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Charles Halton
Charles Halton (March 16, 1876 – April 16, 1959) was an American character actor whose prolific career spanned more than five decades, and he appeared in over 180 films, making him one of the most recognizable typecast faces of classic Hollywood. Trained at the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts, he made his Broadway debut in 1901 and went on to perform in roughly thirty‑five stage productions, honing a stern, officious demeanor that would define his screen persona. During the summer of 1911 he joined the summer stock cast at Denver’s Elitch Theatre, gaining valuable experience that prepared him for the transition to motion pictures in the early 1920s. From that point onward, his thinning hair, rimless glasses, and no‑nonsense expression landed him countless roles as bureaucrats, attorneys, judges, and meddlesome neighbors who frequently declared, “I’m sorry but that’s my job,” while attempting to drive “immoral influences” from their communities. Notable performances include the sardonic Dr. Glass in the Marx Brothers’ Room Service (1938), the meticulous bank examiner Mr. Carter in Frank Capra’s timeless classic It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), and the Polish theatre producer Dobosh in Ernst Lubitsch’s wartime comedy To Be or Not to Be (1942). He also appeared as a county official in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941) and, against type, portrayed a kindly radio storyteller in Enemy of Women (1944). Although his film output slowed in the 1950s, Halton adapted to television, guest‑starring in several series before ending his screen career with the teen drama High School Confidential (1958). He retired that year, and on April 16, 1959, he succumbed to hepatitis in Los Angeles at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable character work that continues to be celebrated by classic film enthusiasts.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Charles Halton, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Charles Halton rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Charles Halton
Born: Washington, D.C.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: March 16, 1876
Occupations: Actor
Years Active: 1901-1958
Spouses: Lelah Halton
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Movies Featuring Charles Halton
The Westerner
There’s One Born Every Minute
The Man with Nine Lives
Whispering Ghosts
Shadows in the Night
My Dear Secretary
It Happened Tomorrow
You Can’t Escape Forever
The Moonlighter
Wilson
Unholy Partners
A Slight Case of Larceny
The Smiling Ghost
The Town Went Wild
Stranger on the Third Floor
In Old California
Tobacco Road
Young People
Lillian Russell
Because of Him
Midnight Manhunt
Behind the News
If You Knew Susie
Here Comes the Groom
One Foot in Heaven
Million Dollar Baby
Gasoline Alley
The Doctor Takes a Wife
The Nevadan
Honor Among Lovers
Hideout
Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet
Lucky Partners
Lady Scarface
Across the Pacific
Look Who’s Laughing
Carrie
Rationing
Gold Is Where You Find It
Room Service
20 Mule Team
The Lady Is Willing
Sing Me a Love Song
The Mad Miss Manton
The Girl Downstairs
They Made Her a Spy
The Spoilers
Lady of the Tropics
Swanee River
Charlie Chan at Treasure Island
Virginia City
Dodge City
The Saint in New York
Up in Arms
H.M. Pulham, Esq.
Mr. District Attorney
Three Girls About Town
The Lady from Cheyenne
When Willie Comes Marching Home
Friendly Persuasion
Indianapolis Speedway
Stolen Holiday
The Adventures of Martin Eden
Nancy Drew… Reporter
Pick a Star
I Love You Again
Black Legion
Jesse James
The Thin Man Goes Home
Summer Holiday
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Three Little Girls in Blue
Address Unknown
Penrod and His Twin Brother
Woman Chases Man
My Sister Eileen
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
She Went to the Races
The Great Mr. Nobody
Blonde Inspiration
Penrod’s Double Trouble
Talent Scout
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Whispering Footsteps
No Place to Go
Dead End
Little Nellie Kelly
The Affairs of Dobie Gillis
More Than a Secretary
The Ghost Comes Home
Dr. Cyclops
Calling All Husbands
A Man to Remember
Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife
Dust Be My Destiny
Laughter
Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die
Come and Get It
Ready, Willing and Able
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Charles Halton, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1953
The Moonlighter
Clemmons Usqubaugh
A Slight Case of Larceny
Willard Maibrunn
The Affairs of Dobie Gillis
The Dean (uncredited)
1950
The Nevadan
Red Sand Bank Manager (uncredited)
When Willie Comes Marching Home
Mr. Fettles (uncredited)
1948
My Dear Secretary
Mr. Kilbride (uncredited)
If You Knew Susie
Pringle (uncredited)
Summer Holiday
Mr. Lipska (uncredited)
1945
Midnight Manhunt
Henry Miggs
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Mr. Barker (uncredited)
She Went to the Races
Dr. Collyer
1944
Shadows in the Night
Doc Stacey
It Happened Tomorrow
Doctor (uncredited)
Wilson
Colonel House
The Town Went Wild
Mr. Tweedle
Rationing
Ezra Weeks
Up in Arms
Dr. Freyheisen
The Thin Man Goes Home
R.T. Tatum (uncredited)
Address Unknown
Censorial Pipsqueak
1942
There’s One Born Every Minute
Trumbull
Whispering Ghosts
Mark Gruber
You Can’t Escape Forever
Charley Gates (uncredited)
In Old California
Mr. Hayes
Across the Pacific
A.V. Smith
The Lady Is Willing
Dr. Jones (uncredited)
The Spoilers
Stuve
The Adventures of Martin Eden
Mr. Cotton
My Sister Eileen
Mr. Hawkins - Newspaper Editor (uncredited)
Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die
Dan Crane
1941
Unholy Partners
Phil Kaper
The Smiling Ghost
Ames Bentley
Tobacco Road
Mayor
One Foot in Heaven
Haskins (uncredited)
Million Dollar Baby
John Parkinson
Lady Scarface
Mr. Pinchback
Look Who’s Laughing
Cudahy
H.M. Pulham, Esq.
Walter Kaufman
Mr. District Attorney
Hazelton - Barrett's Aide
Three Girls About Town
Doc - Coroner
The Lady from Cheyenne
Judge
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Mr. Deever
The Great Mr. Nobody
Mr. Bixby
Blonde Inspiration
Mr. Packer (uncredited)
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime
Rufus Smith (auctioneer)
1940
The Westerner
The Man with Nine Lives
Doctor in Front Row in Final Scene (uncredited)
Stranger on the Third Floor
Albert Meng
Young People
Moderator
Lillian Russell
Dr' Dobbins
Behind the News
Neil Saunders
The Doctor Takes a Wife
Dr. Streeter
Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet
Sensenbrenner
Lucky Partners
Chamber of Commerce Official (uncredited)
20 Mule Team
Henry Adams
Virginia City
Ralston - Virginia City Banker (uncredited)
I Love You Again
Mr. Leonard Harkspur Sr. (uncredited)
Little Nellie Kelly
Second Judge (uncredited)
The Ghost Comes Home
Mr. Stark - Steamship Official (uncredited)
Dr. Cyclops
Dr. Rupert Bulfinch
Calling All Husbands
Hadley Weaver
1939
They Made Her a Spy
Beldon
Lady of the Tropics
Manager of Rubber Company
Swanee River
Pond
Charlie Chan at Treasure Island
Uncle Redley
Dodge City
Surrett's Lawyer
Indianapolis Speedway
Mayor
Nancy Drew… Reporter
Newspaper Publicity Man (uncredited)
Jesse James
Heywood
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Printer (uncredited)
No Place to Go
Ben Bradford
Dust Be My Destiny
Pawnshop Owner (uncredited)
1938
Gold Is Where You Find It
Turner (uncredited)
Room Service
Dr. Glass
The Mad Miss Manton
Popsie (uncredited)
The Girl Downstairs
Ambassador (uncredited)
The Saint in New York
Vincent Nather
Penrod and His Twin Brother
Mr. Bitts
Penrod’s Double Trouble
Mr. Bitts
A Man to Remember
Atty. Clyde Perkins (uncredited)
Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife
Monsieur de la Coste (uncredited)
1937
Stolen Holiday
Le Grande
Pick a Star
Julius Klawheimer
Black Legion
Osgood
Woman Chases Man
Mr. Judd
Talent Scout
M.B. Carter
Dead End
Whitey (Uncredited)
Ready, Willing and Able
Brockman
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