Francis McDonald

Francis McDonald
Francis McDonald and Shirley Mason in The Final Close-Up (1919)
Born (1891-08-22)August 22, 1891
Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S.
Died September 18, 1968(1968-09-18) (aged 77)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting place Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California
Occupation Actor
Years active 1913–1965
Spouse(s)
Mae Busch
(m. 1915; div. 1922)

Bella Roscoe (m. ?–?)
Irene Mary Schuck (m. ?–?)

Francis McDonald (August 22, 1891 – September 18, 1968) was an American actor whose career spanned 52 years.

Early years

Born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, McDonald was the son of John Francis McDonald and Catherine Ashlue McDonald. He was educated at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.[1]

Stage

McDonald's acting career began in stock theater with the Forepaugh Stock Company.[1]

Film

McDonald began his film career with Marion Leonard's Monopole Company in Hollywood.[1] He made 41 film and television appearances between 1913 and 1965, appearing in films such as The Temptress in 1926 with Greta Garbo.

After he was designated "Hollywood's Prettiest Man," McDonald sought a tougher image by shaving his mustache and seeking roles of villains.[2]

Television

McDonald made numerous television appearances, including six episodes of The Roy Rogers Show, five episodes of Lone Ranger, and four episodes each of Broken Arrow, Sugarfoot, and Perry Mason. Among his four Perry Mason roles were as Captain Noble in the 1957 episode, "The Case of the Crooked Candle," and Salty Sims in "The Case of the Petulant Partner" (1959).

McDonald is sometimes mistakenly thought to be a brother of Wallace MacDonald because of close resemblance. However, they were both born in 1891 three months apart and spelled their surnames differently.

Partial filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1916 Intolerance Extra Uncredited
1917 The Voice on the Wire Red Warren
The Gray Ghost
Black Orchids George Renoir/Ivan
1918 I Love You Jules Mardon
The Gun Woman The Gent
The Ghost Flower Tony Cafarelli
1919 Prudence on Broadway Grayson Mills
1920 Nomads of the North Bucky McDougall
1921 The Call of the North Achille Picard
1922 The Woman Conquers Lawatha, Indian Guide
1923 South Sea Love Manuel Salarno
1924 Arizona Express Victor Johnson
1925 Bobbed Hair Pooch
Satan in Sables Emile
1926 The Bar-C Mystery
Battling Butler Alfred Battling Butler
The Desert's Toll Frank Darwin
The Temptress Timoteo
1927 The Notorious Lady Manuela Silvera
The Valley of Hell Creighton Steele
The Wreck Joe
1928 A Girl in Every Port Gang Leader
The Dragnet Sniper Dawson
1929 Girl Overboard Francisco
1930 Morocco Caporal Tatoche
The Lash A caballero Uncredited
1934 Sadie McKee Joe, Alderson's Chauffeur Uncredited
Burn 'Em Up Barnes Ray Ridpath, race car henchman Chapters 1-6
1935 Mississippi Gambler Uncredited
1936 The Prisoner of Shark Island John Wilkes Booth
Robin Hood of El Dorado Pedro the Spy
Under Two Flags Husson
The Plainsman A River Gambler
1937 Ali Baba Goes to Town Ringleader Uncredited
Born Reckless Henchman Louie
1939 If I Were King Casin Cholet
1939 Idiot's Delight Flight captain Uncredited
Union Pacific General Grenville M. Dodge
The Light That Failed George
1940 North West Mounted Police Louis Riel
The Devil's Pipeline Gaddi Sang
1941 Blood and Sand Manolo's Friend Uncredited
Men of the Timberland Jean Collett
1944 Zorro's Black Whip Dan Hammond
1946 Roll on Texas Moon Steve Anders
1948 An Act of Murder Mr. Russell Alternative title: Live Today for Tomorrow
The Paleface Lance Credited as Francis J. McDonald
1949 Samson and Delilah Storyteller Credited as Francis J. McDonald
1950 California Passage Joe Kane
1956 The Ten Commandments Simon Credited as Francis J. McDonald
1959 The Big Fisherman Scribe Spokesman
1964 Robin and the 7 Hoods Old Man at Robbo's Club Uncredited
1965 The Great Race Russian Uncredited
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1953 The Ford Television Theatre Carnahan 1 episode
1954 The Lineup Warner 1 episode
1955 Adventures of Superman Great Horse 1 episode
The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin Soccoro - Apache Chief 1 episode
1955–1956 The Adventures of Champion Will Calhoun 2 episodes
1956 My Friend Flicka Thundercloud 1 episode
Lassie Clem Wyatt 1 episode
1957 Cavalcade of America Pablo aka The Calaveras Kid 1 episode
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp Jake Caster "Old Jake", with Carol Thurston in an episode based on the Sand Creek massacre
1958 Tombstone Territory Winnie Joe Westerby 1 episode
Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Jeb Coleman 1 episode
Trackdown Milo 1 episode
1959 Lawman Chief Red Horse 1 episode
Mr. Lucky Old Fisherman 1 episode
Maverick Pop Talmadge 1 episode
1960 Cheyenne Sitting Bull 1 episode
Wichita Town Medicine Chief 1 episode
Law of the Plainsman Watkins 1 episode
Shotgun Slade Bonanza Jake 1 episode
Bat Masterson Winkler 1 episode
1961 The Deputy Roy Wilkins 1 episode
The Untouchables Sully MacGuyver 1 episode
1962 Laramie Gimp 1 episode
1964 The Virginian Storekeeper 1 episode
Perry Mason Peg-Leg Jasper 1 episode

References

  1. 1 2 3 Katchmer, George A. (2002). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 245. ISBN 9780786446933. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  2. ↑ "Pretty Boy Takes Villains' Roles To Offset Type". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Hawaii, Honolulu. Associated Press. November 30, 1940. p. 32. Retrieved February 21, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
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