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29-414: Joe Bell (John Garfield) becomes embittered after he is jailed for 16 months for a burglary he did not commit. Later, while riding in a boxcar with two brothers, he gets into a fight with a robber (played by an uncredited Ward Bond ) and is sentenced to a work farm for 90 days. There, he becomes friends with Mabel Alden ( Priscilla Lane ), which displeases Charles Garreth ( Stanley Ridges ), her stepfather and

58-487: A Wonderful Life and Riding High for Capra. Among his other well-known films were Bringing Up Baby (1938), Gone with the Wind (1939), The Maltese Falcon (1941), Sergeant York (1941), Gentleman Jim (1942), Joan of Arc (1948), Rio Bravo (1959), and Raoul Walsh 's 1930 widescreen wagon train epic The Big Trail , which also featured John Wayne, in his first leading role. Bond later starred in

87-460: A Wonderful Life (1946), The Quiet Man (1952), and Mister Roberts (1955). Bond starred in 23 films with John Wayne: Bond married Doris Sellers Childs in 1936, but they divorced in 1944. In 1954, he married Mary Louise Meyers, and they remained together until his death in November 1960. Bond was an early and virulent anti–communist . Bond suffered a massive heart attack while at

116-489: A distinctive and important supporting role. In another sense, a character actor may also be one who specializes in minor roles. A character actor may play a variety of characters in their career, often referred to as a "chameleon", or may be known for playing the same type of roles. Character actor roles are more substantial than bit parts or non-speaking extras . The term is used primarily to describe television and film actors, as opposed to theater actors. An early use of

145-544: A hotel in Dallas with his wife. He was pronounced dead at a hospital on November 5, 1960, at the age of 57. His close friend John Wayne delivered the eulogy at his funeral. Bond's will bequeathed to Wayne the shotgun with which Wayne had once accidentally shot Bond on a hunting trip. Country singer Johnny Horton was killed in an auto accident in Texas the same day that Ward Bond died, and a baseless urban legend arose that Horton

174-787: A particular part or in a certain genre, such that the actor becomes so strongly identified with a particular type of role that casting directors and theatrical agents steer the actor to similar roles. Some character actors are known as "chameleons", able to play roles that vary wildly, such as Gary Oldman and Christian Bale . Many character actors tend to play the same type of role throughout their careers, like Harvey Keitel as tough, determined characters; Christopher Lloyd as eccentrics; Claude Rains as sophisticated, sometimes morally ambiguous men; Abe Vigoda as aging criminals; Fairuza Balk as moody goth girls; Doug Jones as non-human creatures; and Forest Whitaker as composed characters with underlying volatility. Ed Lauter usually portrayed

203-403: A welcome mitigation of the theme's austerity through the injection of a vein of comedy and romance without detracting one whit from the strength of the feature, which is entertainment from start to finish and for all ages and classes... John Garfield was never better than in the part of a homeless youngster struggling against almost insurmountable odds for his place in the sun, while his performance

232-415: Is challenged all the way in an equally splendid portrayal by Priscilla Lane... Masterfully directed by Lewis Seiler". Variety reviewed, "Although story is overlong and episodic, these deficiencies are partially overcome by excellent performances of Garfield and Miss Lane. Garfield has a role particularly tailored to general typing of recent film portrayals, and which will enhance his popularity. Miss Lane

261-459: Is competently sincere throughout, with several dramatic scenes rising far above the material provided... Yarn is slow in generating interest, and rather static in several spots, but there are other dramatic high spots to make it acceptable on the whole". The Los Angeles Times wrote, "John Garfield and Priscilla Lane, who truly go to town with their acting together, have the leads. Their courtroom scenes are eminently fine, and moving... The picture

290-485: Is not satisfactory at the outset, but reaches an excellent climax". Mae Tinee of the Chicago Daily Tribune wrote, "In many places it is sincere, workmanlike and credible production. At other times it's just ten, twent' thirt'--and ham. But the leads are so likable and some of the suspense so suspenseful that I think you'll chalk up Dust Be My Destiny as satisfactory entertainment". Frank S. Nugent of

319-521: The New York Times reviewed it as the "latest of the [Warner] Brothers' apparently interminable line of melodramas about the fate-dogged boys from the wrong side of the railroad tracks. Considering the practice they have had, it's not at all surprising that the picture goes its way smoothly, never missing a dramatic cue, a pause for laughter, a perfectly timed spurt of action when the utter futility of it all begins to grow too utterly utter If that's

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348-627: The Colorado School of Mines and then attended the University of Southern California and played football on the same team with future USC coach Jess Hill . At 6'2" and 195 pounds, Bond was a starting lineman on USC's first national-championship team in 1928 . He graduated from USC in 1931 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering. Bond and John Wayne , who had played tackle for USC in 1926 before an injury ended his career, became lifelong friends and colleagues. Bond, Wayne and

377-650: The Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals , whose major platform was opposition to communists in the film industry. On the American Film Institute 's "100 Years... 100 Movies" list—both the original and the tenth anniversary edition— Bond appears in the casts more often than any other actor, albeit always in a supporting role: It Happened One Night (1934), Bringing Up Baby (1938), Gone with

406-566: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City . Bibliography Character actor A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric or interesting characters in supporting roles , rather than leading ones. The term is somewhat abstract and open to interpretation. While all actors play "characters", the term character actor is often applied to an actor who frequently plays

435-454: The love interest , a character actor typically does not. In fact, some character actors are known for their unusual looks. For example, Chicago character actor William Schutz's face was disfigured in a car accident when he was five years old, but his appearance after reconstructive surgery helped him to be distinctive to theater audiences. Generally, the names of character actors are not featured prominently in movie and television advertising on

464-408: The marquee , since a character actor's name is not expected to attract film audiences. Some character actors have been described as instantly recognizable despite their names being little known. They are colloquially referred to as "that guy", or "that guy" actors, as in the 2014 documentary That Guy Dick Miller ; with a prime example of a "that guy" actor being John Carroll Lynch . Over

493-588: The Wind (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Maltese Falcon (1941), It's a Wonderful Life (1946), and The Searchers (1956). Bond appeared in 13 films that were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture : Arrowsmith (1931/32), Lady for a Day (1933), It Happened One Night (1934) Dead End (1937), You Can't Take It with You (1938), Gone with the Wind (1939), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Long Voyage Home (1940), The Maltese Falcon (1941), Sergeant York (1941), It's

522-786: The cop in Frank Capra 's It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and Captain Clayton in John Ford 's The Searchers (1956). As a character actor, Bond frequently played cowboys, cops and soldiers. Bond was born in Benkelman in Dundy County, Nebraska . The Bond family, John W., Mabel L. and sister Bernice, lived in Benkelman until 1919 when they moved to Denver , Colorado, where Bond graduated from East High School . Bond attended

551-477: The course of an acting career, an actor can sometimes shift between leading roles and supporting roles. Some leading actors, as they get older, find that access to leading roles is limited by their age. Sometimes character actors have developed careers based on specific talents needed in genre films, such as dancing, horsemanship, acrobatics, swimming ability, or boxing. Many up-and-coming actors find themselves typecast in character roles due to an early success with

580-471: The entire USC team were hired to appear in Salute (1929), a football film starring George O'Brien and directed by John Ford . During filming, Bond and Wayne befriended Ford, who would later direct them in several films. Bond made his screen debut in Salute and thereafter was a busy character actor, playing over 200 supporting roles. He appeared in 31 films released in 1935 and 23 in 1939. Rarely playing

609-417: The farm's foreman. The two men fight, and Joe knocks Garreth out. Panicking, the young couple flee and get married, only to learn that Garreth has died and that Joe is wanted for his murder. the two then flee over the state line. Unaware that Joe has be charged with Garreth's death they agree to a stage show marriage complete with a house rent free for the first month and fully furnished. Before they can collect

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638-557: The lead in theatrical films, he starred in the television series Wagon Train from 1957 until his death in 1960. He was frequently typecast in extremes, as either a friendly lawman or a brutal henchman. He had a longtime working relationship with directors John Ford and Frank Capra , performing in such films as The Searchers , Drums Along the Mohawk , The Quiet Man , They Were Expendable and Fort Apache for Ford, with whom he made 25 films, and It Happened One Night , It's

667-576: The measure of success, the Warners can chalk up another. Personally, we're tired of the formula. It's not even fun, any more, outguessing the script". Ward Bond Wardell Edwin Bond (April 9, 1903 – November 5, 1960) was an American character actor who appeared in more than 200 films and starred in the NBC television series Wagon Train from 1957 to 1960. Among his best-remembered roles are Bert

696-451: The move to avoid capture, Joe finally gets a break. He is in the right spot to take pictures of a bank robbery in progress. He uses them to get a job as a photographer at a newspaper run by Mike Leonard ( Alan Hale, Sr. ). When the leader of the outfit tries to get the negatives, Joe saves Mike's life. Unfortunately, his own picture is put on the front page of various newspapers as a result. Joe tries to flee once more, but Mabel turns him in to

725-452: The police, convinced that running away is the wrong thing to do. At the trial, despite a parade of character witnesses in Joe's favor, the prosecutor ( John Litel ) seems to have the upper hand. Defense attorney Slim Jones ( Moroni Olsen ) calls Mabel to the stand. She convinces the jury to declare her husband innocent. Boxoffice wrote that the film was "an adroitly wrought screenplay provides

754-403: The popular series Wagon Train from 1957 until his death. Wagon Train was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master , in which Bond also appeared. Wagon Master was influenced by the earlier The Big Trail . For Wagon Train , Bond was assigned the lead role of the crusty but compassionate Major Seth Adams, the trail master. During the 1940s, Bond was a member of the conservative group called

783-423: The prize they hear on the radio about the manhunt for Joe and flee the theater. They go to another town and eat a meal from Nick who takes pity on them and gives them a job in his restaurant. Seemly doing well they are not aware that the local police who frequent the restaurant have gotten suspicious of them. Joe gets away but Mabel is arrested. Joe with Nick's help stages a jailbreak and frees Mable Constantly on

812-445: The term was in the 1883 edition of The Stage , which defined a character actor as "one who portrays individualities and eccentricities". Actors with a long career history of playing character roles may be difficult for audiences to recognize as being the same actor. In contrast to leading actors , they are generally seen as less glamorous. While a leading actor often has the physical attractiveness considered necessary to play

841-624: Was on his way to Dallas to meet Bond who was to offer Horton a role on Wagon Train. There was no truth to the rumor. Bond was in Dallas to attend a football game at the Cotton Bowl . For his contribution to the television industry, Bond has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6933 Hollywood Boulevard. It was dedicated on February 8, 1960. In 2001, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at

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