archytele The Vault

Al Bridge

Acting Born Feb 25, 1891 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA 24 credits

Biography

Al Bridge was an American character actor, a fixture both in Westerns and in the comedies of Preston Sturges.

Although frequently billed as Alan Bridge, he was born Alfred Morton Bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1891 (not as Alford Bridge in 1890, as his tombstone erroneously states).

Following service as a corporal in the U.S. Army infantry in the first World War, Bridge joined a theatrical troupe. He dabbled in writing and in 1930 sold a script to a short film, Her Hired Husband (1930). He followed this with a B-Western script, God's Country and the Man (1931), in which he made his film debut as an actor.

For the next quarter century, he managed the atypical achievement of maintaining a career in both B-Westerns and in bigger dramatic and comedy features. Ten films for director Preston Sturges represent probably his most familiar contribution to Hollywood history. Bridge also appeared frequently on television until his death in 1957 at 66.

Ask the Vault

Ask anything about Al Bridge.

Known for

Film

It's a Wonderful Life

as Sheriff (uncredited)
Film

Herbie Fully Loaded

as Sheriff
Film

Honky Tonk

as Townsman at Meeting House (uncredited)

Annie Oakley

as Pop Wade

Annie Oakley

as Walt Stone

The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok

as Sheriff (uncredited)
Film

Strangers on a Train

as Tennis Judge (uncredited)
Film

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

as Senator Dwight (uncredited)

Private Eye

as Agent in Phone Booth (uncredited)
Film

The Awful Truth

as Motor Cop (uncredited)
Film

Saboteur

as Marine MP Sergeant (uncredited)
Film

The Lady Eve

as First Steward (uncredited)

Frequent co-stars

Robert Warwick 2 shared titles
Turo Pajala 1 shared title
Susanna Haavisto 1 shared title
Matti Pellonpää 1 shared title
Eetu Hilkamo 1 shared title
Erkki Pajala 1 shared title
Matti Jaaranen 1 shared title
Hannu Viholainen 1 shared title
Jorma Markkula 1 shared title
Tarja Keinänen 1 shared title

Career timeline

Annie OakleyAnnie Oakley
The Adventures of Wild Bill HickokStrangers on a Train
The Gene Autry Show
Silver River
T-Men
It's a Wonderful Life
They Were ExpendableA Tree Grows in Brooklyn
SaboteurI Married a WitchThe Talk of the Town
Honky TonkThe Little FoxesThe Lady EveSullivan's Travels
Santa Fe Trail
Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonThe Roaring Twenties
Jezebel
Dead EndThe Awful Truth
A Night at the Opera

Full filmography

  • It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Sheriff (uncredited)
  • The Gene Autry Show (1950) as Sheriff
  • Honky Tonk (1941) as Townsman at Meeting House (uncredited)
  • Annie Oakley (1954) as Pop Wade
  • Annie Oakley (1954) as Walt Stone
  • The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1951) as Sheriff (uncredited)
  • Strangers on a Train (1951) as Tennis Judge (uncredited)
  • Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) as Senator Dwight (uncredited)
  • Dead End (1937) as Policeman in Drina's Apartment (uncredited)
  • The Roaring Twenties (1939) as Ship Captain (uncredited)
  • T-Men (1947) as Agent in Phone Booth (uncredited)
  • The Awful Truth (1937) as Motor Cop (uncredited)
  • Saboteur (1942) as Marine MP Sergeant (uncredited)
  • Jezebel (1938) as New Orleans Sheriff (uncredited)
  • I Married a Witch (1942) as Second Prison Guard (uncredited)
  • Silver River (1948) as Sam Slade
  • The Little Foxes (1941) as Dawson (uncredited)
  • They Were Expendable (1945) as Lieutenant Colonel (uncredited)
  • The Lady Eve (1941) as First Steward (uncredited)
  • Sullivan's Travels (1941) as The Mister
  • Santa Fe Trail (1940) as Palmyra Townsman (uncredited)
  • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) as Cheap Charlie (uncredited)
  • A Night at the Opera (1935) as Immigration Inspector (uncredited)
  • The Talk of the Town (1942) as Desk Sergeant (uncredited)