Kenne Duncan

Kenne Duncan (February 17, 1903 – February 5, 1972) was a Canadian-born B-movie character actor. Hyped professionally as "The Meanest Man in the Movies," the vast majority of his over 250 appearances on camera were Westerns, but he also did occasional forays into horror, crime drama, and science fiction. He also appeared in over a dozen serials.

Kenne Duncan
Born
Kenneth Duncan MacLachlan

(1903-02-17)February 17, 1903
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
DiedFebruary 5, 1972(1972-02-05) (aged 68)
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Cause of deathSuicide
Resting placeGrand View Memorial Park
Other namesKen Dincan
Kenneth Duncan
Ken Duncan
OccupationActor

Early years

Duncan was born Kenneth Duncan MacLachlan in Ontario, Canada.[1]

Before he became an actor, Duncan enjoyed riding, and for a time he worked as a jockey. His accomplishments in that field included winning the steeplechase at Blue Bonnets raceway in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[2]

Career

Duncan is best known, in some circles, for his work with Ed Wood. Duncan appeared in five Wood productions: Night of the Ghouls, Trick Shooting with Kenne Duncan, Crossroad Avenger, The Sinister Urge, and The Lawless Rider, a film Wood did with Yakima Canutt in the Director's chair. Duncan's final appearances on screen were Wood's low-budget The Sinister Urge, and a bit part in an episode of Rawhide ("Incident of the Sharpshooter").

He also made television appearances, especially westerns, such as The Cisco Kid, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, and Tombstone Territory. He had a reputation for being a womanizer with his female co-stars, according to actress Valda Hansen.

Death

On February 5, 1972, Duncan committed suicide by overdosing on barbiturates[3] at the age of 68.

Selected filmography

References
  1. Lewis, C. Jack (2002). White Horse, Black Hat: A Quarter Century on Hollywood's Poverty Row. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 125. ISBN 9780810843585.
  2. "Kenne Duncan Has Lead in Picture". The Cumberland News. Maryland, Cumberland. 4 February 1944. p. 16. Retrieved December 26, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Stewart, W. t.T (1972). "Chapter 16". Those Enduring Matinee Idols. 2 (6): 231. ISSN 0040-6422.


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