was to Leah Hall in 1966, which lasted until his death in 1999.
Career Highlights
Hall appeared in a total of 81 films and serials as part of the East Side Kids/Bowery Boys series, a record unmatched by any other actor in these productions. His career faced challenges, including a brief arrest for marijuana possession in 1948, but he was acquitted. After serving in the Army during World War II, he returned to Hollywood, where he achieved significant success in war films and comedy.
Death and Legacy
Huntz Hall passed away on January 30, 1999, in North Hollywood, California, due to heart failure. He left behind a legacy as a beloved figure in American comedy, especially remembered for his unique characters and contribution to film history. His investments in oil and gas also provided him financial security in his later years.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Return of Doctor X | 1939-11-23 | Pinky |
| Kid Dynamite | 1943-02-05 | Glimpy McGleavey |
| Let’s Get Tough | 1942-05-29 | Glimpy |
| Mr. Wise Guy | 1942-02-20 | Glimpy Stone |
| Million Dollar Kid | 1944-02-28 | Glimpy McClosky |
| They Made Me a Criminal | 1939-01-21 | Dippy |
| Dead End | 1937-08-27 | Dippy |
| Angels with Dirty Faces | 1938-11-26 | Crab |
| Auntie Lee’s Meat Pies | 1992-10-21 | Farmer |
| Spooks Run Wild | 1941-10-24 | Glimpy |
| Bowery Blitzkrieg | 1941-08-01 | Limpy |
| Bowery to Bagdad | 1955-01-07 | Sach Jones |
| Cyclone | 1987-06-05 | Long John |
| Ghosts on the Loose | 1943-07-30 | Glimpy |
| Jinx Money | 1948-06-27 | Horace Debussy ‘Sach’ Jones |