Ward Bond
(1903 - 1960)Another of the rugged, burly Irish school of character actors he was a popular actor throughout his long career. Fair haired, with a square jaw, intense blue eyes and a neatly groomed mustache, he was most often cast as a cop, a western character, a military officer, buddy of the hero or similar type roles. He was born Wardell Bond in Benkelman, Nebraska on April 9, 1903. After graduating high school he received a football scholarship to USC (University of Southern California) where he earned a degree in engineering. One of his friends on the USC football team was John Wayne and both were discovered and recruited by director John Ford to work as extras in his film "Salute" (1928); the three became lifelong friends. He would later become a member of John Wayne's repertory company of film "buddies." After graduation from college he signed with Columbia Studios and began his long career in acting. Initially he played heavies and villains but later turned to more likable roles. Among his impressive list of over 240 film credits are: "Salute" (1928) as Midshipman, his film debut; "The Big Trail" (1930) an interesting early film of John Wayne's, as Sid Bascomb; "It Happened One Night" (1934) uncredited as Bus Driver; "The Crimson Trail" (1935) as Luke Long; "Pride of the Marines" (1936) as Gunner Brady; "Dead End" (1937) as a Doorman; "Bringing Up Baby" (1938) as Cop; "Professor Beware" (1938) as Motorcycle Cop; "Young Mr. Lincoln" (1939) as John Palmer Cass; "Drums Along the Mohawk" (1939) as Adam Helmer; "Dodge City" (1939) as Bud Taylor; "The Oklahoma Kid" (1939) as Wes Handley; "Gone With the Wind" (1939) as Tom, a Yankee Captain; "Virginia City" (1940) uncredited, as CSA Sgt. Checking Passengers; "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940) as a Policeman; "Sergeant York" (1941) as Ike Botkin; "The Maltese Falcon" (1941) as Detective Tom Polhaus; "Gentleman Jim" (1942) with Errol Flynn, as John L. Sullivan; "The Fighting Sullivans" (1944) as Lieutenant; my personal favorite of his roles, "It's A Wonderful Life" (1946) as Bert; "Unconquered" (1947) as John Fraser; "The Quiet Man" (1952) as Father Peter Lonergan, the Narrator; "Hondo" (1953) as Buffalo Baker; "Mister Roberts" (1955) as CPO Dawdy; "The Searchers" (1956) as Rev. Capt. Samuel Johnson; "Alias Jesse James" (1959) with Bob Hope, as Maj. Seth Adams, his role from Wagon Train and "Rio Bravo" (1959) as Pat Wheeler, his final film. On TV he was best known as Major Seth Adams on the series "Wagon Train" (1957-1960). He had also appeared as guest star on the TV series: "General Electric Theatre"; "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars" and "Suspense." He died suddenly of a heart attack on November 5, 1960 while attending the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas for a personal appearance.
From Great Character Actors, Page 4.
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