Moroni Olsen
Biography
Moroni Olsen was an American actor born in Ogden, Utah, on June 27, 1889, though some sources note his birthday as June 26, 1889. His parents, Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha Hoverholst, were Mormon and named him after the Moroni found in the Book of Mormon. Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy, which was the predecessor of Weber State University, and later attended the University of Utah, where he was taught by Maud May Babcock. During World War I, he sold war bonds for the United States Navy and performed and studied in the Eastern United States. He also performed for some years on Broadway stages. He passed away on November 22, 1954.
Career overview
Moroni Olsen was an American actor born in Ogden, Utah, on June 27, 1889, with some sources recording his birthday as June 26, 1889. He was born to Mormon parents, Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha Hoverholst, and was named after the Moroni found in the Book of Mormon. Claims that his birth name was John Willard Clawson lack support.
Before his professional career developed, Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy, which was the predecessor of Weber State University, and later attended the University of Utah where he studied under Maud May Babcock. During World War I, he sold war bonds for the United States Navy. Around this same time, he studied and performed in the Eastern United States.
Olsen accumulated numerous known credits in his acting career, totaling 102 known credits as listed on movie and television databases. His theatrical background included playing on Broadway stages for several years, and he was associated with the Moroni Players. His career spanned across film and television work until his death on November 22, 1954, at the age of 65.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
102 titles- MGM Parade (1955) as Self
- Sign of the Pagan (1954) as Pope Leo I
- The Long, Long Trailer (1954) as Mr. Tewitt
- So This Is Love (1953) as Arnold Reuben
- Marry Me Again (1953) as Mr. Courtney
- Lone Star (1952) as Sam Houston
- At Sword's Point (1952) as Porthos
- Washington Story (1952) as Speaker Of The House
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Judge
- Father's Little Dividend (1951) as Herbert Dunstan
- Payment on Demand (1951) as Mr. Barton
- Submarine Command (1951) as Rear Adm. Joshua Rice
- No Questions Asked (1951) as Henry Manston
- Father of the Bride (1950) as Herbert Dunstan
- Samson and Delilah (1949) as Targil
- The Fountainhead (1949) as Chairman
- Task Force (1949) as Adm. Ames
- Command Decision (1948) as Congressman Stone
- Call Northside 777 (1948) as Parole Board Chairman
- Up in Central Park (1948) as Big Jim Fitts
- Possessed (1947) as Dr. Ames
- The Long Night (1947) as Chief of Police Bob McManus
- High Wall (1947) as Dr. Philip Dunlap
- That Hagen Girl (1947) as Trenton Gateley
- Life with Father (1947) as Dr. Humphries
- Black Gold (1947) as Don Toland
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Senior Angel (voice) (uncredited)
- Notorious (1946) as Walter Beardsley
- The Strange Woman (1946) as Rev. Thatcher
- Boys' Ranch (1946) as Judge Henderson
- From This Day Forward (1946) as Tim Bagley
- The Walls Came Tumbling Down (1946) as Bishop Martin
- Mildred Pierce (1945) as Inspector Peterson
- Week-End at the Waldorf (1945) as House Detective
- Pride of the Marines (1945) as Capt. Burroughs
- Don't Fence Me In (1945) as Henry Bennett
- Behind City Lights (1945) as Curtis Holbrook
- Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944) as General (uncredited)
- Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) as Caliph Hassan
- Cobra Woman (1944) as MacDonald
- Roger Touhy, Gangster (1944) as Riley
- Buffalo Bill (1944) as Sen. Frederici
- Air Force (1943) as Col. Blake
- Mission to Moscow (1943) as Col. Faymonville
- We've Never Been Licked (1943) as Commandant
- Madame Curie (1943) as President of Businessman's Board (uncredited)
- The Glass Key (1942) as Ralph Henry
- My Favorite Spy (1942) as Major Allen
- Reunion in France (1942) as Paul Grebeau
- Sundown Jim (1942) as Andrew Barr
- Nazi Agent (1942) as Brenner
- Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1942) as Dr. Henry Olcott
- Dive Bomber (1941) as Senior Surgeon at San Diego
- One Foot in Heaven (1941) as Dr. John Romer
- Dangerously They Live (1941) as Mr. John Goodwin
- Respect the Law (1941) as Dr. Walter Terriss
- Three Sons o' Guns (1941) as Philip G. Talbot
- Life with Henry (1941) as Sylvanus Q. Sattherwaite
- Santa Fe Trail (1940) as Robert E. Lee
- Virginia City (1940) as Cameron
- Brigham Young (1940) as Doc Richards
- Brother Rat and a Baby (1940) as Major Terry
- East of the River (1940) as Judge R.D. Davis
- If I Had My Way (1940) as Mr. Blair
- Invisible Stripes (1939) as The Warden
- Susannah of the Mounties (1939) as Andrew Standing
- The Three Musketeers (1939) as Bailiff
- Allegheny Uprising (1939) as Tom Calhoon
- Dust Be My Destiny (1939) as Slim Jones
- Rose of Washington Square (1939) as Buck Russell
- Homicide Bureau (1939) as Captain Haines
- That's Right – You're Wrong (1939) as Jonathan Forbes
- Barricade (1939) as Managing Editor
- The Bill of Rights (1939) as Royal Governor Dunmore
- Code of the Secret Service (1939) as The friar
- Off the Record (1939) as Juvenal Court Judge
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938) as Magic Mirror (voice) (uncredited)
- Marie Antoinette (1938) as Bearded Leader of the People (uncredited)
- There Goes My Heart (1938) as Fisherman (uncredited)
- Submarine Patrol (1938) as The Fleet Captain
- Gold Is Where You Find It (1938) as Senator Hearst
- That Certain Age (1938) as Fullerton's Associate (uncredited)
- Kidnapped (1938) as Douglas
- Kentucky (1938) as John Dillon - 1938
- What Do You Think? Tupapaoo (1938) as Kurt Larsen
- The Last Gangster (1937) as Detective Danny Shea (uncredited)
- The Soldier and the Lady (1937) as Tartar Chief (Voice) (Uncredited)
- Adventure's End (1937) as First Mate Rand Husk
- Mary of Scotland (1936) as John Knox
- The Plough and the Stars (1936) as General Connally
- The Witness Chair (1936) as Lt. Poole
- Yellow Dust (1936) as Missouri
- Mummy's Boys (1936) as Dr. Edward Sterling
- Grand Jury (1936) as Davis, the bodyguard
- Two in Revolt (1936) as Cyrus Benton
- The Farmer in the Dell (1936) as Chester Hart
- M'Liss (1936) as Jake
- Annie Oakley (1935) as Buffalo Bill
- We're Only Human (1935) as R.J. Curran
- The Three Musketeers (1935) as Porthos
- Seven Keys to Baldpate (1935) as Mayor Jim Cargen
- Death Takes a Holiday (1934) as Cardinal De Valle (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Moroni Olsen best known for?
Moroni Olsen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including MGM Parade (1955), Sign of the Pagan (1954), The Long, Long Trailer (1954), Lone Star (1952).
When and where was Moroni Olsen born?
Moroni Olsen was born on June 26, 1889 in Ogden, Utah, USA. They passed away on November 22, 1954.
How many credits does Moroni Olsen have?
Moroni Olsen has accumulated over 102 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1934 to 1955.
What is Moroni Olsen's background in cinema and television?
Moroni Olsen was an American actor born in Ogden, Utah, on June 27, 1889, though some sources note his birthday as June 26, 1889. His parents, Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha Hoverholst, were Mormon and named him after the Moroni found in the Book of Mormon. Olsen studied at Weber Stake Academy, which was the predeces...