Stanley Andrews
(1891 - 1969)He was a star of the early days of television appearing as the beloved 'Old Ranger' on "Death Valley Days." He preceded Ronald Reagan, Robert Taylor and Dale Robertson as host. It was his friendly face and grandfatherly demeanor that was so endearing to fans of that generation. He was a tall, stout, stocky man with a neatly groomed mustache on a craggy, but kindly face and he had a very deep but mellow voice that was most soothing. He was born STANISLAW ANDRZEJEWSKI in Chicago, Illinois on August 28, 1891 and was raised in the Midwest. Little is known of his early years, but he had been acting from his young adult years on stage and later in radio. On radio he starred as 'Daddy Warbucks' on the "Little Orphan Annie" show from 1931-36. He appeared in over 250 films and was just as successful on TV. His film credits include: "Roman Scandals" (1933) with Eddie Cantor, uncredited as an Official, his film debut; "All the King's Horses" (1934) as Count Batthy; "Escape From Devil's Island" (1935) as Steve; "Curly Top" (1935) with Shirley Temple, in a Bit Part; "People Will Talk" (1935) as Willis McBride; "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936) uncredited as James Cedar; "High, Wide and Handsome" (1937) as Lem Moulton; "The Lone Ranger" (1938) with Lee Powell in the title role, as Jeffries; "Kentucky" (1938) as Presiding Judge; "Blondie" (1938) as Mr. Hicks; "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever" (1939) as James Willet; "Beau Geste" (1939) as Maris, a terrific film; "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" (1939) uncredited as Sen. Hodges; "Maryland" (1940) as Doctor; "Brigham Young - Frontiersman" (1940) as Hyrum Smith; "In Old Colorado" (1941) as George Davidson; "Meet John Doe" (1941) as Weston; "My Gal Sal" (1942) as Mr. Dreiser; "The Ox-Bow Incident" (1943) uncredited as Bartlett; "The Princess and the Pirate" (1944) as Captain of the Mary Ann; "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) uncredited but very memorable as Mr. Welch; "Road to Rio" (1947) as Captain Harmon; "The Fuller Brush Man" (1948) as Detective Ferguson; "The Paleface" (1948) with Bob Hope, as Commissioner Emerson; "Two Flags West" (1950) as Col. Hoffman; "Mule Train" (1950) as Chalmers; "Al Jennings of Oklahoma" (1951) as Marshal Slattery; "Superman and the Mole Men" (1951) with George Reeves, as The Sheriff; "The Lemon Drop Kid" (1951) as Judge; "Montana Belle" (1952) as Marshal Combs and "Cry Terror!" (1958) uncredited as Older Executive, his final theatrical film role. On TV he starred on "Death Valley Days" (1952-65) as the Old Ranger and he appeared in a TV movie "Missile Base at Taniak" (1966) his last role. He guest starred on such TV series as: "The Adventures of Superman"; "Range Rider"; "The Lone Ranger"; "The Cisco Kid"; "Annie Oakley"; "Buffalo Bill Jr."; "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin"; "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok"; "Circus Boy"; "26 Men" and "Maverick." He died on June 23, 1969 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 77.
From Great Character Actors, Page 6.
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