Irving Bacon

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

Irving Bacon
Bacon in Meet John Doe (1941)
Born
Irving Von Peters

(1893-09-06)September 6, 1893
DiedFebruary 5, 1965(1965-02-05) (aged 71)
OccupationActor
Years active1912–1960
Spouses
Freda Lee Scofield
(m. 1921; died 1928)
    Margaret (Peggy) Beaver
    (m. 1930; div. 1934)
      Bernice Peters
      (m. 1937)
      Children3

      Early years

      Bacon was the son of entertainers Millar Bacon and Myrtle Vane.[3] He was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and grew up in San Diego, California.[4]

      Career

      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.

      Irving Bacon was sometimes cast in films directed by Lloyd Bacon (incorrectly named as his brother in several sources) such as The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938). He 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

      Bacon was married to Freda Lee Scoville until her death in 1928, and they had a son and a daughter. In June 1930, Bacon married Margaret Beaver, and they had a son, Frank.;[4] the couple were divorced in 1934. Bacon finally found happiness in 1937, when he wed Bernice Peters. He died on February 5, 1965, in Hollywood.[6]

      Filmography

      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

      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. 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. 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. Gordon, Roger L. (January 23, 2018). Supporting Actors in Motion Pictures. ISBN 9781480944992.
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