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Edgar Kennedy
Edgar Livingston Kennedy (April 26, 1890 – November 9, 1948) was an American comedic character actor whose career spanned the silent and sound eras, appearing in more than five hundred films. Born in Monterey County, California to Canadian immigrants Neil Kennedy and Annie Quinn, he first pursued boxing before turning to vaudeville as a singer in musical comedy and light opera. After his film debut in 1911 he quickly became a staple of early Hollywood, working with legends such as Roscoe Arbuckle, Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers and W.C. Fields, and even serving as one of the original Keystone Cops. His burly physique initially landed him villainous parts, but by the 1920s he had honed a distinct comedic style known as the “slow burn,” in which he would let frustration build visibly, rubbing his hand over his bald head and face before exploding in exasperated outbursts. This trademark appeared in memorable moments such as the lemonade‑vendor scene in Duck Soup (1933) and in the “Average Man” series of short subjects that RKO‑Pathe marketed for seventeen years, each ending with Kennedy looking directly at the camera to deliver his iconic slow‑burn stare. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s he became the go‑to “hot‑head” for studios, playing irascible cops, detectives, prison wardens, moving men and even a philosophical bartender in The Sin of Harold Diddlebock (1947). He also directed several two‑reel comedies for Hal Roach and appeared as a straight man for British comic Will Hay in Hey! Hey! USA (1938). Kennedy’s influence on domestic situation comedy anticipated later television sitcoms, and his prolific output made him a beloved figure whose exasperated expressions still resonate. He died of throat cancer at the Motion Picture Hospital in 1948 and was interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.
Biography, Career & Filmography
Learn more about Edgar Kennedy, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Edgar Kennedy rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.
Given Name: Edgar Livingston Kennedy
Born: Monterey County, California, U.S.
Citizenship: American
Birthday: April 26, 1890
Occupations: Actor, Comedian, Director
Years Active: 1911-1948
Spouses: Patricia Violet Allwyn
External Links and Streaming Options
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Movies Featuring Edgar Kennedy
A Star Is Born
True Confession
Bangville Police
Mabel’s Dramatic Career
Mabel’s New Hero
Fatty Joins the Force
A Flirt’s Mistake
Little Billy’s Triumph
A Film Johnnie
Tango Tangles
His Favorite Pastime
Cruel, Cruel Love
Caught in a Cabaret
The Rounders
Gentlemen of Nerve
Dough and Dynamite
The Noise of Bombs
Leading Lizzie Astray
Mabel and Fatty’s Wash Day
Miss Fatty’s Seaside Lovers
Fatty’s Plucky Pup
His Bitter Pill
Madcap Ambrose
Yankee Doodle in Berlin
Love and Rubbish
The Speed Kings
A Thief Catcher
The Star Boarder
The Knockout
Mabel’s Busy Day
Ambrose’s First Falsehood
Fatty’s New Role
Mabel’s Wilful Way
Hearts and Flowers
The Gusher
Making a Living
Getting Acquainted
Wished on Mabel
A Muddy Romance
Tillie’s Punctured Romance
That Little Band Of Gold
Fatty and Mabel at the San Diego Exposition
Mabel at the Wheel
Twenty Minutes of Love
Fatty’s Tintype Tangle
Mabel’s Busy Day
Fatty’s New Role
Mabel’s Wilful Way
Making a Living
Wished on Mabel
Fatty’s Tintype Tangle
The Boy Friend
Cosmo Jones, Crime Smasher
Paths to Paradise
There’s One Born Every Minute
The Our Gang Story
The Silver Streak
It Happened Tomorrow
Feed ’em and Weep
Going Ga-Ga
The Falcon Strikes Back
From Soup to Nuts
All of Me
Westward Passage
In Old California
The Better ’Ole
The Marines Are Coming
Crazy House
You’re Darn Tootin’
My Dream Is Yours
Kid Millions
Murder on the Blackboard
Carnival Boat
Fifty Million Husbands
Perfect Day
Bad Company
Shivering Shakespeare
Heaven Only Knows
Oh! What a Nurse!
When the Wind Blows
Angora Love
Moan & Groan, Inc.
Private Snuffy Smith
Blondie in Society
Tillie and Gus
Li’l Abner
Little Orphan Annie
The Penguin Pool Murder
Hillbilly Blitzkrieg
The Black Doll
We’re Rich Again
Unaccustomed as We Are
King Kelly of the U.S.A.
It’s a Wonderful World
Welcome Danger
Peck’s Bad Boy with the Circus
The Head Guy
Girl Shock
Should Married Men Go Home?
Leave ’Em Laughing
Woman Wanted
They Had to See Paris
When’s Your Birthday?
When Comedy Was King
Unfaithfully Yours
Night Owls
Limousine Love
Dr. Christian Meets the Women
Dollar Dizzy
San Francisco
Looser Than Loose
Trent’s Last Case
Air Raid Wardens
Two Tars
The Finishing Touch
Quick Millions
Hitler’s Madman
Twentieth Century
Charlie McCarthy, Detective
Thieves
Professional Sweetheart
Robin Hood of El Dorado
Mad Holiday
Bacon Grabbers
Diplomaniacs
The Bride Comes Home
The Golden Age of Comedy
Rockabye
The Sin of Harold Diddlebock
The First Seven Years
Three Men on a Horse
All Teed Up
Scarlet River
Hold ’Em Jail
Dummy Ache
Hollywood Hotel
Money Means Nothing
Living on Velvet
Super-Sleuth
Small Town Girl
Hey! Hey! USA
Career Timeline
Track the complete movie timeline of Edgar Kennedy, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.
1943
Cosmo Jones, Crime Smasher
Police Chief Murphy
The Falcon Strikes Back
Smiley Dugan
Crazy House
Judge
Air Raid Wardens
Joe Bledsoe
Hitler’s Madman
Nepomuk - the Hermit
1942
There’s One Born Every Minute
Mayor Moe Carson
In Old California
Kegs McKeever
Private Snuffy Smith
Sgt. Ed Cooper
Hillbilly Blitzkrieg
Sgt. Homer Gatling
1938
The Black Doll
Sheriff Renick
Peck’s Bad Boy with the Circus
Arthur Bailey
Hey! Hey! USA
Bugs Leary
1937
A Star Is Born
True Confession
When’s Your Birthday?
Mr. Basscombe
Hollywood Hotel
Callaghan
Super-Sleuth
Police Lt. Garrison
1936
San Francisco
Sheriff
Robin Hood of El Dorado
Sheriff Judd
Mad Holiday
Donovan
Three Men on a Horse
Harry, the Bartender
Dummy Ache
Edgar
Small Town Girl
Captain Mack
1934
The Silver Streak
O'Brien
All of Me
Guard (uncredited)
The Marines Are Coming
Sgt. Buck Martin
Kid Millions
Herman Wilson
Murder on the Blackboard
Detective Donahue
We’re Rich Again
Healy, Process Server
King Kelly of the U.S.A.
Happy Moran
Twentieth Century
Oscar McGonigle
Money Means Nothing
Herbert Green
1933
Tillie and Gus
Judge
Professional Sweetheart
Kelsey
Diplomaniacs
Chairman - Peace Conference
Scarlet River
Sam Gilroy
1932
Westward Passage
Elmer
Carnival Boat
Baldy
Little Orphan Annie
Daddy Warbucks
The Penguin Pool Murder
Officer Donovan
Rockabye
Water Wagon Driver (uncredited)
Hold ’Em Jail
Warden Elmer Jones
1930
Fifty Million Husbands
Officer Kennedy
Shivering Shakespeare
Kennedy the Cop (uncredited)
When the Wind Blows
Kennedy the Cop (uncredited)
The Head Guy
Station Master Kennedy (uncredited)
Girl Shock
Fiancee's Father
Night Owls
Officer Kennedy
Dollar Dizzy
Quimby the Lawyer
Looser Than Loose
Night Club Patron
Thieves
The First Seven Years
Kennedy the Cop (uncredited)
All Teed Up
Thelma's Father
1929
Going Ga-Ga
Cop
Perfect Day
Uncle Edgar
Angora Love
Landlord
Moan & Groan, Inc.
Kennedy the Cop (uncredited)
Unaccustomed as We Are
Officer Kennedy
Welcome Danger
SFPD Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
They Had to See Paris
Ed Eggers (uncredited)
Trent’s Last Case
Inspector Murch
Bacon Grabbers
Collis P. Kennedy
1928
The Boy Friend
The Cop
Feed ’em and Weep
From Soup to Nuts
You’re Darn Tootin’
Should Married Men Go Home?
Golfer (uncredited)
Leave ’Em Laughing
Cop
Limousine Love
The Husband, Mr Glenders
Two Tars
Motorist
The Finishing Touch
Cop (as Ed Kennedy)
1915
Mabel and Fatty’s Wash Day
The cafe waiter (uncredited)
Miss Fatty’s Seaside Lovers
Suitor
Fatty’s Plucky Pup
Shell Game Operator
Fatty’s New Role
Handout-Giver (uncredited)
Mabel’s Wilful Way
Fatty's Pal
Wished on Mabel
Cop
That Little Band Of Gold
Diner / Man in Audience (uncredited)
Fatty and Mabel at the San Diego Exposition
1st Street Crowd Participant (uncredited)
Fatty’s Tintype Tangle
Edgar
Fatty’s New Role
Handout-Giver (uncredited)
Mabel’s Wilful Way
Fatty's Pal
Wished on Mabel
Cop
Fatty’s Tintype Tangle
Edgar
1914
A Flirt’s Mistake
Rajah
Little Billy’s Triumph
A Film Johnnie
Director (uncredited)
Tango Tangles
Dance Hall Manager (uncredited)
His Favorite Pastime
Tough Guy in Bar
Cruel, Cruel Love
Butler
Caught in a Cabaret
Cafe Proprietor (uncredited)
The Rounders
(uncredited)
Gentlemen of Nerve
Policeman
Dough and Dynamite
Striking Baker
The Noise of Bombs
Police Chief
Leading Lizzie Astray
The Slicker's Chauffeur
A Thief Catcher
Crook (uncredited)
The Star Boarder
Landlady's Husband (uncredited)
The Knockout
Cyclone Flynn (uncredited)
Mabel’s Busy Day
Tough Hot Dog Customer (uncredited)
Ambrose’s First Falsehood
Café Proprietor
Making a Living
Wreck Bystander (uncredited)
Getting Acquainted
Policeman (uncredited)
Tillie’s Punctured Romance
Restaurant Owner / Banks' Butler (uncredited)
Mabel at the Wheel
Spectator in Grandstand (uncredited)
Twenty Minutes of Love
Lover
Mabel’s Busy Day
Tough Hot Dog Customer (uncredited)
Making a Living
Wreck Bystander (uncredited)
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