Eddie Acuff
Eddie Acuff | |
---|---|
Born | Edward DeKalb Acuff June 3, 1903 Caruthersville, Missouri, U.S. |
Died | December 17, 1956 Hollywood, California, U.S. | (aged 53)
Resting place | Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1932–1952 |
Edward DeKalb Acuff (June 3, 1903 – December 17, 1956) was an American stage and film actor. He frequently was cast as a droll comic relief, in the support of the star. His best-known recurring role is that of Mr. Beasley, the postman, in the Blondie movie series that starred Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake.[1]
Early years
[edit]Acuff was born in Caruthersville, Missouri.[2] He was the son of DeKalb Acuff (1880-1916)[3] and his wife Grace (later known as Mrs. H. N. Arnold),.[4]
Career
[edit]Before beginning his Hollywood film career in 1934, Acuff performed in Broadway theatre in the early-1930s. His Broadway credits include Jayhawker (1934), Yellow Jack (1934), John Brown (1934), Growing Pains (1933), Heat Lightning (1933), and The Dark Hours (1932).[5]
In 1935, Warner Bros. signed Acuff to a long-term contract and scheduled him to debut on film in Anchors Aweigh.[6] He had a recurring role as the postman in the Blondie film series.[7] Acuff was seen in three film serials — as Curly in Jungle Girl, as Red Kelly in Daredevils of the West, and as Spud Warner in Chick Carter Detective.[8]
Death
[edit]On December 17, 1956, Acuff died of a heart attack[2] in Hollywood, California. He is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery.[9]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1934 | Here Comes the Navy | Marine Orderly | Uncredited |
1935 | Mr. Widget | Short Film; uncredited | |
Shipmates Forever | Lincoln 'Cowboy' | ||
I Found Stella Parish | Dimmie | ||
Miss Pacific Fleet | Clarence 'Dutch' | ||
1936 | The Petrified Forest | Lineman | |
The Walking Dead | Betcha | ||
Boulder Dam | Ed Harper | ||
Colleen | Uncredited | ||
The Law in Her Hands | Eddie O'Malley | ||
The Golden Arrow | Davis | ||
Crash Donovan | Alabam | ||
Jailbreak | Sig Patton | ||
The Case of the Velvet Claws | Spudsy Drake | ||
Yellowstone | Desk Clerk | Uncredited | |
Laughing at Trouble | Jamie Bradford | Credited as Edward Acuff | |
Let's Make a Million | Uncredited | ||
1937 | Guns of the Pecos | Ranger Jeff Carter | |
Black Legion | Metcalf | ||
The Outer Gate | Todd Shannon | Credited as Edward Acuff | |
The Go Getter | Bob Blair | ||
What Price Vengeance | Tex McGirk | ||
The Singing Marine | Sam | ||
They Won't Forget | Drugstore Clerk | ||
Talent Scout | Musselman - Writer | Uncredited | |
Back in Circulation | Murphy | ||
Love Is on the Air | 'Dunk' Glover | ||
Missing Witnesses | Detective Pete | Uncredited | |
She Loved a Fireman | Skillet Michaels | ||
Hollywood Hotel | Cameraman | ||
1938 | The Invisible Menace | Corporal Sanger | |
Law of the Underworld | Bill | ||
Gangs of New York | Motorist | Uncredited | |
Ladies in Distress | Horace - First Thug | ||
Young Fugitives | Loafer | Uncredited | |
The Chaser | Photographer | Uncredited | |
Smashing the Rackets | Joe - Hoodlum | Credited as Edward Acuff | |
Four Daughters | Sam | ||
Youth Takes a Fling | Bum | ||
King of Alcatraz | Steward | Uncredited | |
How to Watch Football | Yelling Fan Next to Benchley | Short Film; uncredited | |
Rhythm of the Saddle | Dixie Erwin | ||
The Cowboy and the Lady | Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
His Exciting Night | Reporter | Uncredited | |
Next Time I Marry | Gas Station Attendant | Uncredited | |
Road Demon | Smitty | Uncredited | |
Ride a Crooked Mile | Airplane Pilot | Uncredited | |
1939 | Fighting Thoroughbreds | Uncredited | |
The Phantom Creeps | Mac - AMI Agent | ||
The Mysterious Miss X | Pete - Policeman | ||
Ambush | Bus Conductor | Uncredited | |
Wings of the Navy | Reporter | Uncredited | |
Persons in Hiding | Collins | Uncredited | |
High Peril | Short Film | ||
Society Smugglers | Radio Technician | ||
Blondie Meets the Boss | Pots and Pans Peddler | Uncredited | |
Rough Riders' Round-up | Tommy Ward | ||
Winner Take All | Second | Uncredited | |
Blind Alley | State Trooper Stopping Fred | Uncredited | |
Help Wanted | Workman | Short Film; uncredited | |
The Cowboy Quarterback | Airplane Pilot | ||
Miracles for Sale | Second Taxi Driver | Uncredited | |
When Tomorrow Comes | Second Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
Flight at Midnight | Stubby - Passenger Plane Pilot | Uncredited | |
Two Bright Boys | Washburn | ||
Espionage Agent | Uncredited | ||
Hero for a Day | Eddie Gibbons | Uncredited | |
On Dress Parade | Fort Lewis Sergeant | Uncredited | |
The Roaring Twenties | Cabbie | Uncredited | |
Too Busy to Work | Stage Manager | ||
Meet Dr. Christian | Benson | ||
Days of Jesse James | Train Conductor | Uncredited | |
Lawyer Woman | |||
Backfire | |||
1940 | Oh, Johnny, How You Can Love! | Motorcycle Cop | Uncredited |
Cafe Hostess | Scotty | ||
Honeymoon Deferred | Cab Driver | Uncredited | |
Castle on the Hudson | Bill | Uncredited | |
Charlie Chan in Panama | Sailor | Uncredited | |
Ma! He's Making Eyes at Me | Counter Man | Uncredited | |
It's a Date | Ship's Steward | Uncredited | |
Star Dust | Mike, Dallas Stagehand | Uncredited | |
Shooting High | Andy Carson | ||
Enemy Agent | Federal Agent Posing as Drunk | Uncredited | |
Buck Benny Rides Again | Truck Driver | Uncredited | |
Flight Angels | Mechanic with Apple | Uncredited | |
Sailor's Lady | Guide | ||
Manhattan Heartbeat | First Mechanic | Uncredited | |
Girls of the Road | Bartley - Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
They Drive by Night | Driver in Café | Uncredited | |
The Boys from Syracuse | Taxi Cab Driver | ||
The Secret Seven | Driver | Uncredited | |
Money and the Woman | Mr. Jones | Uncredited | |
Flowing Gold | Shorty Smith | Uncredited | |
Dr. Kildare Goes Home | Clifford Genet - Orderly | Uncredited | |
Spring Parade | Earl | Uncredited | |
So You Won't Talk | Lounger | Uncredited | |
The Villain Still Pursued Her | Joe | Uncredited | |
Slightly Tempted | Hartman - Policeman | Uncredited | |
One Night in the Tropics | First S.S. Atlantica Steward | Uncredited | |
Gallant Sons | Taxi Driver | Scenes deleted | |
The Bank Dick | Reporter | Uncredited | |
Dr. Kildare's Crisis | Clifford Genet - Window Cleaner | Uncredited | |
The Border Legion | Ticket Agent | Uncredited | |
Texas Rangers Ride Again | Bud - Ranger Stenographer | Uncredited | |
The Green Hornet Strikes Again! | Lowery - a Reporter | ||
1941 | Robin Hood of the Pecos | Sam Starr | |
Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga | Steward | ||
High Sierra | Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
Arkansas Judge | Townsman | Uncredited | |
Back Street | Andy | Uncredited | |
Ride, Kelly, Ride | Roy Wall | Uncredited | |
Blondie Goes Latin | Cab Driver | Uncredited | |
The Great Train Robbery | Telegrapher | Uncredited | |
Here Comes Happiness | Bill | ||
Dutiful But Dumb | Headquarters Guard - Right of Door | Short film; uncredited | |
Mr. District Attorney | Cabbie | Uncredited | |
Model Wife | Undetermined Role | Uncredited | |
The Wagons Roll at Night | Pickpocket Victim | Uncredited | |
The People vs. Dr. Kildare | Clifford Genet | ||
The Great American Broadcast | Jimmy | ||
Broadway Limited | Engineer's Assistant | Uncredited | |
Jungle Girl | Curly Rogers | ||
A Very Young Lady | Sheriff Bill Stone | Uncredited | |
Bad Men of Missouri | Peg Leg | Uncredited | |
Rags to Riches | Ace | ||
Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day | Clifford Genet - Orderly | Uncredited | |
Bad Man of Deadwood | Reporter of Burns' Death | Uncredited | |
They Died with Their Boots On | Cpl. Smith | Uncredited | |
Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case | Hypo | ||
Hellzapoppin' | Drafted Devil | Uncredited | |
1942 | Fly-by-Night | Garage Attendant | Uncredited |
Dr. Kildare's Victory | Clifford Genet | ||
The Lady Is Willing | Patrolman Murphy | Uncredited | |
What's Cookin' | Doorman | Uncredited | |
Sleepytime Gal | First Mug | Uncredited | |
Sing Your Worries Away | Tour Map Seller | Uncredited | |
True to the Army | Sgt. Riggs | ||
Who Is Hope Schuyler? | Arthur Guerney | Uncredited | |
Mississippi Gambler | Everett - Desk Clerk | ||
Take a Letter, Darling | Man Who Picks Teeth | Uncredited | |
In This Our Life | Worker | Uncredited | |
She's in the Army | Pete | ||
Private Buckaroo | Waiter Captain | Uncredited | |
Yankee Doodle Dandy | Reporter | Uncredited | |
The Postman Didn't Ring | Photographer | Uncredited | |
Calling Dr. Gillespie | Clifford Genet | ||
Timber! | Man | Uncredited | |
Blondie for Victory | Husband Whose Wife Knits Socks | Uncredited | |
Pardon My Sarong | Wise Guy at Gas Station | Uncredited | |
The Old Homestead | Policeman | Uncredited | |
Bells of Capistrano | Mug / Sign-Poster #1 | Uncredited | |
The War Against Mrs. Hadley | Soldier in Canteen | Uncredited | |
Girl Trouble | Taxi Driver | Uncredited | |
Youth on Parade | Cop | Uncredited | |
Army Surgeon | Sergeant | Uncredited | |
Fall In | Sgt. Topps | Uncredited | |
Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant | Clifford Genet | ||
The Traitor Within | Tommy | ||
1943 | Slightly Dangerous | Soda Jerk | Uncredited |
He Hired the Boss | Driver | Uncredited | |
Good Morning, Judge | Cab Driver | Uncredited | |
Daredevils of the West | Red Kelly | ||
Pilot #5 | Newsreel Cameraman | Uncredited | |
Hers to Hold | Reporter | Uncredited | |
Headin' for God's Country | Hugo Higgins | ||
Guadalcanal Diary | Pvt. Tex McIlvoy | Uncredited | |
Flesh and Fantasy | Cop | Uncredited | |
Swingtime Johnny | Worker | Uncredited | |
Lost Angel | Policeman | Uncredited | |
1944 | Week-End Pass | Waikowsky | |
Hat Check Honey | Cameraman | Uncredited | |
Four Jills in a Jeep | Sentry | Scenes deleted | |
It Happened Tomorrow | Jim | ||
Hey, Rookie | Jokester | Uncredited | |
Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble | Taxi Driver #1 | Uncredited | |
Once Upon a Time | Shipyard Worker | Uncredited | |
Silent Partner | Taxicab Driver | Uncredited | |
South of Dixie | Jay Hatcher | ||
Christmas Holiday | Steve | Uncredited | |
Bride by Mistake | Photographer | Uncredited | |
Wing and a Prayer | Pharmacist's Mate | Uncredited | |
I Love a Soldier | Private | Uncredited | |
Rainbow Island | Sailor | Uncredited | |
In the Meantime, Darling | Milkman | Uncredited | |
Irish Eyes Are Smiling | Harry | Uncredited | |
Something for the Boys | Blue Army Radio Operator | Uncredited | |
Sergeant Mike | Monohan | Uncredited | |
Carolina Blues | Eddie | Uncredited | |
Can't Help Singing | Cavalry Officer | Uncredited | |
Belle of the Yukon | Miner | Uncredited | |
1945 | She Gets Her Man | Boze - Photographer | |
Roughly Speaking | Billiards Player | Uncredited | |
Her Lucky Night | Chauffeur | ||
Leave It to Blondie | Mailman | Uncredited | |
Without Love | Taxi Driver | Uncredited | |
The Clock | First Subway Official | Uncredited | |
Between Two Women | Orderly | ||
Brewster's Millions | Cab Driver | Uncredited | |
Diamond Horseshoe | Clarinet Player | Uncredited | |
Honeymoon Ahead | Connors | ||
Wonder Man | Pelican Club Doorman | Uncredited | |
Flame of Barbary Coast | Fireman | Uncredited | |
The Frozen Ghost | Reporter in Hallway | Uncredited | |
Don Juan Quilligan | Customer at Mossrock's | Uncredited | |
The Jungle Captive | Bill | ||
On Stage Everybody | George | Uncredited | |
The Hidden Eye | Whitey | ||
Shadow of Terror | Joe Walters | ||
Life with Blondie | Mailman | Uncredited | |
San Antonio | Gawking Townsman | Uncredited | |
1946 | Meet Me on Broadway | Waiter | Uncredited |
The Notorious Lone Wolf | Detective Jones | Uncredited | |
The Flying Serpent | Jerry 'Jonsey' Jones | ||
Cinderella Jones | Truck Driver | Uncredited | |
Renegades | Stagecoach Driver | Uncredited | |
Blonde Alibi | Ambulance Attendant | Uncredited | |
Bad Bascomb | Corporal Finch | Uncredited | |
Inside Job | Jerry | Uncredited | |
Chick Carter, Detective | Spud Warner | ||
Danger Woman | Reporter | Uncredited | |
The Bamboo Blonde | M.P. Sergeant | Uncredited | |
Three Little Girls in Blue | Josh | Uncredited | |
Wake Up and Dream | Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
Gallant Bess | Chief Petty Officer | Uncredited | |
Heldorado | Carnival Shooting Gallery Attendant | ||
Lady in the Lake | Ed - Coroner | Uncredited | |
1947 | Blondie's Big Moment | Mailman | Uncredited |
The Sea of Grass | Cattleman | Uncredited | |
Suddenly, It's Spring | Man Retrieving Pajamas | Uncredited | |
Buck Privates Come Home | Soldier | Uncredited | |
Blondie's Holiday | Postman | ||
Bells of San Angelo | Bus Driver | ||
Swing the Western Way | Mr. Spraggs | ||
Wyoming | Nester | Uncredited | |
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty | Wells Fargo Cowboy | Uncredited | |
Down to Earth | Stage Hand | Uncredited | |
Exposed | Policeman at Bentry Mansion Door | Uncredited | |
Black Gold | Colonel Caldwell's Ranch Foreman | Uncredited | |
Blondie in the Dough | Postman | ||
The Fabulous Texan | Telegrapher | Uncredited | |
Roses Are Red | Reporter | Uncredited | |
Bandits of Dark Canyon | Stage Passenger Faraday | ||
Blondie's Anniversary | Mailman | Uncredited | |
1948 | Slippy McGee | Charlie | |
G-Men Never Forget | 'Fiddler' - Used Car Salesman | ||
Black Bart | Elkins | Uncredited | |
Song of Idaho | Hash Brown | ||
Blondie's Reward | Mr. Johnson | ||
The Timber Trail | Telegraph Operator | ||
Coroner Creek | Bit | Uncredited | |
Northwest Stampede | Hamburger Vendor | Uncredited | |
The Return of October | Stable Boy | Uncredited | |
Leather Gloves | Duke | ||
Bungalow 13 | José Fernando | ||
Smoky Mountain Melody | Jenkins | ||
Blondie's Secret | Mr. Beasley | ||
1949 | Blondie's Big Deal | Mr. Beasley | |
Home in San Antone | Postman | Uncredited | |
Johnny Allegro | Sam | Uncredited | |
Miss Grant Takes Richmond | Bus Driver | Uncredited | |
1950 | The Milkman | Herman Schultz | Uncredited |
1951 | Painting the Clouds with Sunshine | Golden Egg Doorman | Uncredited |
1952 | Stop, You're Killing Me | Cab Driver | Uncredited; final role |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1950 | The Lone Ranger | Sheriff | Episode: "Sheep Thieves" |
References
[edit]- ^ "Day's Best Hollywood Story". Toledo Blade. January 12, 1948. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Mayer, Geoff (2017). Encyclopedia of American Film Serials. McFarland. p. 26. ISBN 9780786477623. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
- ^ Obituary: DeKalb Acuff, The Pemiscot Argus, Caruthersville, MO., p. 6, 24 Feb. 1916
- ^ "Eddie Acuff in picture Sun.-Mon". Caruthersville Journal. Missouri, Caruthersville. July 1, 1937. p. 4. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eddie Acuff". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on December 26, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
- ^ Percy, Eileen (June 4, 1935). "Warners Sign Stage Comic". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. p. 8. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eddie Acuff Returns As Postman in 'Blondie' Series". The Owensboro Messenger. Kentucky, Owensboro. August 22, 1948. p. 15. Retrieved January 2, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Cline, William C. (1997). In the Nick of Time: Motion Picture Sound Serials. McFarland. p. 100. ISBN 9780786404711. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
- ^ Resting Places: The Burial Places of 14,000 Famous Persons, by Scott Wilson
External links
[edit]- Eddie Acuff at the Internet Broadway Database
- Eddie Acuff at IMDb
- Eddie Acuff at AllMovie