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Kenneth MacDonald

 
Actor: Kenneth MacDonald
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Actors
  • Born: 1901 in Portland, Indiana
  • Died: May 05, 1972 in Woodland Hills, California
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Active: '40s-'60s
  • Major Genres: Western, Action
  • Career Highlights: The Durango Kid, The Coast Patrol, Six Gun Gospel
  • First Major Screen Credit: Dynamite Dan (1924)

Biography

A stage actor since the 1920s, Kenneth MacDonald found the going rough in Hollywood until he published and distributed a pamphlet titled "The Case of Kenneth MacDonald." This little self-promotional book brought him to the attention of studio executives, and throughout the 1930s MacDonald could be seen as a mustachioed, mellifluous-voiced villain in scores of westerns and melodramas. His work in the Charles Starrett westerns at Columbia led to a lengthy association with that studio. From 1940 through 1954, MacDonald played featured roles in such Columbia productions as Island of Doomed Men (1940), Power of the Whistler (1945) and The Caine Mutiny (1954); he was also prominently cast in the studio's short subjects, especially in the comedies of the Three Stooges and Hugh Herbert, his most familiar role being that of a society criminal or shyster lawyer. During the 1960s, Kenneth MacDonald was a semi-regular on the Perry Mason TV series, playing a solemn judge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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Wikipedia: Kenneth MacDonald (American actor)
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
For the English actor, see Kenneth MacDonald.
Kenneth MacDonald
Born Kenneth Dollins
September 8, 1901(1901-09-08)
Portland, Indiana
USA
Died May 5, 1972 (aged 70)
Los Angeles, California
USA
Years active 1931-1970

Kenneth MacDonald (September 8, 1901 – May 5, 1972) was an American film actor. Born in Portland, Indiana, MacDonald made over 220 film and television appearances between 1931 and 1970.

MacDonald began his career as a stage actor, and came to Hollywood in the early 1930. He found a few bit parts at first, finally finding steady work in a series of Durango Kid westerns at Columbia Pictures.

Modern viewers will remember as a perfect foil in several Three Stooges films. MacDonald perfected the cool, debonair demeanor, while maintaining an underlying evil side as a con man, outlaw, or thief. He possessed a rich voice somewhat reminiscent of Boris Karloff's. His extra flair for physical comedy certainly helped, as he made memorable appearances in such films as Monkey Businessmen, Hold That Lion!, Crime on Their Hands, and Loose Loot.

After leaving the Columbia shorts department, MacDonald had a recurring role as Judge Carter on Perry Mason between 1957 and 1966.

MacDonald died of a brain tumor in Woodland Hills, California on May 5, 1972. He was buried in Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery.

Selected filmography

References

External links


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Actor. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kenneth MacDonald (American actor)".  Read more