Erskine Sanford
Biography
Erskine Sanford was an American actor who worked on the stage, in radio and in motion pictures. He was born on 19 November 1885 in Trinidad, Colorado, and died on 7 July 1969 at the age of 83. Sanford was educated at the Horace Mann School in New York City and began his acting career with Minnie Maddern Fiske’s company, making his professional debut in the play Leah Kleschna. He later joined Orson Welles’s Mercury Theatre company and appeared in several of Welles’s films, most notably as the newspaper editor Herbert Carter in Citizen Kane. His film work also includes The Best Years of Our Lives and Letter from an Unknown Woman. According to TMDB he is credited with 33 acting roles.
Career overview
Erskine Sanford was born on November 19, 1885, in Trinidad, Colorado, and received his education at the Horace Mann School in New York City. He began his acting career with the company of stage veteran Minnie Maddern Fiske, making his professional debut in the production of Leah Kleschna. His early work was rooted in the American theatre, where he developed a reputation as a reliable character actor.
Sanford later expanded his career to radio and motion pictures, becoming a member of Orson Welles’s Mercury Theatre company. In that capacity he appeared in several of Welles’s films, most prominently portraying the perspiring newspaper editor Herbert Carter in Citizen Kane. Over the course of his career he accumulated thirty‑three credited performances in film and television, as recorded by the Motion Picture Database. Sanford continued to work in the entertainment industry until his death on July 7, 1969, at the age of 83. His contributions span stage, radio, and screen, reflecting a versatile presence in mid‑twentieth‑century American acting.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
33 titles- Too Much Johnson (2013) as Frederick
- The Company She Keeps (1951) as Planetarium Guide (uncredited)
- Sierra (1950) as Judge Prentiss
- Night Unto Night (1949) as Dr. Gallen Altheim
- Impact (1949) as Dr. Henry Bender
- Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948) as Porter
- Macbeth (1948) as Duncan
- Wake of the Red Witch (1948) as Dr. van Arken
- Kidnapped (1948) as Rankeillor
- Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven (1948) as Dr. Danson (uncredited)
- You Were Meant for Me (1948) as Frank Smith
- The Lady from Shanghai (1947) as Judge
- Possessed (1947) as Dr. Max Sherman
- Mourning Becomes Electra (1947) as Josiah Borden
- The Voice of the Turtle (1947) as Storekeeper
- The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) as Bullard
- The Stranger (1946) as Party Guest (uncredited)
- Without Reservations (1946) as Timothy Helgelander (uncredited)
- From This Day Forward (1946) as Higgler
- Angel on My Shoulder (1946) as Minister
- Crack-Up (1946) as Museum Director Barton
- Spellbound (1945) as Dr. Galt (uncredited)
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) as Undertaker (uncredited)
- Girls of the Big House (1945) as Professor O'Neill
- Mr. Skeffington (1944) as Dr. Fawcette (uncredited)
- Ministry of Fear (1944) as George Rennit
- Uncertain Glory (1944)
- Jane Eyre (1943) as Mr. Briggs (uncredited)
- The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) as Roger Bronson
- The Wife Takes a Flyer (1942) as Jan
- Citizen Kane (1941) as Herbert Carter
- Appointment for Love (1941) as Hastings' Butler (uncredited)
- Pop Always Pays (1940) as John Hayes
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Erskine Sanford best known for?
Erskine Sanford is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Company She Keeps (1951), Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948), The Lady from Shanghai (1947), The Best Years of Our Lives (1946).
When and where was Erskine Sanford born?
Erskine Sanford was born on November 19, 1885 in Trinidad, Colorado, USA. They passed away on July 7, 1969.
How many credits does Erskine Sanford have?
Erskine Sanford has accumulated over 33 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1940 to 2013.
What is Erskine Sanford's background in cinema and television?
Erskine Sanford was an American actor who worked on the stage, in radio and in motion pictures. He was born on 19 November 1885 in Trinidad, Colorado, and died on 7 July 1969 at the age of 83. Sanford was educated at the Horace Mann School in New York City and began his acting career with Minnie Maddern Fiske’s company...
Erskine Sanford by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Citizen Kane (1941) as Herbert Carter — aged about 55
- Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948) as Porter — aged about 62
- The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) as Bullard — aged about 60
- The Lady from Shanghai (1947) as Judge — aged about 61
- Spellbound (1945) as Dr. Galt (uncredited) — aged about 59
- The Magnificent Ambersons (1942) as Roger Bronson — aged about 56
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