Richard Carlson
Biography
Richard Dutoit Carlson was an American male performer born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, in April 1912. He pursued a career that encompassed acting, as well as directing and screenwriting for both television and film. Over the course of his professional life he accumulated more than one hundred credited appearances, with a total of 104 listed credits. He was commonly known simply as Richard. Carlson’s work spanned several decades until his death in November 1977. His contributions to the entertainment industry were recognized primarily for his acting, though he also engaged in behind‑the‑camera roles as a director and writer.
Career overview
Richard Dutoit Carlson (April 29, 1912 – November 25, 1977) was an American actor whose career spanned both film and television. Born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, he entered the entertainment industry in the early 1940s and accumulated more than one hundred credited performances across a variety of genres. His work included leading and supporting roles in feature films as well as appearances in numerous television series, reflecting a versatile presence on screen.
Among the productions that brought him particular recognition were the suspense film Thriller and the wartime drama I Led 3 Lives. He also became a familiar face on the anthology series Kraft Television Theatre, where his performances contributed to the program’s reputation for high‑quality live drama. Throughout his career, Carlson was credited in 104 acting roles, demonstrating a sustained demand for his talent in both cinematic and televised formats.
In addition to acting, Carlson occasionally worked behind the camera as a director and screenwriter, but his primary public identity remained that of a prolific actor. He continued to work steadily until his death on November 25, 1977, at the age of 65, leaving a substantial body of work that remains documented in film and television archives.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
122 titles- 3-D Rarities (2015) as (archive footage)
- The World of Hammer (1994) as Self (archive footage)
- The Swiss Family Robinson (1975)
- Freedom 2000 (1974)
- Cannon (1971)
- The Valley of Gwangi (1969) as Champ Connors
- Change of Habit (1969) as Bishop Finley
- It Takes a Thief (1968) as Daniel K. Ryder
- Lancer (1968)
- The Power (1968) as Prof. Norman E. Van Zandt
- The Doomsday Flight (1966) as Chief Pilot Bob Shea
- Kid Rodelo (1966) as Link
- Kid Rodelo (1966) Director
- The F.B.I. (1965) as Harold David Dewitt
- Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964) as Mattson
- Della (1964) as David Stafford
- The Fugitive (1963) as Allan Pruitt
- Burke's Law (1963) as Nels Manning
- Burke's Law (1963) as Dr. Carol Smith
- Arrest and Trial (1963) as Turner Leigh
- The Virginian (1962) as Sheriff Marden
- The Virginian (1962) as Major Ralph Forrester
- Going My Way (1962)
- Bus Stop (1961)
- Famous Ghost Stories (1961) as Tom Stewart (segment 'Tormented')
- Thriller (1960) as Guy Guthrie
- Thriller (1960) Director
- The Aquanauts (1960) as Ross Porter
- Tormented (1960) as Tom Stewart
- Rawhide (1959) as Major Buford
- The Detectives (1959) Director
- Riverboat (1959) as Paul Drake
- Men Into Space (1959) Director
- The Man and the Challenge (1959) Director
- This Man Dawson (1959) Director
- Mackenzie's Raiders (1958)
- Mackenzie's Raiders (1958) Director
- The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958) Director
- Johnny Rocco (1958) Story
- The Unchained Goddess (1958) as The Writer
- The Unchained Goddess (1958) Director
- Perry Mason (1957) as Anthony Fry
- Perry Mason (1957) as Clete Hawley
- The Helen Morgan Story (1957) as Russell Wade
- Hemo the Magnificent (1957) as Mr. Fiction Writer
- Appointment with a Shadow (1957) Director
- The Strange Case of the Cosmic Rays (1957) as The Fiction Writer
- Three for Jamie Dawn (1956) as Martin Random
- The Last Command (1955) as William B. Travis
- An Annapolis Story (1955) as Introductory Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- Bengazi (1955) as Insp. Levering
- Climax! (1954) as Col. Dobie
- Climax! (1954) as Cass Terhgune
- Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) as Dr. David Reed
- Riders to the Stars (1954) as Dr. Jerry Lockwood
- Riders to the Stars (1954) Director
- Four Guns to the Border (1954) Director
- I Led Three Lives (1953) as Herbert Philbrick
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Larry Carlson
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Radio Announcer (voice)
- Letter to Loretta (1953) Director
- I Led 3 Lives (1953) as Herbert A. Philbrick
- It Came from Outer Space (1953) as John Putnam
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Archie Hawkins
- The Golden Blade (1953) as Narrator (voice)
- All I Desire (1953) as Henry Murdoch
- The Magnetic Monster (1953) as Dr. Jeffrey Stewart
- The Maze (1953) as Gerald MacTeam
- Seminole (1953) as Major Degan
- Retreat, Hell! (1952) as Capt. Paul Hansen
- Whispering Smith vs. Scotland Yard (1952) as Steve Smith ("Whispering Smith")
- Flat Top (1952) as Lt. (j.g.) Joe Rodgers
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Josef Lindquist
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Kelly McCall
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Lawrence 'Larry' Cameron
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Alan Mitchell
- Valentino (1951) as William 'Bill' King
- The Blue Veil (1951) as Gerald Kean
- A Millionaire for Christy (1951) as Dr. Roland Cook
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950)
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as John
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Jerry Durrance
- Your Show of Shows (1950)
- King Solomon's Mines (1950) as John Goode
- Jungle Safari (1950) as Himself (archival footage)
- The Sound of Fury (1950) as Gil Stanton
- Lights Out (1949)
- Studio One (1948)
- Studio One (1948) as Harvey Lindfield
- Studio One (1948) as Father
- The Amazing Mr. X (1948) as Martin Abbott
- Behind Locked Doors (1948) as Ross Stewart
- So Well Remembered (1947) as Charles Winslow / Charles Winslow Sr.
- Fury in the Pacific (1945) as Narrator
- Sucker Bait (1943) as Bill - Soldier
- Presenting Lily Mars (1943) as Owen Vail
- For God and Country (1943) as Tom Manning
- Young Ideas (1943) as Tom Farrell
- A Stranger in Town (1943) as Bill Adams
- The Man from Down Under (1943) as Nipper Wilson
- Highways by Night (1942) as Tommy Van Steel
- White Cargo (1942) as Mr. Langford
- The Affairs of Martha (1942) as Jeff Sommerfield
- Fly By Night (1942) as Dr. Geoffrey Burton
- My Heart Belongs to Daddy (1942) as R.I.C. Kay
- Back Street (1941) as Curt Stanton
- Hold That Ghost (1941) as Doctor Jackson
- The Little Foxes (1941) as David Hewitt
- West Point Widow (1941) as Dr. Jimmy Krueger
- The Ghost Breakers (1940) as Geoff Montgomery
- No, No, Nanette (1940) as Tom Gillespie
- The Howards of Virginia (1940) as Thomas Jefferson
- Beyond Tomorrow (1940) as James Houston
- Too Many Girls (1940) as Clint Kelly
- These Glamour Girls (1939) as Joe
- Dancing Co-Ed (1939) as 'Pug' Braddock
- Little Accident (1939) as Perry Allerton
- Winter Carnival (1939) as Professor John Welden
- The Duke of West Point (1938) as John West
- The Young in Heart (1938) as Duncan Macrae
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Richard Carlson best known for?
Richard Carlson is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Due West: Our Sex Journey (2012), The Swiss Family Robinson (1975), The Defector (1966), The Valley of Gwangi (1969).
When and where was Richard Carlson born?
Richard Carlson was born on April 30, 1912 in Albert Lea, Minnesota, USA. They passed away on November 26, 1977.
How many credits does Richard Carlson have?
Richard Carlson has accumulated over 122 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1938 to 2015.
What is Richard Carlson's background in cinema and television?
Richard Dutoit Carlson was an American male performer born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, in April 1912. He pursued a career that encompassed acting, as well as directing and screenwriting for both television and film. Over the course of his professional life he accumulated more than one hundred credited appearances, with a...
Richard Carlson by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Arrest and Trial (1963) as Turner Leigh — aged about 51
- Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964) as Mattson — aged about 52
- Perry Mason (1957) as Anthony Fry — aged about 45
- Perry Mason (1957) as Clete Hawley — aged about 45
- The Fugitive (1963) as Allan Pruitt — aged about 51
- Your Show of Shows (1950) — aged about 38
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