John Qualen
(1899 - 1987)He was Hollywood's stock Scandinavian character actor but could also play just about any other ethnic type imaginable. He was born Johan Mandt Kvalen in Vancouver, British Columbia on December 8, 1899, the son of Norwegian immigrants. His father, a Lutheran minister, changed the spelling of their name to Qualen. John spent his school years in Illinois where he studied oratory and flute. After winning some oratory contests he aspired to a performing career and eventually auditioned for the Broadway stage. His persistence won out and he debuted in "Street Scene" on Broadway in 1929 with Beulah Bondi. This led to a movie version and his film debut in 1931. His wiry frame, knack for dialects and his ability to change his look from one film to the next kept his career on the move. His film career was long and prolific and his credits read like a list of classic films. Among his over 135 film appearances were: "Street Scene" (1931) as Karl Olsen, his film debut; "Fra Diavolo" (1933) with Laurel & Hardy, uncredited as the Bull Owner; "Our Daily Bread" (1934) as Chris; "The Three Musketeers" (1935) as Planchet; "Charlie Chan in Paris" (1935) as Hotel Concierge; "The Farmer Takes A Wife" (1935) as Sol Tinker; "The Country Doctor" (1936) one of his best known roles and the story of the Dionne quintuplets, as Asa Wyatt; "Meet Nero Wolfe" (1936) as Olaf; "His Girl Friday" (1940) with Cary Grant, as Earl Williams; "Grapes of Wrath" (1940) as Muley Graves; "The Long Voyage Home" (1940) as Axel Swanson; "Knute Rockne--All American" (1940) as Lars Knutson Rockne; "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (1941) as Miser Stevens; "Casablanca" (1942) as Berger; "Hans Christian Andersen" (1952) as Burgomaster; "The High and the Mighty" (1954) as Jose Locota; "The Searchers" (1956) as Lars Jorgensen; "Elmer Gantry" (1960) as Storekeeper Sam; "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" (1962) as Peter Ericson; "A Patch of Blue" (1965) as Mr. Faber and "Frasier, the Sensuous Lion" (1973) his last theatrical film. On television he guest starred on many series including: "Mr. Ed"; "Make Room for Daddy"; "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Partridge Family." He also appeared in the TV movie "Getting Away From It All" (1971) as Charlie Erickson. He died on September 12, 1987 of heart failure in Torrance, California.
From Great Character Actors, Page 2.
|
