Donald MacBride
Biography
Donald Hugh MacBride was an American character actor who worked on stage, in films, and on television. Born in Brooklyn, New York, his career began as a teenage singer in vaudeville, making several recordings in 1907. He later became a Broadway actor, appearing in Room Service. Over his career, he appeared in nearly 140 films between 1914 and 1955. He was best known for portraying detectives in crime films, including the role of Sergeant Roberts in the 1941 comedy Topp. His birth year has been given variously as 1889 or 1893, though his New York Times obituary recorded his age as 63 at the time of his death on June 21, 1957.
Career overview
Donald Hugh MacBride was an American character actor who worked on stage, in films, and on television. He launched his career as a teenage singer, making several recordings in 1907 in vaudeville. He later became an actor on Broadway, where he appeared in Room Service. Over the course of his screen career, he appeared in numerous films, with credits ranging across nearly 140 films between 1914 and 1955 according to biographical sources, while database records note 119 known credits in acting.
MacBride was best known for his portrayal of detectives in crime films, including his role as Sergeant Roberts in the 1941 comedy Topp. His filmography also includes appearances in titles such as Thin Man Goes Home, The and Zabijáci, as well as work in television including My Little Margie.
Regarding his vital statistics, standard reference books give his birth year variously as 1889 or 1893, though the 1893 date appears correct based on his New York Times obituary, which recorded his age as 63 at the time of his death on June 21, 1957. Other sources record his birth date as June 22, 1889, in Brooklyn, New York, United States, and he was also known by the name Donald Hugh Mac.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
119 titles- The Seven Year Itch (1955) as M. Brady
- Meet Danny Wilson (1952) as Sergeant Kelly
- Sailor Beware (1952) as Chief Bos'n Mate (uncredited)
- Gobs and Gals (1952) as Cmdr. J.E. Gerrens
- Newlyweds' House Guest (1952) as Bob's Boss
- Ghost Buster (1952) as JR Lynch
- Two Tickets to Broadway (1951) as Policeman
- The Stooge (1951) as Diner Proprietor (uncredited)
- Rhubarb (1951) as Pheeny
- Texas Carnival (1951) as Concessionaire
- Bowery Battalion (1951) as Herbert Frisbie
- Cuban Fireball (1951) as Captain Brown
- Joe Palooka Meets Humphrey (1950) as Mayor
- Holiday Rhythm (1950) as Earl E. Byrd
- The Story of Seabiscuit (1949) as George Carson
- Jinx Money (1948) as Police Capt. James Q. Broaderik
- Smart Politics (1948) as Phineas Wharton Sr. / Phineas Wharton Jr.
- Campus Sleuth (1948) as Insp. Watson
- Buck Privates Come Home (1947) as Police captain
- Good News (1947) as Coach Johnson
- The Egg and I (1947) as Mr. Henty
- The Fabulous Joe (1947) as Lawyer Gilbert
- Joe Palooka in the Knockout (1947) as Crockett
- Beat the Band (1947) as P. Aloysius Duff
- The Killers (1946) as R.S. Kenyon
- The Dark Corner (1946) as Policeman at Gallery (uncredited)
- The Time of Their Lives (1946) as Lt. Mason
- Blonde Alibi (1946) as Inspector Carmichael
- Little Giant (1946) as The conductor
- Girl on the Spot (1946) as Inspector Gleason
- The Dark Horse (1946) as John Rooney
- The Brute Man (1946) as Police Captain M. J. Donelly
- Out of This World (1945) as J.C. Crawford
- Hold That Blonde! (1945) as Mr. Kratz
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood (1945) as Dennis Kavanaugh
- Doll Face (1945) as Lawyer Ferguson
- She Gets Her Man (1945) as Henry Wright
- Penthouse Rhythm (1945) as Brewster
- The Thin Man Goes Home (1944) as Police Chief MacGregor
- The Doughgirls (1944) as The Judge
- They Got Me Covered (1943) as Mason
- A Stranger in Town (1943) as Vinnie Zephyr Blaxton
- Best Foot Forward (1943) as Capt. Bradd
- Lady Bodyguard (1943) as R.L Barclay
- A Night to Remember (1942) as Bolling
- The Glass Key (1942) as Farr
- Juke Girl (1942) as 'Muckeye' John
- My Sister Eileen (1942) as Officer Lonigan
- Two Yanks in Trinidad (1942) as Sgt. Valentine
- Mexican Spitfire Sees a Ghost (1942) as Percy Fitzbadden
- High Sierra (1941) as Big Mac
- Topper Returns (1941) as Sgt. Roberts
- Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) as Inspector Williams
- Love Crazy (1941) as 'Pinky' Grayson
- You'll Never Get Rich (1941) as Top Sergeant
- Louisiana Purchase (1941) as Capt. Pierre Whitfield
- You're in the Army Now (1941) as Colonel Dobson
- Rise and Shine (1941) as Coach Graham
- Footlight Fever (1941) as Jeff Crandall
- My Favorite Wife (1940) as Hotel Clerk
- The Invisible Woman (1940) as Foghorn
- Northwest Passage (1940) as Sergeant McNott
- Murder Over New York (1940) as Insp. Vance
- Michael Shayne: Private Detective (1940) as Chief Peter Painter
- Wyoming (1940) as Bart - Henchman
- Curtain Call (1940) as Jeff Crandall
- The Saint's Double Trouble (1940) as Inspector John H. Bohlen
- Northward, Ho! (1940) as Himself
- Charlie Chan at Treasure Island (1939) as Deputy Police Chief J.J. Kilvaine
- The Amazing Mr. Williams (1939) as Lieutenant Bixler
- The Gracie Allen Murder Case (1939) as Dist. Atty. John, Markham
- The Girl from Mexico (1939) as L. B. Renner
- Blondie Takes a Vacation (1939) as Harvey Morton
- The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939) as Hotel Manager
- The Girl and the Gambler (1939) as Mike Bascom
- The Flying Irishman (1939) as Roy Thompson
- The Great Man Votes (1939) as Iron Hat McCarthy
- Twelve Crowded Hours (1939) as Detective Sergeant Joe Keller
- Room Service (1938) as Gregory Wagner
- Annabel Takes a Tour (1938) as Thompson, RR Conductor
- His Pest Girl (1937) as Elevator operator
- Who's Crazy (1937)
- The Chemist (1936)
- Peaceful Relations (1936) as Irate Camper
- Nut Guilty (1936) as Dan Riley (uncredited)
- The Good Old Plumbertime (1936)
- His First Flame (1935) as Fire Chief (as Don McBride)
- Serves You Right (1935) as Muscle Bound Pete (as Don MacBride)
- A Little Girl with Big Ideas (1934)
- My Mummy's Arms (1934) as Egyptian (uncredited)
- Howd' Ya Like That? (1934) as Customs Officer
- A Peach of a Pair (1934) as The Baron - Dinner Guest (uncredited)
- Smoked Hams (1934) as Stagehand (uncredited)
- So You Won't T-T-T-Talk (1934) as Angry Neighbor (uncredited)
- The Wrong, Wrong Trail (1934) as I. Peek - Head Detective
- Why Nudism: An Expose of Nudism (1933) as Man Walking Through Lobby (uncredited)
- Buzzin' Around (1933) as Policeman
- That Goes Double (1933) as The Cop (uncredited)
- Here Comes Flossie! (1933) as Flossie's Driver
- Aces Wild (1933) as Mr. Dawson (uncredited)
- Wayward (1932) as Taxicab Driver (uncredited)
- The Misleading Lady (1932) as Bill - Asylum Guard
- Artistic Temper (1932)
- The Acid Test (1932)
- His Woman (1931) as Crewman
- Animal Crackers (1930) as House Party Guest (uncredited)
- The Capitol (1919) as Jimmy Vincent (as Donald Hugh McBride)
- The Shell Game (1918) as Vocal Teacher
- Gall and Golf (1917)
- The Fettered Woman (1917) as Jack Wolver
- Jane's Bashful Hero (1916) as Willie
- The Daring of Diana (1916) as Jimmy Towne
- Easy Money (1915)
- A Family Picnic (1915) as Mr. Jones
- The Revolt of Mr. Wiggs (1915) as Mr. Wiggs
- A Safe Investment (1915)
- By Might of His Right (1915) as The Wife's Big Brother
- Count 'Em (1915)
- The Mysterious Mr. Davey (1914) as The Office Boy
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Donald MacBride best known for?
Donald MacBride is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Seven Year Itch (1955), Sailor Beware (1952), The Stooge (1951), Hardcore Pawn (2010).
When and where was Donald MacBride born?
Donald MacBride was born on June 22, 1889 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. They passed away on June 21, 1957.
How many credits does Donald MacBride have?
Donald MacBride has accumulated over 119 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1930 to 1955.
What is Donald MacBride's background in cinema and television?
Donald Hugh MacBride was an American character actor who worked on stage, in films, and on television. Born in Brooklyn, New York, his career began as a teenage singer in vaudeville, making several recordings in 1907. He later became a Broadway actor, appearing in Room Service. Over his career, he appeared in nearly 14...
Donald MacBride by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Killers (1946) as R.S. Kenyon — aged about 57
- High Sierra (1941) as Big Mac — aged about 52
- The Seven Year Itch (1955) as M. Brady — aged about 66
- Animal Crackers (1930) as House Party Guest (uncredited) — aged about 41
- The Stooge (1951) as Diner Proprietor (uncredited) — aged about 62
- Sailor Beware (1952) as Chief Bos'n Mate (uncredited) — aged about 63
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