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Robert Dudley

 
Actor: Robert Dudley
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  • Born: Sep 13, 1869 in Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Died: Sep 15, 1955 in San Clemente, California
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Active: '20s-'40s
  • Major Genres: Comedy, Drama
  • Career Highlights: The Ghost and the Guest, Skinner's Big Idea
  • First Major Screen Credit: Skinner's Big Idea (1928)

Biography

A former dentist, Robert Dudley began appearing in small supporting roles on screen around 1917 (he played a clerk in the first screen version of the mystery-comedy Seven Keys to Baldpate) and would appear in literally hundreds of films until his retirement in 1951. Often cast as jurors, shopkeepers, ticket agents, and court clerks, the typical Dudley character displayed a very short fuse. Of all his often miniscule performances, one in particular stands out: the apartment-hunting "Wienie King" in Preston Sturges' hilarious The Palm Beach Story (1942). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
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Wikipedia: Robert Dudley (actor)
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Robert Dudley

as "The Wienie King" in The Palm Beach Story
Born Robert Y. Dudley
13 September 1869
Cincinnati, Ohio U.S.
Died 15 September 1955 (aged 86)
San Clemente, California U.S.
Occupation actor
Years active 1917–1951
Spouse(s) Elaine Anderson

Robert Dudley (13 September 1869–15 September 1955), born Robert Y. Dudley in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a dentist turned film character actor who would, in his 35 year career, appear in over 115 films.[1]

Career

Dudley was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and was educated at Lake Forest University in Evanston, Illinois and Chicago, where he majored in oral surgery.[2] In 1917 he appeared in his first film, Seven Keys to Baldpate, and then made three other silent films through 1921. After 1922 he worked consistently, appearing in three or four films a year, and making the transition to sound films in 1929 with The Bellamy Trial. Dudley often played characters with a quick temper, including jurors, shopkeepers, ticket agents, court clerks and justices of the peace, as well as an occasional farmer, hobo, or laborer.[3] His performances in these small parts were frequently uncredited.[1]

In the 1940s, Dudley was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in six films written and directed by Sturges.[4] His most distinctive and memorable role for Sturges was the "Wienie King" in 1942's The Palm Beach Story, the funny little self-made rich man with a big hat who spontaneously bankrolls Claudette Colbert and Joel McCrea on their escapade.

The 5' 9" Dudley, who was the founder of the "Troupers Club of Hollywood", was married to Elaine Anderson, and they had two girls, Jewell and Patricia Lee.[2] He made his final film, As Young as You Feel in 1951, and died 15 September 1955 in San Clemente, California, two days after his 86th birthday.

Notes

  1. ^ a b Robert Dudley at the Internet Movie Database
  2. ^ a b IMDB Biography
  3. ^ Wollstein, Hans J. Biography (Allmovie)
  4. ^ Dudley appeared in The Lady Eve, Sullivan's Travels, The Palm Beach Story, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, The Great Moment and The Sin of Harold Diddlebock

External links

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