Tom Fadden
Biography
Tom Fadden was an American actor born on January 6, 1895, in Bayard, Iowa, and he died on April 14, 1980. During his long career, he performed on the legitimate stage, in vaudeville, in films, and on television. His film career spanned almost forty years and encompassed over 90 films, typically in small or supporting roles, alongside occasional starring roles such as in the 1940 film Zanzibar. He made his film debut with a small role in the 1939 film I Stole a Million and followed it with a memorable bit in Destry Rides Again. Director Frank Capra later cast him in the 1961 comedy Pocketful of Miracles. Throughout his career, Fadden accumulated numerous acting credits in film and television before his final acting credit in 1977.
Career overview
Tom Fadden was an American actor born on January 6, 1895, in Bayard, Iowa, and he died on April 14, 1980, at the age of 85. Over the course of his long career, he performed on the legitimate stage, in vaudeville, in films, and on television. His film career spanned almost forty years and encompassed over 90 films, consisting mostly of small or supporting roles, though he did take on an occasional starring role, such as in the 1940 film Zanzibar.
Fadden made his film debut with a small role in the 1939 film I Stole a Million. He secured his first memorable bit in his next film, Destry Rides Again, where he plays a card player in the opening scene who is cheated when the character portrayed by Marlene Dietrich distracts him by spilling coffee in his lap. Capra later remembered Fadden's work and cast him among many of his old cronies for the 1961 Damon Runyon comedy Pocketful of Miracles.
Known on screen as an actor of small roles, Fadden accumulated 101 known acting credits throughout his career. His work extended across various media, leaving a legacy in film and television performance that spanned decades from his early theatrical and vaudeville background through his extensive screen filmography.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
105 titles- Empire of the Ants (1977) as Sam Russell
- Dirty Dingus Magee (1970) as Trooper
- Flareup (1969) as Mr. Willows
- A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966) as Harry Tate (uncredited)
- Green Acres (1965) as Ben Miller
- Daniel Boone (1964) as Sam Cooley
- Petticoat Junction (1963) as Ben Miller
- Temple Houston (1963)
- The Virginian (1962) as McCord
- Mister Ed (1961)
- Pocketful of Miracles (1961) as Herbie (uncredited)
- The Tall Man (1960)
- Flaming Star (1960) as Man #1 at Crossing (uncredited)
- Toby Tyler or Ten Weeks with a Circus (1960) as Uncle Daniel
- The Slowest Gun in the West (1960) as Jedd Slocum
- Bonanza (1959) as Cowboy
- Rawhide (1959) as Circuit Judge Nield
- Edge of Eternity (1959) as Eli Jones
- Lawman (1958) as Livery Operator Cartwright
- The Texan (1958) as Ezekial Waters
- The Texan (1958) as Ezekiel Waters
- Bronco (1958) as Pop Kelly
- Cimarron City (1958) as Silas Perry
- Perry Mason (1957) as Cooper
- Perry Mason (1957) as Beller
- Perry Mason (1957) as Watchman
- Maverick (1957) as Silvan
- Casey Jones (1957) as Seth Griswold
- Baby Face Nelson (1957) as Postman Harkins
- The Hired Man (1957) as Kelly
- State Trooper (1956) as Barnett Collins
- Broken Arrow (1956)
- Broken Arrow (1956) as Milt Duffield
- Hey, Jeannie! (1956) as Proprietor
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) as Uncle Ira Lentz
- Cheyenne (1955) as Sergeant Hogan
- Gunsmoke (1955) as Harley
- The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955) as Duffield
- The Tall Men (1955) as Hank - Livery Stable Owner (uncredited)
- Studio 57 (1954)
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Uncle Daniel
- General Electric Theater (1953)
- Kansas Pacific (1953) as Gus Gustavson the Train Fireman
- Thy Neighbor's Wife (1953) as Honza Kratky
- Four Star Playhouse (1952) as Owen
- The Lawless Breed (1952) as Chick Noonan - Undertaker
- Toughest Man in Arizona (1952)
- Vengeance Valley (1951) as Obie Rune (uncredited)
- Drums in the Deep South (1951) as Purdy
- Singing Guns (1950) as Express Agent
- Devil's Doorway (1950) as Bob Trammell (uncredited)
- State of the Union (1948) as Waiter
- Raw Deal (1948)
- Panhandle (1948) as Mac - Horse Seller (uncredited)
- Whispering Smith (1948) as Telegrapher at Coyete Creek (uncredited)
- Moonrise (1948) as Homer Blackstone
- The Inside Story (1948) as Ab Follansbee
- The Hunted (1948) as Bus Passenger
- Dark Passage (1947) as Diner Counterman Serving Parry (uncredited)
- California (1947) as Stranger (uncredited)
- Pursued (1947) as The Minister (uncredited)
- The Judge Steps Out (1947) as Sheriff (uncredited)
- Cheyenne (1947) as Charlie
- That Hagen Girl (1947) as Village Loafer
- Dragnet (1947) as Amos Wright
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Tollhouse Keeper (uncredited)
- The Big Sleep (1946) as Sidney (uncredited)
- Dragonwyck (1946) as Otto Gebhardt (uncredited)
- The Well Groomed Bride (1946) as Justice of the Peace
- The Naughty Nineties (1945) as Wounded Gambler (uncredited)
- Murder, He Says (1945) as Sheriff Murdock (uncredited)
- The Royal Mounted Rides Again (1945) as 'Lode' MacKenzie
- A Medal for Benny (1945) as Eddie Krinch (uncredited)
- Trail to Vengeance (1945) as Horace Glumm
- The Thin Man Goes Home (1944) as Train Passenger in Passageway (uncredited)
- Tomorrow, the World! (1944) as Mr. Clyde - Mailman (uncredited)
- The Hairy Ape (1944) as Long
- In Society (1944) as Fire Chief (uncredited)
- Henry Aldrich's Little Secret (1944) as Mr. Luther
- Edge of Darkness (1943) as Hammer
- Northern Pursuit (1943) as Hobby (uncredited)
- A Lady Takes a Chance (1943) as Mullen
- The Good Fellows (1943) as Harvey
- The Glass Key (1942) as Basement Club Waiter (uncredited)
- Wings for the Eagle (1942) as Tom 'Cyclone' Shaw
- Sundown Jim (1942) as Stagecoach Driver
- The Remarkable Andrew (1942) as Jake Pearl
- Pardon My Sarong (1942) as Sven (uncredited)
- My Favorite Blonde (1942) as Tom Douglas
- The Night Before the Divorce (1942) as Capt. Walt
- Blondie Goes to College (1942) as Mr. Dill's Brother
- Lone Star Ranger (1942) as Sam
- Fall In (1942) as Zeb Hatfield
- The Shepherd of the Hills (1941) as Jim Lane
- Come Live with Me (1941) as Charlie Gephardt (uncredited)
- When the Daltons Rode (1940) as Townsman
- The Howards of Virginia (1940) as Backwoodsman
- The Captain is a Lady (1940) as Pucey Kintner
- Congo Maisie (1940) as Nelson
- Winners of the West (1940) as Tex Houston
- Zanzibar (1940) as Rhad Ramsey
- Destry Rides Again (1939) as Lem Claggett
- I Stole a Million (1939) as Verne
- Hard to Get (1938) as Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
- Held For Ransom (1938) as Jalopy Driver
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Tom Fadden best known for?
Tom Fadden is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Empire of the Ants (1977), Dirty Dingus Magee (1970), Flareup (1969), A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966).
When and where was Tom Fadden born?
Tom Fadden was born on January 6, 1895 in Bayard, Iowa, USA. They passed away on April 14, 1980.
How many credits does Tom Fadden have?
Tom Fadden has accumulated over 105 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1938 to 1977.
What is Tom Fadden's background in cinema and television?
Tom Fadden was an American actor born on January 6, 1895, in Bayard, Iowa, and he died on April 14, 1980. During his long career, he performed on the legitimate stage, in vaudeville, in films, and on television. His film career spanned almost forty years and encompassed over 90 films, typically in small or supporting r...
Tom Fadden by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as Tollhouse Keeper (uncredited) — aged about 51
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) as Uncle Daniel — aged about 59
- Perry Mason (1957) as Cooper — aged about 62
- Perry Mason (1957) as Beller — aged about 62
- Perry Mason (1957) as Watchman — aged about 62
- The Big Sleep (1946) as Sidney (uncredited) — aged about 51
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