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J. Farrell MacDonald

Acting Born Jun 5, 1875 Died Aug 2, 1952 Waterbury, Connecticut, USA 284 credits
284
Total Credits
1920–1997
78 Years Career Span
14
Vault Titles
10
Key Co-Stars

Biography

J. Farrell MacDonald was an American character actor and director. He appeared in over 325 films during a 41-year career from 1911 to 1951. MacDonald directed forty-four silent films from 1912 to 1917. He was the principal director of L. Frank Baum's Oz Film Manufacturing Company and frequently appeared in films of notable directors, including Frank Capra, Preston Sturges, and John Ford. Early in his career, MacDonald was a singer in minstrel shows and toured the United States extensively. He is known for his extensive work in the film industry, with 283 known credits. MacDonald was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA, on June 5, 1875, and died on August 2, 1952, at the age of 77.

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Career

Career overview

J. Farrell MacDonald was an American character actor who appeared in over 325 films during his 41-year career. He played supporting roles and occasional leads in various films. MacDonald's acting career spanned from 1911 to 1951.

MacDonald frequently appeared in the films of notable directors, including Frank Capra, Preston Sturges, and John Ford. His extensive filmography includes appearances in a wide range of films, showcasing his versatility as an actor. MacDonald's experience in the entertainment industry began early in his career, as he was a singer in minstrel shows and toured the United States extensively for two years with stage productions.

MacDonald's career as an actor is notable for its longevity and the sheer number of films in which he appeared. His ability to adapt to various roles and work with prominent directors contributed to his success in the film industry. As a character actor, MacDonald played a significant role in many films, often providing supporting performances that added depth to the stories.

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Known for

Film

Superman and the Mole Men

as Pop Shannon
Film

Here Comes the Groom

as Husband on Airplane (uncredited)
Film

Woman on the Run

as Cap, the Retired Ferryboat Captain
Film

When Willie Comes Marching Home

as Gilby - Pharmacist (uncredited)
Film

It's a Wonderful Life

as Man Whose Grandfather Planted Tree (uncredited)
Film

My Darling Clementine

as Mac the barman
Film

Fallen Angel

as Bank Guard (uncredited)

A Life's Worth

as Police Sergeant Haggerty

Rainha da Sucata

as Dave
Film

Zenobia

as Judge

Haven

as Peg-Leg

Al Derecho y al Derbez

as Ben Murdock

Frequent co-stars

Oliver Hardy 1 shared title
Harry Langdon 1 shared title
Billie Burke 1 shared title
Alice Brady 1 shared title
James Ellison 1 shared title
Jean Parker 1 shared title
June Lang 1 shared title
Olin Howland 1 shared title
Hattie McDaniel 1 shared title
Bess Flowers 1 shared title

Career timeline

Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line
Superman and the Mole MenHere Comes the GroomMr. Belvedere Rings the Bell
Woman on the RunWhen Willie Comes Marching HomeHostile CountryDakota LilThe Daltons' Women
The Dalton GangYou're My EverythingStreets of San Francisco
The Walls of JerichoBelle Starr's DaughterShep Comes HomeSitting PrettyFury at Furnace Creek
The Bachelor and the Bobby-SoxerChristmas EveThe Sin of Harold DiddlebockThunder in the ValleyKeeper of the Bees
It's a Wonderful LifeMy Darling ClementineGoodbye, WeedsJoe Palooka, ChampSmoky
Fallen AngelA Tree Grows in BrooklynCircumstantial EvidenceHangover SquareJohnny Angel
Greenwich VillageThe Miracle of Morgan's CreekThe Great MomentTexas Masquerade
True to LifeHarrigan's KidThe Ape ManTiger Fangs
The Palm Beach StoryReap the Wild WindBowery at MidnightCaptains of the CloudsThe McGuerins from Brooklyn
Meet John DoeThe Great LieBroadway LimitedIn Old CheyenneLaw of the Timber
Dark CommandKnights of the RangeThe Light of Western StarsUntamedStagecoach War
ZenobiaThe Housekeeper's DaughterSusannah of the MountiesThey Shall Have MusicThe Lone Ranger Rides Again
There Goes My HeartSubmarine PatrolWhite BannersThe Crowd RoarsState Police
TopperSlimParnellParnellFlying Fists
Show BoatRiffraffExclusive StoryFlorida SpecialMysterious Crossing
Front Page WomanSwellheadThe Whole Town's TalkingOur Little GirlLet 'em Have It
The Crime DoctorOnce to Every WomanRomance in ManhattanMan of Two WorldsThe Crosby Case
The Working ManI Loved a WomanLaughing at LifePeg o' My HeartThe Power and the Glory
Heritage of the DesertNo Man of Her OwnThis Sporting AgeThe Hurricane ExpressMe and My Gal
The MillionaireThe Maltese FalconThe Squaw ManOther Men's WomenThe Stolen Jools
Men Without WomenSong o' My HeartRiver's EndThe Truth About YouthThe Girl of the Golden West
Masked EmotionsHappy DaysStrong BoySouth Sea RoseThe Painted Angel
In Old ArizonaAbie's Irish RoseThe Cohens and the Kellys in ParisRiley the CopBringing Up Father
Sunrise: A Song of Two HumansAnkles PreferredEast Side, West SideCradle SnatchersPaid to Love
3 Bad MenThe Family UpstairsThe Dixie MerchantThe Shamrock HandicapThe First Year
The Iron HorseThe Fighting HeartLet Women AloneThe Lucky HorseshoeKentucky Pride
The Storm DaughterWestern LuckGerald Cranston's LadyMademoiselle MidnightThe Signal Tower
DriftingFashionable FakersQuicksandsThe Age of DesireRacing Hearts

Full Filmography

284 titles
  • Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line (1997) as Self (archive footage)
  • Superman and the Mole Men (1951) as Pop Shannon
  • Here Comes the Groom (1951) as Husband on Airplane (uncredited)
  • Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell (1951) as Mr. Kroeger
  • Woman on the Run (1950) as Cap, the Retired Ferryboat Captain
  • When Willie Comes Marching Home (1950) as Gilby - Pharmacist (uncredited)
  • Hostile Country (1950) as Mr. Lane (uncredited)
  • Dakota Lil (1950) as Ellis
  • Advertisement
  • The Daltons' Women (1950) as Alvin
  • The Dalton Gang (1949) as Judge Price
  • You're My Everything (1949) as Doorman (uncredited)
  • Streets of San Francisco (1949) as Pop Lockhart
  • The Walls of Jericho (1948) as Bailiff (uncredited)
  • Belle Starr's Daughter (1948) as Doc Benson
  • Shep Comes Home (1948) as Sheriff Cap Weatherby
  • Sitting Pretty (1948) as Cop (uncredited)
  • Fury at Furnace Creek (1948) as Pops Murphy (uncredited)
  • Panhandle (1948) as Doc Cooper
  • Whispering Smith (1948) as Bill Baggs
  • If You Knew Susie (1948) as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
  • Trouble Preferred (1948) as Apartment House Manager (uncredited)
  • The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer (1947) as Mac (uncredited)
  • Christmas Eve (1947) as Policeman (uncredited)
  • The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (1947) as Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
  • Thunder in the Valley (1947) as McPherson - Innkeeper
  • Keeper of the Bees (1947) as Postmaster
  • Web of Danger (1947) as Scotty MacKronish - Bus Driver
  • It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Man Whose Grandfather Planted Tree (uncredited)
  • My Darling Clementine (1946) as Mac the barman
  • Goodbye, Weeds (1946) as Gardener
  • Joe Palooka, Champ (1946) as Long-Count Bowman
  • Smoky (1946) as Jim
  • Fallen Angel (1945) as Bank Guard (uncredited)
  • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) as Mr. Carney The Junkman (uncredited)
  • Circumstantial Evidence (1945) as Jury Foreman
  • Hangover Square (1945) as Street Vendor (uncredited)
  • Johnny Angel (1945) as Capt. Angel
  • Pillow of Death (1945)
  • Greenwich Village (1944) as O'Shea, policeman
  • The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944) as Sheriff (uncredited)
  • The Great Moment (1944) as The Priest
  • Texas Masquerade (1944) as John Martindale
  • True to Life (1943) as Man (uncredited)
  • Harrigan's Kid (1943) as Frank (uncredited)
  • The Ape Man (1943) as Captain O'Brien
  • Tiger Fangs (1943) as Geoffrey MacCardle
  • The Palm Beach Story (1942) as Officer O'Donnell (uncredited)
  • Reap the Wild Wind (1942) as Port Captain
  • Bowery at Midnight (1942) as Capt. Mitchell
  • Captains of the Clouds (1942) as Dr. Neville
  • The McGuerins from Brooklyn (1942) as Cop
  • Wild Bill Hickok Rides (1942) as Henry Hathaway
  • Phantom Killer (1942) as Police Captain
  • The Living Ghost (1942) as Police Lt. 'Pete' Peterson
  • Private Snuffy Smith (1942) as Gen. Rosewater
  • One Thrilling Night (1942) as Police Sergeant Haggerty
  • Meet John Doe (1941) as 'Sourpuss'
  • The Great Lie (1941) as Dr. Ferguson
  • Broadway Limited (1941) as Mulcahey
  • In Old Cheyenne (1941) as Tim Casey
  • Law of the Timber (1941) as Adams
  • Riders of the Timberline (1941) as Jim Kerrigan
  • Dark Command (1940) as Dave
  • Knights of the Range (1940) as Cappy
  • The Light of Western Stars (1940) as Bill Stillwell
  • Untamed (1940) as Dr. Billar
  • Stagecoach War (1940) as Jeff Chapman
  • I Take This Oath (1940) as Insp. Tim Ryan
  • Pony Express Days (1940) as Nevada Jim
  • The Last Alarm (1940) as Jim Hadley
  • Friendly Neighbors (1940) as Sheiff Potts
  • Prairie Law (1940) as Sheriff Jim Austin
  • Zenobia (1939) as Judge
  • The Housekeeper's Daughter (1939) as Captain
  • Susannah of the Mounties (1939) as Pat O'Hannegan
  • They Shall Have Music (1939) as Police Chief (uncredited)
  • The Lone Ranger Rides Again (1939) as Craig Dolan
  • Coast Guard (1939) as Capt. Hansen (uncredited)
  • Full Confession (1939) as Joe, Police Sergeant (uncredited)
  • East Side of Heaven (1939) as Doorman (uncredited)
  • The Gentleman from Arizona (1939) as Wild Bill Coburn
  • Conspiracy (1939) as Captain of the Falcon
  • Mickey the Kid (1939) as Sheriff J.J. Willoughby
  • There Goes My Heart (1938) as Officer
  • Submarine Patrol (1938) as CWO 'Sails' Quincannon
  • White Banners (1938) as Dr. Thompson
  • The Crowd Roars (1938) as Father Patrick Ryan
  • State Police (1938) as Charlie Wheeler
  • My Old Kentucky Home (1938) as Mayor Jim Hopkins
  • Come On, Rangers (1938) as Colonel Forbes
  • Numbered Woman (1938) as Capt. Mike Ryan
  • Barefoot Boy (1938) as Warden
  • Extortion (1938) as Coach Pearson
  • Gang Bullets (1938) as Chief Reardon
  • The Last Express (1938) as William Barton (Detective Agency Head)
  • Little Orphan Annie (1938) as 'Pop' Corrigan
  • Topper (1937) as Policeman
  • Slim (1937) as Pop
  • Parnell (1937) as Irish Laborer (uncredited)
  • Parnell (1937) as Irish Laborer
  • Flying Fists (1937) as Bill 'One-Punch' Fagin
  • Slave Ship (1937) as Proprietor
  • The Great Barrier (1937) as Major Rogers
  • Maid of Salem (1937) as Captain of Ship
  • Courage of the West (1937) as Buck Saunders
  • My Dear Miss Aldrich (1937) as 'Doc' Howe
  • The Game That Kills (1937) as Joe Holland
  • Roaring Timber (1937) as Andrew MacKinley
  • The Hit Parade (1937) as Sgt. O'Hara
  • County Fair (1937) as Calvin Williams
  • Show Boat (1936) as Windy MacLaine
  • Riffraff (1936) as 'Brains'
  • Exclusive Story (1936) as Michael Devlin
  • Florida Special (1936) as Harrigan
  • Mysterious Crossing (1936) as Police Chief Bullock
  • Front Page Woman (1935) as Hallohan
  • Swellhead (1935) as Umpire
  • The Whole Town's Talking (1935) as Prison Warden (uncredited)
  • Our Little Girl (1935) as Mr. Tramp
  • Let 'em Have It (1935) as Mr. Keefer
  • The Irish in Us (1935) as Capt. Jackson
  • Hitch Hike Lady (1935) as Judge Hale
  • Waterfront Lady (1935) as Capt. O'Brien
  • The Arizonian (1935) as Marshal Andy Jordan
  • Stormy (1935) as Trinidad Dorn
  • The Best Man Wins (1935) as Captain--Harbor Patrol
  • Fighting Youth (1935) as Coach Parker
  • The Healer (1935) as Applejack
  • Star of Midnight (1935) as Inspector Doremus
  • Northern Frontier (1935) as Inspector
  • Shadows of the Orient (1935) as Inspector Sullivan
  • Maybe It's Love (1935) as The Cop
  • Square Shooter (1935) as Sheriff
  • Danger Ahead (1935) as Harry Cromwell
  • The Crime Doctor (1934) as Kemp
  • Once to Every Woman (1934) as Flannigan
  • Romance in Manhattan (1934) as Murphy
  • Man of Two Worlds (1934) as Michael
  • The Crosby Case (1934) as The Doorman--Mike Costello
  • Beggar's Holiday (1934) as Pop Malloy
  • The Working Man (1933) as Henry 'Hank' Davis
  • I Loved a Woman (1933) as Shuster
  • Laughing at Life (1933) as Prison Warden
  • Peg o' My Heart (1933) as Patrick Shamus 'Pat' O'Connell
  • The Power and the Glory (1933) as Mulligan
  • Murder on the Campus (1933) as Police Capt. Ed Kyne
  • Myrt and Marge (1933) as Grady
  • The Vanishing Frontier (1933) as Waco
  • The Iron Master (1933) as J.C. Stillman
  • Under Secret Orders (1933) as John Burke
  • How to Break 90 #6: Fine Points (1933) as Himself
  • Heritage of the Desert (1932) as Adam Naab
  • No Man of Her Own (1932) as "Dickie" Collins
  • This Sporting Age (1932) as Jerry O'Day
  • The Hurricane Express (1932) as Jim Baker
  • Me and My Gal (1932) as Pop Riley
  • The Strange Love of Molly Louvain (1932) as Police Sgt. J.B. Antrim (uncredited)
  • Under Eighteen (1932) as Pop Evans
  • Probation (1932) as George Holman
  • Madame Racketeer (1932) as John Adams
  • The Thirteenth Guest (1932) as Captain Ryan
  • The Pride of the Legion (1932) as Chief Scott
  • Men Are Such Fools (1932) as Prison Warden Randolph
  • Scandal for Sale (1932) as Treadway
  • Hearts of Humanity (1932) as Tom O'Hara
  • Week-End Marriage (1932) as Mr. Davis
  • The Racing Strain (1932) as Mr. Martin
  • Discarded Lovers (1932) as Sommers
  • 70,000 Witnesses (1932) as State Coach
  • Hotel Continental (1932) as Detective Martin
  • The Phantom Express (1932) as D.J. 'Smokey' Nolan
  • Steady Company (1932) as Hogan
  • The Millionaire (1931) as Dan Lewis
  • The Maltese Falcon (1931) as Det. Sgt. Tom Polhaus
  • The Squaw Man (1931) as Big Bill
  • Other Men's Women (1931) as Peg-Leg
  • The Stolen Jools (1931) as Policeman
  • The Painted Desert (1931) as Jeff Cameron
  • The Spirit of Notre Dame (1931) as The Coach
  • Stranger in Town (1931) as Scout
  • The Easiest Way (1931) as Ben Murdock
  • The Brat (1931) as Timson, the butler
  • Woman Hungry (1931) as Buzzard
  • Too Young to Marry (1931) as Rev. Stump
  • Sporting Blood (1931) as MacGuire
  • Touchdown! (1931) as Pop Stewart
  • How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 9: 'The Driver' (1931)
  • Men Without Women (1930) as Costello
  • Song o' My Heart (1930) as Rafferty
  • River's End (1930) as O'Toole
  • The Truth About Youth (1930) as Colonel Graham
  • The Girl of the Golden West (1930) as Sonora Slim
  • Masked Emotions (1929) as Will Whitten
  • Happy Days (1929) as Train Conductor
  • Strong Boy (1929) as Angus McGregor
  • South Sea Rose (1929) as Hackett
  • The Painted Angel (1929) as Pa Hudler
  • Masquerade (1929) as Joe Hickey
  • In Old Arizona (1928) as Stage Passenger (uncredited)
  • Abie's Irish Rose (1928) as Patrick Murphy
  • The Cohens and the Kellys in Paris (1928) as Patrick Kelly
  • Riley the Cop (1928) as James 'Aloysius' Riley
  • Bringing Up Father (1928) as Jiggs
  • 4 Devils (1928) as The Clown
  • None But the Brave (1928) as John Craig
  • Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927) as The Photographer
  • Ankles Preferred (1927) as McGuire
  • East Side, West Side (1927) as Pug Malone
  • Cradle Snatchers (1927) as George Martin
  • Paid to Love (1927) as Peter Roberts
  • 3 Bad Men (1926) as Mike Costigan
  • The Family Upstairs (1926) as Joe Heller
  • The Dixie Merchant (1926) as Jean Paul Fippany
  • The Shamrock Handicap (1926) as Con O'Shea
  • The First Year (1926) as Mr. Barstow
  • The Last Frontier (1926) as Wild Bill Hickok
  • A Trip to Chinatown (1926) as Benjamin Strong
  • Bertha the Sewing Machine Girl (1926) as Sloan
  • The Country Beyond (1926) as Sgt. Cassidy
  • The Iron Horse (1925) as Corporal Casey
  • The Fighting Heart (1925) as Jerry
  • Let Women Alone (1925) as Commodore John Gordon
  • The Lucky Horseshoe (1925) as Mack
  • Kentucky Pride (1925) as Donavan
  • Thank You (1925) as Andy
  • Lightnin' (1925) as Lemuel Townsend
  • The Storm Daughter (1924) as Con Mullaney
  • Western Luck (1924) as 'Chuck' Campbell
  • Gerald Cranston's Lady (1924) as Rennie
  • Mademoiselle Midnight (1924) as Duc de Moing (Prologue)
  • The Signal Tower (1924) as Pete
  • Those Who Dare (1924)
  • The Brass Bowl (1924) as Hickey
  • Drifting (1923) as Murphy
  • Fashionable Fakers (1923) as Pat O'Donnell
  • Quicksands (1923) as Col. Patterson
  • The Age of Desire (1923) as Dan Reagan
  • Racing Hearts (1923) as Silas Martin
  • While Paris Sleeps (1923)
  • Come on Over (1922) as Michael Morahan
  • Tracks (1922) as Jack Bess
  • The Ghost Breaker (1922) as Sam Marcum
  • The Bachelor Daddy (1922) as Joe Pelton
  • Manslaughter (1922) as (uncredited)
  • The Bonded Woman (1922) as Captain Gaskell
  • The Young Rajah (1922) as Amhad Beg - Prime Minister
  • Sky High (1922) as Jim Frazer (as J. Farrel MacDonald)
  • Over the Border (1922) as Peter Galbraith
  • Desperate Youth (1921)
  • Action (1921) as Mormon Peters
  • The Freeze-Out (1921) as Bobtail McGuire
  • The Wallop (1921) as Neuces River
  • Trailin' (1921) as Joseph Piotto
  • Riding with Death (1921) as Sheriff Pat Garrity
  • Bullet Proof (1920) as Jim Boone
  • The Path She Chose (1920) as Father
  • Hitchin' Posts (1920) as Joe Alabam (as J. Farrell McDonald)
  • Roped (1919) as Butler
  • Riders of Vengeance (1919) as Buell
  • A Sporting Chance (1919) as Luther Ripley aka Kennedy
  • The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1919)
  • Trixie from Broadway (1919) as Slim Hayes
  • Molly of the Follies (1919) as Swannick
  • This Hero Stuff (1919) as Softnose Smith
  • Marked Men (1919) as Tom Placer McGraw
  • A Fight For Love (1919) as The Priest
  • Fair Enough (1918) as Chief of Police Morgan
  • $5,000 Reward (1918) as Norcross
  • Over the Fence (1917) Director
  • Rags (1915) as Paul Ferguson (as Joseph Farrell MacDonald)
  • Lonesome Luke, Social Gangster (1915) Director
  • Samson (1914) Director
  • His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz (1914) Director
  • The Magic Cloak of Oz (1914) Director
  • The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1914) Director
  • The Backslider (1914) Director
  • Rory o' the Bogs (1913) Director
  • The Calling of Louis Mona (1913)
  • A Timely Repentance (1912) as Louis Nordell
  • The Scarlet Letter (1911)
  • The Dream (1911) as Secondary Role (uncredited)
  • The Lighthouse Keeper (1911) as The Lighthouse Keeper
  • 'Tween Two Loves (1911) as Farmer Howard
  • The Time-Lock Safe (1910) as Office Worker

Frequently Asked Questions

What movies or TV shows is J. Farrell MacDonald best known for?

J. Farrell MacDonald is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Superman and the Mole Men (1951), Here Comes the Groom (1951), Woman on the Run (1950), When Willie Comes Marching Home (1950).

When and where was J. Farrell MacDonald born?

J. Farrell MacDonald was born on June 5, 1875 in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA. They passed away on August 2, 1952.

How many credits does J. Farrell MacDonald have?

J. Farrell MacDonald has accumulated over 284 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1920 to 1997.

What is J. Farrell MacDonald's background in cinema and television?

J. Farrell MacDonald was an American character actor and director. He appeared in over 325 films during a 41-year career from 1911 to 1951. MacDonald directed forty-four silent films from 1912 to 1917. He was the principal director of L. Frank Baum's Oz Film Manufacturing Company and frequently appeared in films of not...

J. Farrell MacDonald by the numbers

284credits
284films
0TV series
1910–1997active years

Age in their best-rated roles

Full filmography (284) Born on June 5 In memoriam 1952

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